Commodore Erin “Tank” Morris
Puts His Community First The 65th Annual Beaufort Water Festival
“What A Beautiful Sight”
Postponed To July 2021
story by WENDY NILSEN POLLITZER
photos by SHAWN HILL @SK Signs, Designs & Marketing
Erin “Tank” Morris has many memories of Beaufort’s beloved Water Festival. Born and raised in Beaufort, he’s been participating in the annual event since birth. Last year, Tank was presented the title of Commodore, the most prestigious designation in Beaufort County. He was ready. He’d been waiting for the 65th Annual Beaufort Water Festival, “What a Beautiful Sight,” his entire life. Like all the Commodores before him, Tank is responsible for the execution of a safe and memorable 10-day tribute to the community. But this year is 2020, a year unlike any in our living history. It’s the year of COVID-19. As responsible leaders of Beaufort, the Annual Water Festival’s Executive Committee, its Board of Directors, and Morris’ Committee postponed this year’s event to July 2021 for the safety of our community.
A press release dated May 5, 2020, from the Annual Beaufort Water Festival Board of Directors stated:
Considering the recommendations from the Center for Disease Control, health care professionals, and ultimately, the safety and health of us all, we feel it is necessary to postpone the 65th Annual Beaufort Water Festival and all associated sports and water & air events until July 2021. This decision was not made easily and is driven by the utmost concern for our community, partners, and dedicated staff of volunteers.
“It was a public safety concern. We had support from artists, performers, booking agents, and especially our volunteers and sponsors,” explains Tank. “The silver lining is that we have an entire year to plan for next year’s event.”
Tank is a staff sergeant with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office. He and his wife, Megan, have two children, Hunter and Hannah Grace. This is Tank’s 16th year with the Beaufort Water Festival. He worked his first Water Festival as a staff member in 2005 under Commodore Richard Norris for the 50th Annual event. He was assigned duties in public safety, production, and was a volunteer in the park’s crew. One of his fondest memories that year and subsequent years to come was the duty of “throwing ice.” In the heat of July, every Water Festival staff member begs to join the train of passing 40-pound bags of ice to a pallet that gets transported to various tents. It’s a tradition.
And when Tank was a young man, his mom asked if he could set up her chairs in the park for her and a friend before the evening shows. He’s done it every year since—another tradition.
That’s what Water Festival is … a tradition. It’s an event like no other in the Southeast that brings our community together with diverse entertainment, sporting events, a parade, an artist market, Lowcountry fare, and much more. We unite for those ten days as one Beaufort. Clubs, organizations, businesses, schools, and churches push leaders on beds on Bay Street, slap paddles in the river to propel their rafts, show their patriotism as the Marine Corps Band leads the dynamic firework display, and cheer for their neighbors as they entertain us with their talent. The Beaufort community radiates with joy as families and friends pause to recognize each other. July is traditionally the month to reset and pay homage to the land and water we love. And even if the 65th Annual Beaufort Water Festival is postponed until 2021, we can still celebrate Beaufort while social distancing.
“We may not have a physical festival this year, but that doesn’t mean we can’t continue to support our local businesses and sponsors. We’ve all struggled this year, so maybe we take this time to remember why Water Festival is so special,” smiles Tank. “My dad owned a small business. My in-laws own a small business. My wife runs a local Foundation. We’re all in this together.”
This year’s headlining act was supposed to be Rodney Atkins. One of his songs, “Watching You,” is a ballad about the bond of a father and a son released in 2006, the year his son Hunter was born.
“It’s always been a favorite song of mine. I’m disappointed I won’t be able to see it live this year, but the words of the song remind me what Water Festival is truly about,” explains Tank.
Tank’s son Hunter has been watching his dad volunteer as a staff member of the Water Festival since he was in diapers. Hunter, 14, has been volunteering for several years alongside his dad. Two years ago, he earned the distinction of becoming a staff member and received his first staff badge and t-shirt.
“I couldn’t be a more proud Papa. That’s what Water Festival means to me … family.”
And Beaufort is just that, a large family. Families protect one another. They support one another. They take care of their home. They are stronger in times of adversity.
The year 2020 will be marked with an asterisk on Water Festival’s ancestry. Though the annual event with not take place in Henry Chamber’s Waterfront Park, it doesn’t mean Water Festival won’t be in our hearts. We are a community wed to tradition, and this year we unite in the institution of health and safety. Thank you to the Executive Committee, Board of Directors, and Tank Morris for putting us first.
