Meet Commodore Brian Patrick

64th Annual Beaufort Water Festival
A Celebration for the Community, By the Community

story by KAREN SNYDER
photos by SUSAN DELOACH AND JOHN WOLLWERTH

It’s undeniable. Our quaint little town of Beaufort never disappoints when it comes to the beauty of its sparkling coastal waters, moss-draped Live Oaks, and Southern hospitality steeped in Lowcountry traditions and heritage. Fortunately, townsfolk and visitors alike have a chance to celebrate “all that is Beaufort” at the 64th Annual Beaufort Water Festival, the area’s premiere community-wide event.

From pre-festival fun including sporting and leisure events, the celebration is ten jammed-packed days of national recording artists and local musical entertainment, arts and crafts, Lowcountry food, sports tournaments, parades, and more. The mid-summer festival is held from July 12th-21st at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park and is a true celebration of Beaufort’s waterways and natural beauty, but most of all, of its people.

It’s evident that community is important to Brian Patrick, the 2019 Beaufort Water Festival (BWF) Commodore who titled this year’s event “For the Community, By the Community.” Commodore Patrick has long been associated with this small-town festival having first joined the ranks of the volunteer-run event in 2005. A self-described “behind-the-scenes” person, this year he finds himself front and center in the time-honored role as Commodore heading a 10-member crew of dedicated and experienced coordinators who, together with more than 400 volunteers, pull off a Lowcountry celebration like no other.

Born and raised in Los Angeles, Commodore Patrick came to Beaufort in 2004 with the United States Marine Corps and has made it his home following his retirement in 2011. He refers to BWF as a “showcase of our community that wouldn’t be possible without the dedication of community volunteers, civic organizations, local businesses, and of course, our sponsors.”

Clearly proud of his new hometown, Commodore Patrick says Beaufort has been the “longest place I have ever lived in my life.” Like so many who reside here, when time permits Commodore Patrick enjoys spending time on the water with friends, but this year he and his team have been busy planning a spectacular calendar of events that is the Beaufort Water Festival.

According to Patrick, in his role as Commodore this year, he focused on keeping many traditions Beaufortonians have come to expect at BWF. “We try to listen to the community to determine what is and what is no longer a part of the festival,” he states, emphasizing that decisions are really driven by community feedback. So, though there are no “new” events this year, “the flow of the events has been adjusted a bit,” he explains, and festival-goers will enjoy many of the same events they’ve come to love.

These events include among others the free Opening Ceremonies held on Friday, July 12th at 7 pm featuring the Parris Island Marine Band and fireworks display; Festival Arts & Crafts Market held throughout the event; River Rally; Raft Race; Bocce, Badminton, and Children’s Toad Fishing Tournaments; Shrimp Boat Tours; and Air Show featuring stunt planes and parachutists.
But perhaps the most memorable and beloved parts of the festival are the ticketed events featuring headline entertainment, dinner, and dancing. On Saturday, July 13th guests will enjoy headliner country music singer and songwriter Tyler Farr, with opening act Copper Chief, and Emily Ann Roberts, a season-nine finalist on NBC’s “The Voice.”

The Waterfront Park venue also hosts the “Teen Dance” held on Sunday, July 14th from 6-9 pm, followed by a long-time favorite event Motown Monday at 8 pm on July 15th featuring Deas-Guys; Hometown Tuesday on July 16th spotlighting local musical artists who this year have combined to form one special band to entertain the crowd at 8 pm; and a Talent Show held at 7 pm on Wednesday, July 17th.

Another festival favorite is the Lowcountry Supper at 6 pm on Thursday, July 18th featuring a Zac Brown Tribute band called “20 Ride” as the headline entertainment, with opening act Andrew Beam. In addition to Lowcountry food that feeds the soul, another much-anticipated part of the evening is “The Whistlers,” who according to Commodore Patrick are past Commodores who “whistle with their bellies.” Who would want to miss that?

Musical venues are wrapped up on Friday, July 19th with the River Dance at 8 pm featuring AC/DC tribute band Thunderstruck opened by local band Frogmore Stu; and finally, the Commodore’s Ball, where next year’s BWF Commodore is announced, on Saturday, July 20th at 8 pm which features The New Royals.

One would think that’s plenty of scheduled events for a 10-day festival, yet worthy of mention are other long-standing traditions such as the Water Festival Grand Parade held in downtown Beaufort on Saturday, July 20th from 10 am to noon and BWF’s final event on Sunday, July 21st, the Blessing of the Fleet and Parade of Boats on the Beaufort River from noon to 2 pm at the Waterfront Park Seawall.

“There’s truly something for everyone at the festival,” says Commodore Patrick, noting family-friendly events such as the “Opening Ceremony, Talent Night, and the Lowcountry Supper for those who enjoy some Frogmore Stew.” Another highlight for families is Children’s Day on Sunday, July 14th from 11 am to 3 pm which features games, activities, and a bounce house. “This year we moved the Ski Show to correlate with the children’s events. It happens right out on the water at 1 pm.” For adults, he recommends they “take a break and enjoy the festivities at the River Dance” for those 18 and over.

As for the Commodore’s favorite part of BWF, one of them he says is the Opening Ceremonies. “You plan all year for this event and do all this work. There are so many factors planned as part of the ceremony such as the flyover, the National Anthem, and so forth. It can be a stressful time if any one thing goes wrong. But once everything happens as planned and the band stops playing and the fireworks start, that’s the moment! It’s literally a sigh of relief. It’s the moment you know you have achieved an event that’s truly for the community.”

An Occupational Safety and Health Specialist at MCRD Parris Island, Patrick has raised three children in Beaufort including his son Krieg, who after spending 6 years in the Air Force now lives in Tucson, AZ, his daughter, Kortni who recently wed and lives in Arlington, TX and is expecting his first grandson, and his youngest daughter, Alyssa, who just graduated from Beaufort Academy and is headed to Clemson University in August.

Besides enjoying golf, Commodore Patrick has served as an umpire for 10 years as part of the Tri-Command Officials for the Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS). And, since 2012, has served as a guitarist and singer with the Praise & Worship Team at Water’s Edge United Methodist Church, leading the group for the last 6 years.

When contemplating what most don’t know about the Beaufort Water Festival, Commodore Patrick says that many don’t realize the event is “totally volunteer planned.” He explains, “We are not associated with any part of the city or county. We are completely independent. We do everything ourselves with the support of the city, of course.”

He also points to the Pirettes, a group of about 14 rising 9th and 10th grade girls who serve as goodwill ambassadors for the event, participating in parades and other events throughout the year to promote the Water Festival. In fact, he adds, this year is the 50th anniversary of the Pirettes.

The ultimate success of the event would not happen, emphasizes Commodore Patrick, “Without the dedication of the festival volunteers that has helped me along the way, the help of many civic organization, and the generosity of our many BWF sponsors.”

He adds, “What makes it a true community event is that it is put on by your neighbors, the people you sit in church with, the people you work with, just regular folks that have the work ethic to get it done.”

For a full schedule of free and ticketed events and more information about the festival visit the BWF website at www.bftwaterfestival.com.