News Summary
The Beaufort Police Department has announced street closures for the annual Water Festival Parade. Downtown streets will be closed, and the Woods Memorial Bridge will also be inaccessible during the event. This year’s Water Festival starts on July 20 and will see changes due to promenade structural issues, impacting ticket sales and event locations. Despite challenges, the festival is set to continue its traditional festivities, ensuring a memorable celebration for the community.
Beaufort – The Beaufort Police Department has announced multiple street closures for the annual Water Festival Parade taking place on Saturday morning. Streets in downtown Beaufort will be closed from 9:45 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., creating potential traffic disruptions for drivers. The Woods Memorial Bridge will also be closed to vehicle traffic during this period, and drivers are urged to find alternate routes to avoid delays.
This year marks the 69th Beaufort Water Festival, happening from July 20 to July 30, 2025, and it is expected to attract around 70,000 visitors over its ten-day run. Todd Stowe is serving as this year’s festival commodore, tasked with overseeing events that celebrate Beaufort’s unique location, lifestyle, and history.
Due to structural issues identified with the promenade, the festival will undergo several changes, particularly affecting the festival’s centerpiece. It has been reported that deteriorating concrete pilings require the promenade to be closed. This is significant as the promenade has remained open since the park’s construction in the late 1970s.
In light of the safety concerns stemming from the promenade’s closure, festival organizers have decided to decrease ticket sales within the park by 10%. The annual grand wild white water raft race will also see a relocation, moving to Sands Beach in Port Royal instead of its traditional spot. Additionally, the children’s toad fishing tournament will shift to the boat launch area located at the opposite end of the park.
Despite the challenges posed by the structural issues, the festival will go ahead with its popular Lowcountry Supper. However, there will be a change in the entrance location for this event. Adjustments have also been made for the blessing of the boat fleet, where the priest will perform the ceremony from an 8-foot-tall platform because the promenade will no longer be available for this purpose.
Stowe has indicated that coordinating a festival of this size requires significant effort, especially with approximately 400 volunteers working on various aspects of the event. The need to adapt to the promenade closure was unplanned, contributing to the complexity of the festival’s logistics.
Alongside these changes, the Water Festival continues to include traditional activities, such as nightly music performances at Waterfront Park. Popular acts like Chris Janson and numerous tribute bands are scheduled to entertain festival-goers throughout the duration. The talent show is set to commence on Wednesday, July 19, 2025, at 7 p.m.
Originally, the opening ceremony was postponed due to adverse weather conditions, including rain and lightning. However, it is now back on schedule thanks to improved weather forecasts.
In conclusion, the Beaufort Water Festival is adapting to ensure safety while still delivering a celebratory experience for attendees. With changes in event locations and ticketing, the festival remains a beloved tradition that highlights the rich culture and community spirit of Beaufort.
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Additional Resources
- WTOC News
- Wikipedia: Beaufort Water Festival
- Island Packet
- Google Search: Beaufort Water Festival
- Explore Beaufort SC
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Beaufort, SC
- WJCL News
- Google News: Beaufort Water Festival 2025
Author: STAFF HERE BEAUFORT
The HERE Beaufort Staff Writers are a collaborative team of journalists, editors, and local contributors passionate about delivering accurate, timely information to the Beaufort community. As part of the HEREcity.com Network, which powers over 100 U.S. city sites including HEREcolumbia.com, our staff draws on collective experience in South Carolina journalism to cover everything from business sales and real estate developments to dining deals and community initiatives. Our Expertise and Background: Local Roots in Beaufort : Our team includes lifelong Beaufort residents and SC natives with deep knowledge of the area’s history, economy, and culture. We’ve covered key events like the recent sale of the historic Crofts Block Building, Beaufort’s equestrian heritage, and growth in local tech and education sectors (e.g., BeaufortTechnical College programs). Collective Experience: With over 50 combined years in journalism, our staff has backgrounds in print, digital media, and community reporting. We prioritize fact-based stories, drawing from sources like the Beaufort Chamber of Commerce, city government records, and on-the-ground interviews. Commitment to Quality: Every article is a group effort, involving research, editing, and verification to ensure reliability. We adhere to journalistic standards, citing credible sources and updating content as new details emerge.
