PORT ROYAL SOUND FOUNDATION
THE WEEZIE GRAND OPENING
If you have driven through Okatie in the last several months, you’ve likely seen lots of activity on the Port Royal Sound Foundation’s (PRSF) expanding campus. The Foundation’s office has been renovated, and a new gathering place for the community has been built — The Weezie Educational Pavilion.
The Weezie is the perfect complement to the Foundation’s Maritime Center, which is the go-to place to learn about our beautiful Port Royal Sound.
Since 2014, the Maritime Center has welcomed nearly 200,000 visitors to enjoy the museum’s beautiful exhibits, learn about our area’s unique environment, see their live animals, and participate in experiential outdoor activities. The Weezie will help PRSF expand and enhance their popular educational programs. The thousands of students who visit the Maritime Center on field trips will enjoy the increased capacity and flexibility offered by The Weezie as will participants in their Pluff Mudder Summer Camp, the annual STEAM Festival, and countless other fun activities offered throughout the year.
The Weezie Educational Pavilion will be a perfect venue for PRSF’s popular annual events, including their Research Symposium, which convenes experts to collaborate and share their knowledge on the health of the Port Royal Sound. It will also provide a beautiful setting for PRSF’s 300+ person fundraiser, Night on the Sound (October 21, 2023) and allow PRSF to expand their event offerings to the community.
You can even reserve The Weezie for your special event. Centrally located in the middle of Beaufort County, this beautiful open-air pavilion will bring people together from the North and South of the Broad, as well as the surrounding region. With a total footprint of almost 10,000 square feet, an attached catering kitchen, bathrooms, and a patio overlooking the Chechessee River, it is the perfect venue for weddings, corporate appreciation events, fundraisers, receptions, and more. The Weezie was thoughtfully designed to face the water and provide unbeatable views of the Port Royal Sound — it truly makes a remarkable event space. For rental inquiries, visit www.portroyalsoundfoundation.org/event-rental/ or contact Marketing & Events Coordinator Sarah Walbert (SWalbert@PortRoyalSoundFoundation.org).
Why The Weezie? PRSF is grateful to its supporters for helping to make these exciting additions to their campus possible. Through the leadership and guidance of Ms. Lucile Walker Hays and Mrs. Katharine McBride of the Weezie Foundation (named in memory of Louise ‘Weezie’ Francis Walker – Lucile’s younger sister), their family foundation kickstarted fundraising efforts for the new pavilion in 2018.
Lucile, the original landowner of Spring Island, and her daughter Katharine are longtime residents of the Lowcountry. They are passionate about sharing their love of the Port Royal Sound area with the community. The Port Royal Sound Foundation is proud to name their beautiful new campus addition, The Weezie Educational Pavilion.
The Port Royal Sound Foundation is excited to celebrate the grand opening of The Weezie with you during two special events!
Don’t miss the fun! Buy your tickets now for MARSH MADNESS
and mark your calendars for a weekend of celebrating!
PRSF acknowledges and thanks the entire crew from Beaufort Construction and the architects of FWA Group for making the vision of The Weezie Educational Pavilion come to life.
For more information on rentals, attending the grand opening, or getting involved with the Port Royal Sound Foundation, please contact their administrative office (843) 645-7774 or visit PortRoyalSoundFoundation.org
Follow the Port Royal Sound Foundation on Facebook and Instagram for event information, program updates, fun animal facts, and more!
MARSH MADNESS, Friday, March 31st
Purchase tickets now for Marsh Madness at The Weezie on Friday, March 31st, from 6-9 p.m.
•Live entertainment provided by 20 Ride (a Zac Brown Tribute
band from Charlotte, NC)
•Catering by Hudson’s Seafood
•“March Madness” bracket-style “Lowcountry Lore” Trivia Tournament
•21+ only event. Tickets are $75/person and includes food and
an open bar (beer/wine).
Take the Marsh Madness celebration to the next level by participating in a “Lowcountry Lore” Trivia Tournament — just create a team (up to 4 people) and get creative with a fun team name. Entry into the trivia tournament is $100/team, and winners will get a PRSF trophy and tickets to next year’s Marsh Madness. Get tickets now and more information at PortRoyalSoundFoundtion.org/Marsh-Madness
FAMILY FUN DAY: Saturday, April 1st
The grand opening weekend continues with a FREE family fun day
on Saturday, April 1st, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
•Food trucks
•Live animal interactions
•Boat cruises aboard The Salty Dog, a 63’ powered Catamaran
