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TO CELEBRATE THE SIXTY-THIRD BEAUFORT WATER FESTIVAL TO BE HELD ON JULY 13-22, 2018, AND TO HONOR THOSE WHO ORGANIZE, SPONSOR, VOLUNTEER FOR, AND PARTICIPATE IN THE FESTIVAL.
Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that the Beaufort Water Festival will hold its sixty-third annual festival extravaganza from July 13 through 22, 2018; and
Whereas, once a year in mid-summer, the sea island that holds Beaufort sets the stage for one of the South's largest outdoor events, an event that has consistently been successful and grown more significant since its inauguration in July 1956; and
Whereas, in spite of its growth, the Beaufort Water Festival is still a community-wide, nonprofit venture, and the Lions Club has taken responsibility every year for organizing the festival's parade; and
Whereas, from the early days of the festival, when the cost to attend the beauty pageant was fifty cents and a dollar per couple to attend the Water Festival Ball, now the Commodore's Ball, the Festival has drawn increasing numbers of participants to Beaufort from other parts of the State and nation; and
Whereas, during those first years, all events were held on or adjacent to the municipal parking lot, and in case of inclement weather, inclement because the word "rain" is never used during the festival, the pageant would move indoors to the Beaufort Elementary School, and the balls into the Community Club; and
Whereas, now over four hundred volunteers work long hours to bring outstanding events to the Festival, including first-class entertainment at reasonable prices due to the generosity of local sponsors; and
Whereas, the festival arts and crafts market opens on the Promenade at Waterfront Park everyday during the festival, offering a selection of artisanship from craftsmen of the Lowcountry and beyond who provide a visual feast for the eyes; and
Whereas, on Friday, July 13, the opening ceremony will provide entertainment from the Parris Island Marine Band and a bountiful display of fireworks at dusk at the Waterfront Park; and
Whereas, events during the week include activities for children, teens, couples, and families: a raft race and a bed race; tournaments for bocce, badminton, and children's toad fishing; shrimp boat tours; a ski show, a teen dance with DJ Donna and a river dance; a talent show; an Air Show; and the Water Festival Grand Parade; and
Whereas, Concert in the Park will present such performers as Earl Dibbles, Jr.; Granger Smith; country entertainer John King; rising country act Walker County; and Motown Monday with Deaz-Guyz; and
Whereas, the festival would not be complete without a Children's Day featuring games, activities, shows, bounce houses, and prizes; and two of the favorite festival events are always the Lowcountry supper and the Commodore's Ball; and
Whereas, the festival ends every year with the graceful Blessing of the Fleet and Parade of Boats, sponsored by the past commodores of the Beaufort Water Festival on the Beaufort River in front of the Waterfront Park Seawall; and
Whereas, the commodore for the 2018 festival is Stacey Canaday, the wife of Chris Canaday, who previously served in that role. They are only the second couple to have served as commodores; and
Whereas, the House of Representatives of the State of South Carolina commends the fine efforts of the many people who are making the 2018 Beaufort Water Festival a success, and the members value the significant impact which the shores of Beaufort have in attracting tourists to the Palmetto State. Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, celebrate the sixty-third Beaufort Water Festival to be held on July 13-22, 2018, and honor those who organize, sponsor, volunteer for, and participate in the festival.
Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Commodore Stacey Canaday.
This web page was last updated on April 25, 2018 at 10:22 AM