A house RESOLUTION

 

TO CELEBRATE THE SIXTY-ninth BEAUFORT WATER FESTIVAL TO BE HELD ON JULY 11 THROUGH 20, 2025, to thank todd stowe for serving as commodore for this year's festival, AND TO HONOR THOSE WHO ORGANIZE, SPONSOR, VOLUNTEER FOR, AND PARTICIPATE IN THE FESTIVAL.

 

Whereas, the South Carolina House of Representatives is pleased to learn that the Beaufort Water Festival will hold its sixty-ninth annual festival extravaganza from July 11 through 20, 2025, and that Todd Stowe will serve as the commodore for the 2025 festival, who will be joined by his wife, Patsy, and their children, Christy and Jessie. A gifted artist, Patsy's original paintings will accompany the festival theme "Blue Skies & Starry Nights"; and

 

Whereas, once a year in midsummer, the sea island that holds Beaufort sets the stage for one of the South's largest outdoor events, which has consistently been successful and has grown more significant since its inauguration in July 1956. In spite of its growth, the Beaufort Water Festival is still a community-wide, nonprofit venture, and the Lions Club has taken responsibility every year for organizing the festival's parade; and

 

Whereas, the festival is never complete without festival favorites, the Lowcountry Supper and the Commodore's Ball, which Commodore and Mrs. Stowe will host, along with their children, Christy and Jessie, and which will feature the Swingin' Medallions. From its early days, when it cost fifty cents to attend the beauty pageant and a dollar per couple to attend the Water Festival Ball, now called the Commodore's Ball, the festival has drawn increasing numbers of participants to Beaufort from other parts of the State and nation; and

 

Whereas, the coordinators for the 2025 festival include Dusty Vickers, program coordinator; Samantha Aimar, administrative coordinator; Greg Godfrey, marketing and public relations coordinator; Cori Talbert, parks coordinator; Kyle Gentry, productions coordinator; Shelley Kolb, sales and marketing coordinator; Katie Jindrich, sponsors coordinator; Cely Johnson, sports coordinator; Meredith Keene, treasurer; John Tuberville, water and air coordinator; and

 

Whereas, hundreds of volunteers work long hours, as well, to bring outstanding events to the festival, including reasonably priced first-class entertainment, thanks to the generosity of local sponsors. The festival arts and crafts market opens on the Promenade at Waterfront Park every day during the festival, offering a selection of artisanship from craftsmen of the Lowcountry and beyond who provide a visual feast for the eyes; and

 

Whereas, on Friday, July 11, the opening ceremony is expected to provide fabulous entertainment from the Parris Island Marine Band, as well as fireworks. Events during the week offer activities for children, teens, couples, and families, including: a raft race and a bed race; tournaments for bocce, badminton, and children's toad fishing; an air show with stunt planes and a talent show; a teen dance; and the Water Festival Grand Parade. The Concert in the Park will present Chris Jones Band and Alli Walker, while Motown Monday will have entertainment from Deas Guyz and Rockin' the River will feature CRÜELigans, a tribute to Mötley Crüe; and

 

Whereas, the day after Commodore Stowe's ball, the festival ends every year with the graceful Blessing of the Fleet and Parade of Boats, sponsored by the past commodores of the Beaufort Water Festival on the Beaufort River in front of the Waterfront Park Seawall; and

 

Whereas, the House of Representatives of the State of South Carolina commends the efforts of the many people who, working together, make the 2025 Beaufort Water Festival a success. The members value the significant impact which the shores of Beaufort have in attracting tourists to the Palmetto State. Now, therefore,

 

Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:

 

That the members of the South Carolina House of Representatives, by this resolution, celebrate the sixty-ninth Beaufort Water Festival to be held on July 11 through 20, 2025, thank Todd Stowe for serving as commodore for this year's festival, and honor those who organize, sponsor, volunteer for, and participate in the festival.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to Commodore Todd Stowe.

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