Once a year, in mid-summer, the sea island that holds Beaufort becomes a gigantic stage for one of the South's biggest outdoor events. Successful from its beginning, the Beaufort Water Festival has grown each year in importance and entertainment value, but is still worked as a community, non-profit project. The first Festival was held in July 1956, with John Bigbee serving as the first President and Gladys Thompson in charge of the visiting queens. The Lions Club took the job of putting on the first parade and has been doing so every year since.
As the years went by, the Festival began to draw more and more people to Beaufort from other parts of the state and on a national level. Events such as fishing and golf tournaments as well as a craft market and Sponsors’ and Community Non-Profit expos were added to the lineup so the Festival had something to offer for every age and interest.
​All events were held on or adjacent to the municipal parking lot and in case of inclement weather (the word “rain” is never used during the Festival), the pageant would move indoors to the Beaufort Elementary School and the Balls would be held in the Community Club.