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A chorus of voices sang along as DJ Ross Brown blared Joan Jett's "I Love Rock and Roll" followed by dance-friendly current hits. Amanda Stange, a sophomore at Battery Creek High School, said the event is unlike any other for teens in Beaufort.
"I love this night," Stange said. "It's so much fun dancing and being able to hang out with my friends."
The dance capped off what organizers called a successful first weekend for the 54th Annual Beaufort Water Festival.
More than 4,000 people attended Friday's opening ceremony, and about 4,100 rocked out with Little Big Town at Saturday's Concert in the Park, said program coordinator Sheri Little.
Events throughout the day were also pulling in many spectators, like Sunday's Gatorland Ski show.
The team of water skiers from Florida performed tricks like pyramids and jumps, wowing festivalgoers lined up along the waterfront park.
Highlights included 73-year-old skier Billy Banks, who glided along the Beaufort River on nothing but his bare feet.
"Not too many people knew how to barefoot ski when I started learning about 15 years ago," Banks said after the show. "We've been performing here off and on for over 20 years, and I love coming back. It's a lot of work, but it's so much fun."
Gatorland team members said the Water Festival crowd is always wonderful, and they were happy to be back after not performing here last year.
"This is like a vacation for us," said Teri Sapp, who helped the team on the dock today while her daughter performed and her husband drove one of the team's boats.
"We love this town. Our goal is to have at least enough time to go into the little shops before the performances."
Other Sunday events included boat bingo, Coast Guard cutter tours and Children's Day, featuring rides and games throughout the park.
The art and crafts market was also bustling Friday through Sunday, said Bonnie Thompson, a festival coordinator. About 51 vendors signed up to sell a variety of merchandise throughout the festival.
"The crafters all said they did really well, which means people were spending some money," Thompson said. "The weather has just been amazing. It's made a big difference."
