South Carolina H 5493: South Lynches Fire District

Bill Text

2025-2026 Bill 5493 Text of Previous Version (Apr. 02, 2026) - South Carolina Legislature Online 

South Carolina General Assembly
126th Session, 2025-2026

Bill 5493

Indicates Matter Stricken
Indicates New Matter

(Text matches printed bills. Document has been reformatted to meet World Wide Web specifications.)

A house RESOLUTION

TO CELEBRATE THE SEVENTIETH BEAUFORT WATER FESTIVAL, 
TO BE HELD JULY 17-26, 2026; TO THANK DUSTY VICKERS 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 seventieth annual festival extravaganza from July 17-26, 
2026, and that Dusty Vickers will serve as commodore for the 2026 festival 
under this year's theme, "Sunny Days & Friendship Waves." Dusty will be 
joined by his lovely wife, Jessica, and their two children, Rylee and Wyatt, at 
this platinum anniversary celebration of the festival; 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 consistently has 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 those two festival favorites, the Lowcountry Supper 
and Commodore's Ball, which Commodore and Mrs. Vickers, along with their 
children, will host this year. From the festival's early days, when it cost 
fifty cents to attend the beauty pageant and a dollar per couple to attend what 
was then called the Water Festival 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 2026 festival include Cori Talbert, program coordinator; 
John Hazel, administrative coordinator; Shelley Kolb, marketing and public 
relations coordinator; Kyle Gentry, parks coordinator; Greg Godfrey, 
productions coordinator; Katie Jindrich, sales and merchandise coordinator; 
John Turbeville, sponsors coordinator; Samantha Aimar, sports coordinator; 
Meredith Keene, treasurer; and Cely Johnson, 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 and 
providing a visual feast for the eyes; and

Whereas, on Friday, 
July 17, 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. Concert in the Park will present headliner Joe 
Nichols with special guest Tyler Reese Tritt, while Motown Monday will have 
entertainment from Deas-Guyz, and Rockin' the River will feature Hot Red Chili 
Peppers; and

Whereas, every year, 
the day after the Commodore's Ball, the festival ends with the graceful 
Blessing of the Fleet and Parade of Boats, sponsored by the past commodores of 
the Beaufort Water Festival and held on the Beaufort River; and

Whereas, the House of 
Representatives commends the efforts of the many people who, working together, 
make the Beaufort Water Festival a success. The members appreciate the 
significant impact the beautiful 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 seventieth Beaufort Water Festival, to be 
held July 17-26, 2026; thank Dusty Vickers 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 Dusty Vickers.

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This web page was last updated on April 02, 2026 at 11:00 AM