Watermen’s Wave Lowcountry Boot Trail
TAKING BIG STEPS THROUGH LOWCOUNTRY CULTURE
story by JEANNE REYNOLDS photos courtesy of BAHA and BEAUFORT RESIDENTS
“What’s up with the giant boots?”
You can’t blame visitors (and even some locals) for asking that question when they started seeing the three-foot tall colorfully painted watermen’s wellies around town a little more than a year ago. After all, they might not know Beaufort County is made up of 68 islands, and that at high tide, the town is as much water as it is land. And it’s likely they don’t realize the vital role oystermen, crabbers, shrimpers, fishermen, and other watermen have played in the area’s culture — not to mention its economy — for centuries.
So what better way to recognize the contributions of generations of watermen (and yes, waterwomen) than stepping into their boots at some of the area’s most popular and iconic locations?
That was Ashlee Houck’s vision not long after she joined the Beaufort Area Hospitality Association (BAHA) as its president and chief executive officer in 2020. She arrived in Beaufort from Pennsylvania the year before with her husband, a degree in psychology, and a resume in the hospitality and tourism industry.
“I’ve always had a passion for the hospitality industry, with nearly 20 years of experience spanning restaurants to hotels,” says Ashlee. “I also spent three years as the director of a nonprofit focused on sustainable trail building and special events, where I gained a deep understanding of the impact tourism has on a community.”
That background made her the right fit for her role at BAHA. And it wasn’t long before she saw an opportunity to combine the organization’s goal of serving and strengthening the area’s hospitality and tourism industry with her personal passion as an artist.
“I’ve seen different local arts projects throughout the country, such as painted shorebirds in Maryland,” Ashlee says. “Our project was created to coincide with the Beaufort Oyster Festival, so the watermen’s boots were the perfect fit for an art installation here.”
The Watermen’s Wave Lowcountry Boot Trail was born.
“The concept behind this art installation is to celebrate the history and culture of the watermen in the Lowcountry region,” Ashlee explains. “Watermen, also known as crabbers or fishermen, have played a crucial role in shaping the coastal communities of South Carolina for generations. Their livelihoods revolve around harvesting seafood from the surrounding waters and their unique way of life has been passed down through families for centuries.”
The BAHA approached the project “from the boots up,” according to Ashlee. She contracted with a company in Nebraska in June 2023 to manufacture 12 pairs of plain white boots (“We only planned to use 11 but wanted a spare pair ‘just in case,’” Ashlee says.) that arrived six months later. Meanwhile, the BAHA contacted corporate sponsors and partners who might be interested in displaying a pair of boots.
Once on board, the boot sponsors could select their own artist or use one recommended by the BAHA. The boots look massively heavy but are actually very light because they’re made from fiberglass. The artists created their designs using acrylic paint, topped by a marine-based sealant to protect them. Visitors can expect to see vibrant colors, intricate designs, and meaningful symbols reflecting the rich heritage and traditions of the Lowcountry region.
The first boots were unveiled at the Beaufort Oyster Festival in January 2024. After that, a new pair was launched every few weeks until all 11 pairs were in place by last August to complete the Watermen’s Wave Lowcountry Boot Trail.
“It’s not just a fun little art project,” Ashlee says. “It honors watermen and showcases some of the businesses and attractions iconic to our area, including education, history, and hospitality. Displaying the boots at various establishments encourages visitors to explore different areas and discover hidden gems in the community.”
The BAHA and the Beaufort Visitors Center have teamed up to encourage and incentivize visitors and locals alike to travel the trail with a scavenger hunt approach. People who take pictures of the boots — ideally with themselves, family members, or friends “wearing” them — and post them on social media tagging the Boot Trail can collect small prizes when they visit all 11 sites.
And is it working?
“It’s completely blown up!” Ashlee says. “It’s brought joy to the community and also an activity they ca
n enjoy. And to the watermen’s community, they mean so much more than just colorful art. People want more boots.”
So … is the Boot Trail really complete?
“There’s always room for more boots,” Ashlee says, encouraging anyone interested in sponsoring a pair to contact the BAHA.
“The community is becoming more interested in public art,” she adds. “I’d also love to see more murals in town. Hospitality has so many layers, and art is an attraction. I love the happiness behind it.”.
BOOT TRAIL STEP-BY-STEP
Trekking any trail means taking one step at a time. Here’s when and where these boots dug in their heels and the talented local painters who made them into beautiful works of art:
• March 25, 2024 — “Echoes of the Shellring: A Toast to Community” by Dustbone at Shellring Ale Works
• April 1, 2024 — “Shellebration” by Donna Raines in downtown Beaufort
• April 18, 2024 — “Tides of Labor Amongst Lighted Sands” by Aki Kato on the Hunting Island pier
• April 25, 2024 — “Guardian of the Marsh” by Alyssa Castelluccio at the Port Royal Cypress Wetlands
• June 5, 2024 — “Whispers of the Tide” by Amiri Farris at the Technical College of the Lowcountry
• June 13, 2024 — “Carolina in the Morning” by Danie Connolly at the Beaufort Inn
• June 21, 2024 — “Shrimpy Shores” by Tiffany Jones at Moe’s in Beaufort Town Center
• July 11, 2024 — “Lowcountry Wild” by Lindsey Spears at SpringHill Suites
• July 26, 2024 — “Tides of Toil: An Ode to Watermen” by Ashlee Houck at Sea Eagle Market
• July 30, 2024 — “Beaufort Boots” by Danie Connolly in downtown Beaufort
• August 27, 2024 — “Magnolia Skys” by Megan Carew at the Beaufort Arsenal
WALK THE BOOT TRAIL AND WIN PRIZES!
Tracking down all 11 pairs of watermen boots on the Boot Trail is not only a fun and educational way to explore the Beaufort area, you can also win prizes for completing the trek (pro tip: It’s a great way to entertain energetic kids).
Here’s how:
1. Stop by the Beaufort Visitors Center at 713 Craven Street and pick up a card with clues.
2. Find and visit all 11 pairs of boots.
3. Take a picture in the boots.
4. Post your pictures on Facebook or Instagram and tag #SCBootTrail.
5. Show your pictures at the Visitors Center.
6. Receive a Watermen’s Wave boot prize.
Visit https://bfthospitality.com/lowcountry-boot-trail for maps and more clues.
