Roof Repair in Beaufort, SC

A rolling interactive museum that remembers the nation’s fallen veterans, honors those currently serving and educates the next generation about freedom is stopping in Beaufort Monday.

Beaufort is one stop on the national tour of the Wreaths Across America (WAA) Mobile Education Exhibit, Beaufort County Veterans Affairs and WAA accounced Friday.

It’s a 48-foot-long mobile museum that educates visitors about the service of the nation’s veterans and serves as an official “Welcome Home” station for Vietnam veterans.

Wreaths Across America is a not-for-profit that launched an annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in 2007 that’s since expanded to veterans cemeteries across the country, including Beaufort National Cemetery.

Morrill Worcester, owner of the Worcester Wreath Company in Harrington, Maine, donated his first wreath to Arlington in 1992 when as a 12-year-old paperboy he won a trip to the nation’s capital. He launched WAA 15 years later. Through the program, people can purchase wreaths, which are then donated to local cemeteries and placed on headstones to honor veterans.

In 2022, the organization placed more than 2.7 million sponsored veterans’ wreaths at more than 3,700 participating locations nationwide.

It’s a popular program in Beaufort, home to the Beaufort National Cemetery. Each year, WAA in Beaufort, in its 17th year, places wreaths on the headstones of many of the 26,000 veterans buried there. This year’s local ceremony is at noon Dec. 16.

The Mobile Education Exhibit will be in the Beaufort Town Center parking lot at 2015 Boundary Street 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday. It is free and open to the public. The exhibit is equipped with a 24-person screening room that showcases the different aspects of the WAA mission through video.

Remembrance wreaths can be sponsored for $17 at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/GA0175P.

The town is getting ready for the holidays with the announcement of the upcoming City of Beaufort‘s Holiday Weekend Celebration, and a few other happenings that will help you show your holiday spirit.

The weekend of December 1st through 3rd will be packed with music, food, entertainment, shopping, parades – and Santa, of course!

Friday night The weekend kicks off with Night on the Town at 6 p.m. on Friday. Bay Street will be closed to traffic. Downtown retailers will be open. Roving choirs will be singing Christmas carols, while the Parris Island Marine Corps Band will perform on the main stage at Charles and Bay streets. Other performers will also be taking the stage as well.

The Community Bible Church Soul Patrol Puppet Team will perform at Bay and Carteret streets. Food will be available along Bay Street from vendors. Parents can bring their kiddies to have their pictures taken with Santa from 6-8 p.m. And, a recital of “The Night Before Christmas” will occur on the main stage just before the Christmas tree lighting culminates the evening around at 8pm

Saturday The Gullah Taste of Christmas kicks off at 11 a.m. at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park. The event is a beautiful celebration of Gullah traditions that will have you singing and dancing with joy.

Then, the super-popular Lighted Boat Parade begins at 5:30 p.m. – grab a seat at the park to get a great view.

Sunday The annual Christmas Parade, led by Santa and featuring local bands and lots of floats, begins at 3 p.m. in downtown Beaufort.

There’s more!

The Beaufort Area Hospitality Association has announced a fun projection event that starts November 24th and lasts through December 25th. Be sure to mark your calendars to catch the colorful and vibrant projections taking place at various locations across downtown Beaufort.

From December 9th to December 16th, you can enjoy a series of Christmas concerts that culminates with the Savannah Ballet. Dance along as they perform classic Christmas favorites in the beautiful landscape of Downtown Beaufort.

Also, every Sunday from November 26th through December 24th, Santa will be found in Downtown Beaufort outside the Beaufort Candy Shoppe ready to grant wishes and spread joy. Santa’s schedule is: November 26th from 3 to 7pm, December 3rd from 3 to 7pm, December 10th from 4 to 7pm, December 17th from 4 to 7pm, then on Saturday, December 23rd from 4 to 7pm.

Christmas in the South is amazing, and so is all of the fun at Beaufort’s Holiday Weekend.

Here’s what to know about visiting Beaufort, one of South Carolina’s most beautiful towns.

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Charleston may get most of the attention when it comes to South Carolina’s many cities, but the history, culture, and (of course) Southern charm that make it so special can also be found in smaller and less expensive places in the region. If you’ve ever watched “Forrest Gump” or read anything by the late author Pat Conroy, you may be familiar with Beaufort, a harbor town on Port Royal Island. Its narrow streets, oak trees, and historic district that pre-dates the Civil War are similar to those in Charleston, but Beaufort is remarkable and magical in its own right. Plus, it doesn’t draw the same crowds that tend to flock to notable Holy City hangouts like King Street, Folly Beach, and the Battery.

Before you read any further, though, you need to know how to properly pronounce the name. Not to be confused with Beaufort, North Carolina (said like “bow-fert”), the coastal town has a pronunciation more akin to “bew-fert.” Mistaking the two will immediately identify you as a tourist — and it won’t sit too well with the locals. Once you have that squared away, you can start planning your trip to Beaufort, the second-oldest city in South Carolina.

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Best Things to Do in Beaufort, South Carolina

In 1969, Beaufort became one of the few U.S. cities with an entire downtown designated as a historic district by the National Trust for Historic Preservation, so exploring the neighborhoods filled with Victorian, Greek Revival, Neoclassical, and Federal-style homes is at the top of most travelers’ lists. At Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, you’ll spot Woods Memorial Bridge, recognizable from the aforementioned Tom Hanks blockbuster. Stretching your legs is also encouraged along the Spanish Moss Trail, a 10-mile greenway that weaves by Beaufort’s marshes and through trees draped in Spanish moss. Given its waterfront location, Beaufort should also be experienced by boat; book a Dolphin & History Boat Cruise with Coastal Expeditions or an ecology tour with Beaufort Kayak Tours. Paddleboarding is another option, with rental equipment available at Higher Ground Outfitters.

Beaufort’s ties to the literary world are strong; visiting the Pat Conroy Literary Center (Beaufort was Conroy’s adopted hometown) or one of the three independent bookstores in town — NeverMore Books, McIntosh Book Shoppe, and Beaufort Books — is a must for book lovers. For those interested in local art, there’s the Gullah Art Gallery and Museum, Legacy Art Gallery, Rhett Gallery, Thibault Gallery, or Atelier Off Bay.

Many of the best things to do in Beaufort are found further outside of downtown. About 17 miles east is Hunting Island State Park, with its pristine beaches, marshes, maritime forest, saltwater lagoon, and the Hunting Island Lighthouse, which was destroyed during the Civil War and rebuilt in 1875. St. Helena Island (a 13-minute drive away) is home to Penn Center — one of the United States’ first schools for formerly enslaved individuals — as well as the family-owned Dempsey Farms, where you can pick in-season fruits and vegetables. Local produce can also be acquired on Saturdays at the nearby Port Royal Farmers Market.

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Beaufort Hotels

An overnight trip to Beaufort is best accompanied by a stay in one of the town’s upscale inns. Slow Southern mornings paired with a home-cooked breakfast can be enjoyed on the expansive wooden porch at The Rhett House Inn. Guests can also book the more modern Rhett House Inn Cottages, which sit across the street from the main building. Once a Union Army hospital, Anchorage 1770 overlooks the Beaufort River and offers a fine dining experience at the Ribaut Social Club. The Beaufort Inn first opened its doors in 1897, and the property’s modern-day chapter features several fully renovated buildings within the town’s historic district.

Where to Eat and Drink in Beaufort, South Carolina

As with most Southern cities and towns, food is a major part of the local culture. If you’re a traveler who plans their vacations around meals, you’ll want to start your day at Blackstone’s Cafe or Herban Market and Cafe. If you’re exploring Beaufort during the day and want something quick, order a fried chicken sandwich or po’boy from Lowcountry Produce Market & Cafe. Chapman’s Grocer also has grab-and-go treats, wine, and craft beer. Old Bull Tavern is a lively gastropub open only for dinner, Saltus River Grill is great for indulging in seafood, and those craving Italian should dine at Griffin Market. Gullah Grub Restaurant on St. Helena Island is one of the area’s most famous restaurants (it appeared on Anthony Bourdain: No Reservations); get the shrimp gumbo.

Best Time to Visit

A South Carolina summer is hot and humid — there’s no getting around that. To explore Beaufort in the most comfortable climate, your best bet is to go in either early spring or late fall. April and October are ideal for having plenty to do (winter is far from bustling) while simultaneously avoiding the sweltering weather synonymous with the South.

Getting There

If you’re flying into Hilton Head Airport (HHH) or Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport (SAV) — both are under an hour away — you’ll need to rent a car to fully experience Beaufort and its surrounding area. Charleston International Airport (CHS) is also an option, although it’ll take about 90 minutes to get to Beaufort.

Labor Day weekend has arrived, unofficially marking the end of summer and many may be looking for things to do this weekend following Idalia’s impacts on the Southeast and South Carolina’s Lowcountry.

While there aren’t many Labor Day-specific activities on the local calendar, there are no shortage of nearby things to do with your family.

Here are eight activities to try that are perfect for your Lowcountry Labor Day weekend.

The Parrot Palooza Sunset Celebration with Shannon Tanner & the Oyster Reefers is a fun, Caribbean-style concert event for the family to enjoy this holiday weekend. Parrot Palooza offers an opportunity for attendees to dance and enjoy their evenings during the holiday weekend with shows starting at 7 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday featuring the Jimmy Buffet tribute band.

Children’s entertainment will also be present, featuring Cappy the Clown at the harbour, with further children’s activities from 6-9 p.m. The events are subject to change and are reliant on weather conditions. Any updates can be found at the Shelter Cove Harbour and Marina’s Facebook page. All activities for the event can be found at 17 Harbourside Lane, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926.

For those who prefer a more carnivorous diet, barbecue is quite popular during Labor Day weekend festivities. Beaufort County is filled with great barbecue options.

Previous Island Packet reporting detailed that Yelp’s 2023 selections for the best barbecue in the county included locales such as:

Despite Idalia’s hurricane force winds and flooding that took place just days ago, efficient cleanup efforts helped restore the county as weather began to calm. Blue, sunny skies are predicted for the weekend.

Heading to the beach for a relaxing Labor Day weekend could be the fun that the whole family needs after the recent tropical weather events. Hilton Head Island has 12 miles of white-sand beaches, and the Lowcountry as a whole has a large quantity of beautiful, unique beaches.

Sea Pines has a plethora of activities for your family to choose from this holiday weekend. Whether you want to relax or explore, there are options for everyone. Aside from Harbour Town and South Beach Marina, this area of the island’s south end has its own set of ruins, a nature preserve, Lawton Stables, aquatic tours and gear rentals, dolphin cruises, nationally-recognized restaurants, a PGA Tour golf course and more.

For an adult group, find a local happy hour spot. Many local establishments offer happy hour specials and live music for over-21s to spend those end-of-summer Lowcountry evenings. Hilton Head Distillery, Poseidon, Aunt Chiladas and The Sandbar are just a few of the many places to enjoy an evening beverage in the surrounding area for this Labor Day weekend.

Are you in favor of some healthy, family competition? The Lowcountry is known for its award-winning golf courses. Set up a tee time and play one of the many courses available. Not a golfer? Mini golf, tennis or pickleball are also popular choices that are sure to bring a fun time and memories that will last.

Enjoy the local Lowcountry flora and fauna this weekend with sunny skies after a week of wind and rain. The region has a unique environment that can be explored through these nine local parks and trails in Beaufort County.

Whether you’re a long-time local, summer vacationer or part-time resident, you may have led yourself to believe that you’ve seen everything on the island.

Do you know for certain if that is actually true?

Hilton Head has several surprising treasures that you might not have known existed or thought to explore.

If you’re looking for something to do this weekend, try visiting at least one of these six ‘hidden gems’ located around the island.

The Saturday, October 14th, an annular solar eclipse will cross North, Central, and South America. It will be visible in parts of the United States, Mexico, and many countries in South and Central America, but we’ll only get a partial solar eclipse here in Beaufort, SC.

That’s good enough.

During the eclipse, the Moon will cross in front of the Sun, spending up to 5 minutes 17 seconds centered on the brilliant solar disk, but it will cover at most 90% of it. The remaining 10% will appear as a blazing “ring of fire” around the Moon’s black silhouette viewable by only the lucky ones in the western part of the U.S. Only eight U.S. states, from Oregon through Texas, will see the ‘ring of fire’.

Here in Beaufort, SC and the surrounding area, the partial eclipse will last about 3 hours and 1 minute starting on Saturday, October 14th around 11:51am. It will reach its maximum for our area at around 1:21pm and will end at 2:53pm.

During a partial solar eclipse, the Moon, the Sun and Earth don’t align in a perfectly straight line, and the Moon casts only the outer part of its shadow, the penumbra, on Earth, according to timeanddate.com. From our perspective, this looks like the Moon has taken a bite out of the Sun.

Sometimes, the Moon covers only a tiny part of the Sun’s disk. Other times a partial eclipse looks almost like a total eclipse. The size of the eclipsed area is referred to as eclipse magnitude.

But be careful. During partial and annular solar eclipses, the Sun remains dangerously bright. There’s no time during the October 14th solar eclipse when you can look directly at the Sun without eye protection, no matter where you’re viewing it from in the Lowcountry.

In 2017, South Carolina was lucky enough to experience a total solar eclipse, where the whole sun was covered in the path of totality. It’ll be coming again next year, too.

For safety tips, check out this video from the folks at EarthSky.com.

The next solar eclipse coming to Beaufort will arrive early next spring. It’ll be the total solar eclipse of April 8, 2024. That one will be safe to observe with the naked eye at totality. After that, there are several eclipses coming our way in the next few years.

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