Beaufort Water Festival set to open a new season

BE AUFORT, S.C. (AP) — The Beaufort Water Festival is scheduled to open for its 57th annual summer run on the South Carolina coast.

The 10-day festival opens on Friday and closes on Sunday, July 22, with the blessing of the fleet and parade of boats in Beaufort. Most of the festival events are being held at the Henry Chambers Park in downtown Beaufort.

A concert by the Parris Island Marine Corps Band and a fireworks display highlight the opening night of the festival.

Organizers expect more than 50,000 people to attend the festiival.