TheDigitel

The temperatures are sky high and, yep, the Beaufort Water Festival is just around the corner.

This year marks the 57th annual installment of Beaufort's celebration of all things water related, and then some.

This year will be much the same as years past, with a notable exception. The opening ceremonies on Friday, July 13, at 7 p.m. will also see the message read from a bottle that was plucked out of Beaufort waters this June.

After the start the core of the festival will run until Sunday, July 22, with a parade, air show, Lowcountry supper, talent show, boat tours, and much more.

Here's the full lineup: 

Friday, July 13: Opening Night

• Festival Art and Craft Market: Noon – 5 p.m., Promenade, Waterfront Park
• Opening Ceremony: Gates open 6 p.m., Ceremony begins 7 p.m. 
  Sponsored by the South Carolina Education Lottery
  Featuring the Parris Island Marine Band and a spectacular Fireworks Show at dusk.
• Free admission, Shuttle service available from Beaufort County Government Center

Saturday, July 14: Concert in the Park

• Raft Race: 9 a.m., Waterfront Park 
  Sponsored by Schiller Law Firm
• Bocce Tournament: 9 a.m., Waterfront Park
  Sponsored by JoCo Construction/Sea Island Elevators
• Festival Art and Craft Market: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., Promenade, Waterfront Park
• Sponsors' Expo: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m., Waterfront Pavilion
• Children's Toad Fishing Tournament: 10 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., Waterfront Park
  Sponsored by Sea Island Atlas Van Lines
  Free for ages 12 and under only
  Bring your own Rod, Reel and Tackle; Bait will be provided
• Coast Guard Cutter Tours: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., Waterfront Park
  Free to the public
• Lowcountry Estuarium: 10 am – 4pm, Waterfront Park
• Shrimp Boat Tours: Noon – 4 p.m., Waterfront Park
• Badminton Tournament: 11 a.m., Waterfront Park 
  Sponsored by AC Harvey's Screen Printing; $30 entry fee per team
• Gatorland Ski Show: 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m., Beaufort River, Waterfront Park
• Sailing Regatta: 12:00-1:00 PM registration
  Sponsored by Ameris Bank
  Sailing Instructions available at registration table at Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club (BYSC).
• Dragon Boat Exhibition: 4-5 p.m. in front of seawall in the Waterfront Park
• Concert in the Park: 8 p.m. – 11:30 p.m.
  Sponsored by New Country BOB 106.9 FM
  Gates open 7 p.m., Show starts 8 p.m.
  Entertainment by James Otto
  James Otto is the voice behind "Sweet Little Summer Song" and "Just Got Started Loving You"
  Opening Entertainment by Chuck Courtenay
  NO STROLLERS ALLOWED
  Admission $20
  Buy advanced tickets here.
  Shuttle service available from Beaufort County Government Center

Sunday, July 15: Children's Day & Teen Dance

• Festival Art and Craft Market: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
  Promenade, Waterfront Park
• Boat Bingo: 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. 
  Sponsored by Powell Electric
  Advance Bingo Cards–$10 each; Day of Event Bingo Cards–$12 each; Buy four cards, get the fifth one free!
  Cards available in advance at Port Royal Landing Marina and the Downtown Beaufort Marina
• Coast Guard Cutter Tours: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
• Lowcountry Estuarium: 11 am – 3pm, Waterfront Park
• Shrimp Boat Tours: Noon – 4 p.m., Waterfront Park
• CHILDREN'S DAY: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. 
  Sponsored by Coca-Cola
  Featuring shows with rides, games, and prizes
• Gatorland Ski Show: 2 p.m. – 4 p.m.
• Sailing Regatta (continued)
  2:00 PM Warning for final race in front of BYSC; no races will start after 4:30; 5:00 PM Awards
• Teen Dance: 6 to 9 p.m.
  Sponsored by John 3:16- A Ministry Project
  Gates open 6 to 8 p.m. ( No entry after 8 p.m.) NO RE-ENTRY ALLOWED.
  Entertainment DJ Jeff Taylor
  Ages 13-17 only–VALID ID REQUIRED
  CLUTCH PURSES ONLY (6×9)size
  Admission $10
  Buy advanced tickets here. 
  No shuttle service available

Monday, July 16: Motown Monday

• Croquet Tournament: 9 a.m.
  Sponsored by Modern Jewelers
  Entry fee: $20 per person, or $30 per person for both tournaments
• Festival Art and Craft Market: 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• MOTOWN MONDAY: 8 p.m. – 11 p.m.
  Sponsored by Lend Lease Community Fund/Atlantic Marine Corps Communities
  Gates open 7 p.m., Show starts 8 p.m.
  Entertainment by Deas-Guyz
  Admission $7 – FREE to ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY with valid Military ID.
  Buy advanced tickets here.
  Shuttle service available from Beaufort County Government Center

Tuesday, July 17: Tropical Tuesday

• Croquet Tournament (continued): 9 a.m.
• Festival Art and Craft Market: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• TROPICAL TUESDAY: 8 p.m. – 11 p.m.
  Sponsored by Palm and Moon Bagel Company
  Gates open 7 p.m., Show starts 8 p.m.
  Entertainment by the Tsunami Wave Riders
  Admission $12; Buy advanced tickets here.
  Shuttle service available from Beaufort County Government Center

Wednesday, July 18: Talent Show

• Croquet Tournament (continued): 9 a.m.
  Sponsored by Modern Jewelers
• Festival Art and Craft Market: 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
• TALENT SHOW: 7 p.m. – 11 p.m.
  Hosted by the Preceptor Omega Chapter of Beta Sigma Phi Sorority.
  Sponsored by McDonald's
  Gates open 6 p.m., Show starts 7 p.m.
  Admission $10, Free with Official 2012 Beaufort Water Festival T-Shirt.
  Buy advanced tickets here.
  Shuttle service available from Beaufort County Government Center

Thursda, July 19: Lowcountry Supper

• Croquet Tournament Finals: 9 a.m.
  Sponsored by Modern Jewelers
• Festival Art and Craft Market: 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.
• LOWCOUNTRY SUPPER: 6 p.m. – 11 p.m.
  Sponsored by Waste Pro USA
  Gates open 6 p.m., Supper served 6 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
  Main Show by Too Much Sylvia
  Opening entertainment by the Broke Locals
  Admission $15; Buy advanced tickets here.
  Shuttle service available from Beaufort County Government Center

Friday, July 20: Bed Race & River Dance

• Festival Art and Craft Market: 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.
• Bed Race: Checkin at 4:30 pm 
  Sponsored by Advanced Mold Technologies
  Race at 5 p.m. on Bay Street, starting at Harrington Street and ending at Newcastle Street.
  Entry fee: $25 per bed;Applications are due by July 13th
• RIVER DANCE: 8 p.m. – Midnight
  Sponsored by Buffalo Wild Wings
  Gates open 7 p.m., Show starts 8 p.m.
  Opening entertainment by Shark Rodeo
  Main Show by The Design
  MUST BE 18 OR OLDER WITH VALID ID TO ATTEND
  NO STROLLERS ALLOWED
  Admission $12; Buy advanced tickets here.
  Shuttle service available from Beaufort County Government Center

Saturday, July 21: Parade & Commodore's Ball

• Festival Art and Craft Market: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
• Water Festival Grand Parade: 10 a.m. – Noon, Downtown Beaufort 
  Sponsored by The Greenery, Inc.; Organized by the Beaufort Lions Club; Entry fee: $25
• Coast Guard Cutter Tours: Noon – 4 p.m.
• Lowcountry Estuarium: Noon – 4pm
• Shrimp Boat Tours: Noon – 4 p.m.
• Corn Hole Tournament Finals: 11:30 a.m.
  Sponsored by Nippy's
• Air Show: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
  (Beaufort River closed for show)
• COMMODORE'S BALL: 8 p.m. – Midnight 
  Sponsored by Allen Patterson Residential Construction
  Entertainment The Headliners
  Gates open 7 p.m.
  Admission $10; Buy advanced tickets here.
  Shuttle service available from Beaufort County Government Center

Sunday, July 22: Blessing of the Fleet

• Festival Art and Craft Market: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
• Lowcountry Estuarium: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.
• Non-profit Expo: 11am -2pm
• Entertainment by Chris Jones: 1:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m.
• Blessing of the Fleet and Parade of Boats: Noon – 2 p.m. 
  Sponsored by the Water Festival Commodores
  Free – boats must register to be eligible for prizes
  All applications must be at the judges stand prior to noon.
  Prizes will be awarded for:
  - Best decorated boat Commercial $100
  - Best decorated personal watercraft $100
  - Judges award $100
• 3 p.m. Festival Ends