COMMODORE ERIN “TANK” MORRIS

story by MEGAN THIBAULT MORRIS
photos by CHARLOTTE BERKELEY

Getting settled into summer means it is a special time of year in beautiful Beaufort – it’s time for the 65th Annual Beaufort Water Festival! As First Lady of the Festival, I share the utmost gratitude on behalf of the Commodore and Past Commodores for all of Beaufort’s support to continue to make it happen.

While the Beaufort Water Festival is traditionally an annual occurrence, it’s been two years since we all gathered together for these fun events. This is the only time there has ever been more than a year between the Festival and a Commodore with a two-year tenure. While this may sound like plenty of extra time to formulate plans, the reality is that this year’s amazing crew has planned most of the 65th Beaufort Water Festival in the last three months since the “Gathering Restriction” was lifted. Yes, you read that right, only three months. Cramming almost a year of planning in such a short time, when the world is trying to get back to a sense of normalcy, is a major feat and also the reason it was so important to take on the task.

“Beaufort deserves this opportunity to come together and celebrate our town,” says Commodore Erin “Tank” Morris, “We were days away from having to make the same dreaded decision to postpone just as in March 2020, but we were holding out hope. Then the tides turned and the gathering restrictions were lifted. Our team came together, and we became determined to do whatever it took to bring the Water Festival to the community in 2021. It’s hard to express how proud I am of everyone who has worked hard, given generously, and offered their support in a myriad of ways.”

Perhaps the theme for this Festival, “What a Beautiful Sight!” is a great way to sum it up. It not only describes our beautiful town, downtown park, and waterways but in even more ways than we expected, it will be a beautiful sight for everyone to come together and have fun as a community again. The full range of events during the 10-day Festival is slated to take place, and several sporting events led up to this year’s Opening Ceremonies. There is something for everyone and lots of ways to cherish this special time.

“Growing up in Beaufort, I loved a lot of the Water Festival events, especially the Ski Show when I was a kid,” says Commodore Morris. “Now it’s all so much fun that I can’t pick a single favorite event, but I do love all nightly events and bringing such a high-quality concert experience to our small town.”

In fact, this year’s headliner of Concert in the Park is country music star Rodney Atkins, and among many of his chart-topping hits is a song about the bond between a father and son, which reminds the Commodore of his son, Hunter. And there are other special moments that will be uniquely “65th.” After years as a young adult enjoying Tuesday night bands, the Commodore brings back a tropical flair, with steel drums included, for an Island Time theme. Friday night has a new name, “Rockin’ the River,” and of course, his favorite ski show is on the docket.

The crew is finalizing all the details, printing tickets, and rolling t-shirts (make sure you get one!) to get ready for the crowds. This year’s t-shirt design features a colorful scene of a concert from 2016 and is based on a photo that the Commodore took himself. He wanted to capture the moment from the side of the stage when the crowd was electric, the night sky was setting in, and the backdrop was filled with palmetto trees and the Palmetto Pride shrimp boat. To him, that moment encompassed everything he loves about Water Festival. It’s all about the people who show up to enjoy these moments – that’s what drives the whole crew.

There are hundreds of community members who volunteer to make up the crew – yes, it’s an all-volunteer staff – and do a variety of roles to put on the Water Festival. If you see them working and helping, please thank them. The Commodore and I are always in awe of this team, and it’s especially true this year. We could not have better folks by our side. We are really a Water Festival family. And our family works hard to make sure your family can create memorable moments too.

Thanks to the generosity of sponsors, the crew has the means to plan these events and all the logistics involved. Because of their support, ticket prices remain reasonable so as many people can join in on the fun as possible. Many events are free for the community, so be sure to check out the full schedule on the Water Festival website (www.bftwaterfestival.com).

We can’t wait to see you all at the 65th Annual Beaufort Water Festival July 16-25! Remember, Opening Ceremonies starts us off with the ever-entertaining Parris Island Marine Corps Band and fireworks to light up the night sky. What a beautiful sight indeed!

Fun Tips for Water Festival

• Each event encourages participants to dress accordingly for an added element of fun! Show your team spirit at the sporting events, dust off your cowboy hat for the Concert in the Park, wear your dancing shoes for Motown Monday, don something tropical for Island Time Tuesday, wear your 65th Festival t-shirt for free entry to the Talent Show, bring a bib for Lowcountry Supper, and summon your inner rockstar for the Guns-N-Roses tribute band at Rockin’ the River.
• Calling all cheerleaders! Even if you aren’t participating in the Sporting events, it’s so fun to come to watch Bocce, Badminton, Raft Races, and Kid’s Toad Fishing Tournaments. Cheer on your friends or maybe the team with the best costume. Take in the sights around at the Sponsors Expo, Non-Profit Expo, and Arts & Crafts Market. See friends from the past and make friends anew as we all come together this year.
• One of the best kept but growing secrets of the Water Festival is the Bed Race! Bay Street closes, and teams race each other “down the hill” – yes, on old hospital beds. If that doesn’t sound silly enough, spectators line the streets and spray water on those who run by. It is always full of laughs, ending with the Commodore and Pirettes and a big surprise! (Read more on pages 18-20)
• Each year, the Commodore chooses a Grand Marshall of the Water Festival Grand Parade. This year, it is not a single person, but rather a whole group of our Hometown Heroes. From the medical staff to first responders and teachers, we recognize them as the heart of our community. Watch the parade and give them a big wave and thanks!
• Bringing your blanket and chairs is part of the Water Festival tradition. Yes, many folks bring them early in the day to claim their desired spot, so feel free to do so! The park does close for one hour before every nightly event, so make sure you put your chair down before then. For all 17 years of his volunteering for Water Festival, the Commodore put out his mom’s chair in a special spot every day – it’s another one of those great traditions.
• Have an empty can? Exchange it at a designated station to get a free ticket to use towards your next beverage. This is to benefit the Camp Can Do by the MUSC Burned Children’s Fund, which supports the recovery of pediatric burn patients. The collection of cans during the Festival raises hundreds of dollars. This is one of the many Civic Organizations that help with, and benefit from, Water Festival each year. Be sure to thank those groups, ask them about their organization’s mission, and know you are helping others around the community by participating in Water Festival events.
• There are shrimp boat tours each day, and you can learn all about the local shrimping industry, another true Beaufort tradition. The boat is parked along the seawall and makes for a great photo opportunity! You will also see the selfie station for another place to snap a photo. Don’t forget to tag the Annual Beaufort Water Festival and use #BftH2oFest in your posts.