Children's Day at Water Festival full of fun, games despite rain
Rain didn't put a damper on the fun for dozens of kids Sunday, aka Children's Day at the 59th Annual Beaufort Water Festival.
Volunteers in drenched clothes handed children rings to throw in buckets, basketballs to shoot at hoops and footballs to kick through inflatable goalposts. Water splashed in a bounce house as kids jumped up and down inside, and face paint ran down many a young face.
Some parents and children lined the overhangs of businesses in Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, while others chose to wait out the rain in restaurants and coffee shops.
As the downpour set in just before 1 p.m., organizers moved a scheduled magic show into the park's pavilion.
"We come up with a contengency plan, made it work and everything went great," said Jessica Hawley, Children's Day chairperson. "The turnout was great, and I know the kids had a lot of fun."
By the time the magic show ended, the heavy storm had passed by, and children ran back out to the games. Hawley said of the 2,000 prizes ordered for the games, only about 25 were left by time Children's Day ended at 3 p.m.
Hope you didn't miss
The River Rally, a bingo-style game for boaters. Players drew cards at the six landing check-points, and cash prizes were handed out.
Players who drew a joker card could also spin a prize wheel at each landing. Prizes included T-shirts, koozies and hats.
Better not miss
Motown Monday's event will be headlined by a performance from Hilton Head Island-based local favorite Deas Guyz on the Waterfront Park stage. The six-man troupe has a large repertoire, including classic Motown songs and newer R&B hits. Gates for the show open at 7 p.m., and the show begins at 8 p.m. Admission is $10.
Volunteer of the day: Cory Holsinger
As the faces of children light up when they successfully fire footballs through a hole at the event's football toss game, so does Cory Holsinger's.
Holsinger, 23, worked the game Sunday at the Water Festival.
"Seeing a kid's face when they make it, they're so excited," Holsinger said. "It's something so small, but it makes you feel so good."
A lance corporal stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, this is Holsinger's first Water Festival experience. Several others in his squadron are also volunteering during the festival.
"It feels great being a part of something so great," Holsinger said. "It's exciting seeing this all for the first time. I'm definitely going to (volunteer) again and tell my friends to come out as well."
Holsinger volunteered on Friday, Saturday and Sunday and will return next weekend to do it again. Sunday was hot and humid, with bouts of drenching rain, but that didn't faze Holsinger.
"Being a Marine, I'm used to bad weather," he said. "Rain's never bothered me anyways."
Socially speaking
"All worn out after playing out at the Kids Day event.... #toomuchfun #onetoomanybouncyhouses!! -- Brian Mills, on Facebook
Follow reporter Laura Oberle at twitter.com/IPBG_Laura.
Related content:
- Rafters paddle it out at Water Festival, July 19, 2012
- 59th Annual Beaufort kicks off in downtown Beaufort, July 18, 2014
This story was originally published July 20, 2014 at 6:37 PM with the headline "Children's Day at Water Festival full of fun, games despite rain."