Beaufort International Film Festival
Photo courtesy of Beaufort International Film Festival
When: February 15-19, 2017
Where: USCB Center for the Arts
What It’s About: Every February, Beaufort is proud to be the host to what has been dubbed “best little film festival in the southeast”! The Beaufort International Film Festival is in its 11th year, with 2016 bringing in nearly 12,000 film lovers to attend this star studded event! This year they are offering 5 fun filled days of movie watching and star gazing! For a full list of movies, awards, famous attendees & more, please visit: https://www.beaufortfilmfestival.com
Photo courtesy of Town of Port Royal
When: February 24 & 25, 2017
Where: Paris Avenue, Old Village, Port Royal, SC
What It’s About: Friends of Caroline Hospice is a non-profit organization serving Beaufort County and its residents for over 35 years. Bands, Brews & BBQ is one of their premiere fundraising events! Held on Paris Avenue, the “Main Street” of Port Royal’s Old Village, this 2 day BBQ festival offers something for everyone! Friday night features the Wing Throw Down Party where you eat as many wings as you can handle while voting for the best! Saturday features the Boston Butts Competition where you enjoy the different styles and flavors while again choosing your favorite. Both days will feature other food items for sale, live entertainment & beer/wine for sale for those 21 & older. To purchase your tickets in advance and to find out more information, please visit: http://friendsofcarolinehospice.org
Photo courtesy of Town of Port Royal
When: April 15, 2017
Where: Paris Avenue, Old Village, Port Royal, SC
What It’s About: Port Royal is once again the backdrop to another delicious and fun-filled festival! The Soft Shell Crab Fest features the Lowcountry’s famous soft shell crabs served in a variety of styles by area chefs, as well as craft vendors, entertainment, a kids zone & more! The festival will also feature its annual Port Royal Crab Race where approximately 5,000 rubber crabs are “adopted” by festival attendees for a suggested $10 each. The crab will be dropped into Battery Creek & the owner of the winners will receive a cash prize. To adopt a crab, individuals should visit www.PortRoyalCrabRace.com. For more information regarding the festival, please visit: http://oldvillageportroyal.com/event_ssc.htm
Photo courtesy of MCAS Beaufort
When: April 29 & 30, 2017
Where: Marine Corps Air Station, Beaufort
What It’s About: Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort will host nearly 100,000 of its closest friends and neighbors at the MCAS Beaufort Air Show on April 29-30, 2017. There is no cost to the general public to attend the show. The show will showcase Naval aviation at its best with a demonstration by the United States Naval Flight Demonstration Team, the Blue Angels! For more information, please visit: http://www.beaufortairshow.com
Photo courtesy of Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce
When: May 5 & 7, 2017
Where: Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, Downtown Beaufort, SC
What It’s About: One of the Lowcountry's favorite foodie events, A Taste of Beaufort is a two-day savory retreat featuring live music, arts, local seafood and much more. The festival weekend officially begins at noon on Friday, May 6 with the opening of its Arts & Crafts Market, featuring up to 50 vendors offering a variety of handmade, local and unique goods. Area restaurants will begin serving up delicious seafood starting at 6pm with live entertainment! Live entertainment, children's games and activities, the Arts & Crafts Market and food vendors begin at 11am and last through the afternoon! For more information, please visit: http://mainstreetbeaufort.com/a-taste-of-beaufort/
Photo Courtesy of Holmes Legacy Tours
When: May 26-28, 2017
Where: Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, Downtown Beaufort, SC
What Its About: The Original Gullah Festival of South Carolina, Inc., a non-profit, tax exempt organization of Beaufort, was established in 1985 with its first festival being held in 1986 by natives of Beaufort to continue a four-day celebration of the historical, significant Sea Island heritage. Its goal is to reclaim for future generations the beauty and mystery of the disappearing Gullah Culture, a mix of West African legacy and American experience, to help Arts in Education, and to foster a better understanding of, and appreciation for the culture. Highlights include consumer, educational, and historical workshops, a fine arts exhibit, demonstrations and a potpourri of music and food for everyone. For more information, visit: http://theoriginalgullahfestival.org
Photo courtesy of Town of Port Royal
When: May 13, May 27, June 10 & June 24
Entertainers TBD
Where: Paris Avenue, Old Village, Port Royal, SC
What It’s About: Put on by the Town of Port Royal, these free street concerts have become a tradition for the community over the past eight years! There are 4 concerts in the spring & 4 in the late summer/fall. Musical acts include blues, jazz, country, ole timey rock n roll & more! Bring your chairs, your ice chests & your dancing shoes when you join the Street Music on Paris Avenue! The concerts will provide fun for the entire family. All shows are rain or shine and the rain location is The Shed on Paris Avenue, one block from the outdoor site!
Photo courtesy of Town of Port Royal
When: July 4, 2017
Where: The Sands Beach, Port Royal, SC
What It’s About: Independence Day is celebrated on July 4th at the Sands Beach in the Town of Port Royal. Festivities typically include food trucks, bounce houses for the kids, activities & beautiful fireworks display over the water! Bring your chairs & your bug spray. For more information, please visit: fb.com/portroyalsc
Photo courtesy of Annual Beaufort Water Festival
When: July 14-23, 2017
Where: Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, Downtown Beaufort, SC
What Its About: Dubbed Beaufort, SC’s premiere festival, the Annual Beaufort Water Festival is a longtime community event filled with enamored tradition that friends and families have been experiencing for decades. Now in its 62nd year, this 10 day event promises Lowcountry fun & memories that last a lifetime! With over 25 events including Motown Monday, a talent show, lowcountry supper, a parade, an air show, the Commodore’s Ball and much much more, there is certainly something for everyone! For the full schedule, to see the 2017 t-shirt design & to learn more, please visit: https://www.bftwaterfestival.com
Photo Courtesy of Town of Port Royal
When: August 12, August 26, September 9 & September 23
Entertainers TBD
Where: Paris Avenue, Old Village, Port Royal, SC
What It’s About: Put on by the Town of Port Royal, these free street concerts have become a tradition for the community over the past eight years! There are 4 concerts in the spring & 4 in the late summer/fall. Musical acts include blues, jazz, country, ole timey rock n roll & more! Bring your chairs, your ice chests & your dancing shoes when you join the Street Music on Paris Avenue! The concerts will provide fun for the entire family. All shows are rain or shine and the rain location is The Shed on Paris Avenue, one block from the outdoor site!
Photo courtesy of Main Street Beaufort
When: October 6 & 7, 2017
Where: Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, Downtown Beaufort, SC
What It’s About: Put on by the Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce and Main Street Beaufort, the Beaufort Shrimp Festival features up 15 local restaurants who serve up their best shrimp dishes while competing for the Silver Cup award! Everyone also gets to vote for your favorite restaurant in the People’s Choice Award! This event also features beer/wine for sale for those 21 and older, a Shrimp Heading or Children’s Shrimp Peeling competition along with the adopt a Shrimp for the Sea Island Rotary’s Charity rubber shrimp race! For more information, please visit: http://mainstreetbeaufort.com/beaufort-shrimp-festival/
Photo Courtesy of Town of Port Royal
When: October 2017 (official date TBD)
Where: Paris Avenue, Old Village, Port Royal, SC
What It’s About: Come on out & party Port Royal style at their annual OktoPRfest! Food vendors, artists and craft booths will be lined up on Paris Avenue, as well as children’s activities, live music and entertainment for all ages. For those beer lovers, a large variety of craft and domestic beer will be available for purchase. As always, there will be a classic cars on display featuring dozens of beautiful vehicles! For more information, please visit: http://oldvillageportroyal.com/event_foa.htm
Photo courtesy of Pat Conroy Literary Festival
When: October 20-22, 2017
Where: USCB Center for the Arts, 805 Carteret Street Beaufort, SC 29902
What It’s About: The Pat Conroy Literary Center cultivates a passionate and inclusive reading and writing community in honor of the beloved Beaufort author Pat Conroy, who dedicated his life to spreading his love for literature and education to future generations. The Pat Conroy Literary Festival is an immersive multi-day gathering features writer panels and book signings, live dramatic performances, film screenings, author lunches and receptions, readings, tours, an art exhibition, and a series of instructive workshops for writers, all centered around the University of South Carolina Beaufort's Center for the Arts. Each year the festival will highlight a different theme from Pat Conroy's writing life. For more information, please visit: http://patconroyliterarycenter.org
Photo courtesy of Penn Center Heritage Days
When: November 9-12, 2017
Where: Penn Center, St. Helena Island
What It’s About: Heritage Days Celebration is a four-day cultural event celebrating the Gullah/Geechee/Sea Island history, folk arts, food, music, crafts and West African cultural legacy. Located at Penn Center—formerly the Penn School, one of the first schools for former slaves and their descendants living on St. Helena Island—visitors can experience the unique setting of the 50-acre historic campus. Special events for the weekend include demonstrations of West African/Gullah cultural connections. For more information, please visit: http://www.penncenter.com/heritage-days
Photos courtesy of Captured Moments Photography via Main Street Beaufort
When: December 1-3, 2017
Where: Downtown Beaufort, SC
What Its About: Friday features A Night on the Town where Downtown businesses stay open late for your shopping pleasure. Entertainment by local choirs, dance groups, and clubs. Christmas Tree lighting with Santa himself! Saturday brings a magical display of decorated boats ambling up the Beaufort River in the Light Up the Night Boat Parade at the Waterfront Park. Bring the family to watch the enchanted display of decorated boats with cookies and a cup of hot chocolate. The festive weekend ends on Sunday with a traditional Beaufort Christmas Parade through the streets of downtown Beaufort. Floats, bands, groups of walkers and personal cars and trucks are expected to participate. For more information, please visit: http://mainstreetbeaufort.com
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