Beaufort Water Festival Commodore Tank Morris explains the job (and his nickname)
As a kid, Erin “Tank” Morris recalls the anticipation of driving over the bridge into Beaufort to attend the Water Festival. He remembers watching the bed races, and the jet boat races on the seawall.
Morris, 39, is now commodore of the 10-day festival he grew up with and still loves as an adult.
“It means the world to me,” Morris, who was born and raised in the area, says of being chosen commodore — the festival’s public face and behind-the-scenes leader.
Morris is the 65th commodore. In its 65th year, the festival — a celebration of the city’s location, lifestyle and culture that attracts thousands to Waterfront Park — continues this week.
Each year, past commodores vote on a new commodore. The first one was chosen in 1956. Morris got the nod in 2020, but then the COVID-19 pandemic canceled the community’s biggest event, in effect giving him a two-year reign.
Commodore isn’t just a ceremonial post.
The commodore is president of the organization and works with 10 coordinators to pull together the huge festival. They volunteer their time.
“Everybody out here takes their vacation to come out here to do this,” said Morris last week, when he was at work with other volunteers on site. “We just all have love for the community and a love for the festival.”
At the 2016 Water Festival, Morris took a photograph of a crowd before the main stage as a band played. Palmetto trees, the iconic bridge and shrimp boat serve as the backdrops.
Morris told himself that image would become the official festival T-shirt if he was ever elected commodore. True to his word, his cell phone picture of that magical Water Festival moment graces the T-shirts being sold for $15 at this year’s festival.
“To me it represents everything the festival is about,” Morris says.
In his regular job, Morris is a sergeant with the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office.
He’s been called “Tank” since he was 12. He picked up the nickname when he was in Club Karate in Beaufort.
Tuesday, July 20
Tuesday night at the Beaufort Water Festival now has a Caribbean-style theme.
The Tsunami Waver Riders, which bills itself as the No. 1 island party band in the Carolinas, will perform at 8 p.m. at Waterfront Park.
The band uses Caribbean steel drums, Hawaiian ukulele and lap-steel guitar and plays popular dance rhythms that should keep you in an island state of mind. The band plays a mix of originals and popular island-inspired songs from artists such as Bob Marley, Jimmy Buffett, Kenny Chesney, Zac Brown, the Beach Boys, the Drifters and Harry Belafonte.
The cost is $5, and gates open at 7 p.m. The arts and crafts market is from noon to 7 p.m. at Waterfront Park.
Island Time Tuesday also is first responder and military appreciation night, with free admission for those with active duty ID.
Check out the full schedule of events at https://www.bftwaterfestival.com/#/.
This story was originally published July 19, 2021 at 3:35 PM.
