Suppertime in Beaufort: Hot shrimp, Beaufort Whistlers and an Eagles tribute
Thousands lined up in the heat Thursday night for the Lowcountry Supper at the Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park.
For supper at the 59th Annual Beaufort Water Festival, organizers decided that instead of bringing in shrimp that was cooked off-site, they'd move the cooking in closer to the table, with boilers stationed behind the serving tables.
"We found that people enjoy a warmer product instead of cold shrimp," said James Nutt, a Water Festival coordinator.
Over 1,200 pounds of shrimp was boiled up to feed the estimated 3,200 people in attendance, according Nutt.
Lines for the supper began forming outside of the Waterfront Park just before 5 p.m. Serving began at 6 p.m.
Hope you didn't miss: You came for the food, but did you stay for the entertainment?
The Blue Dots opened the show at the Lowcountry Supper with some classic rock hits such as Bill Haley and the Comets' "Rock Around the Clock." Following the Blue Dots was the much anticipated yearly performance of the Beaufort Whistlers, made up of 58th Festival Commodore Dan Thompson, 56th Commodore Bob Bible and 55th Commodore Sheri Little. On The Border, an Eagles tribute band based in Charlotte, N.C., capped the night with a selection of the band's greatest hits.
Better not miss: The annual bed race at 5 p.m. The Bay Street race starts at Harrington Street and ends at Newcastle Street. Check-in for competing teams is 4:30 p.m. Entry fee is $25. Teams include four runners and one rider. Participants are encouraged to decorate their racing beds.
Volunteer of the day: Tim Brown has volunteered at the Water Festival the last three years: It's a family tradition.
His father, George Brown, volunteered at the Water Festival for years, serving as the festival's 30th Commodore in 1985.
This year, Brown served as a coordinator for the Lowcountry Supper.
"This is about being a part of my community," Brown said. "And showing my children that it's good to be a part of your community."
Brown's favorite part of festival is the parade because he gets to enjoy it with his five children.
To continue the family tradition, Brown will encourage his children to volunteer at the festival.
"With five kids, I have a good chance of one of them keeping the tradition alive," Brown said.
Socially speaking: "At the Beaufort Water Festival. Hot, humid, and glorious. I love this town. #shareyourlife" Kyle Sutton, @KyleIHC, on Twitter.
Related content:
- Homegrown talent rocks out Beaufort Water Festival at Talent Show, July 23, 2014
- Crowd gets in step with Salsa Tuesday, July 22, 2014
- Column: 'Unknown Float' puts new face on Beaufort Water Festival lore, July 22, 2014
This story was originally published July 24, 2014 at 8:58 PM with the headline "Suppertime in Beaufort: Hot shrimp, Beaufort Whistlers and an Eagles tribute."