Brace Yourselves, Beaufort! A Weekend Full of Parades Ahead!

Brace Yourselves, Beaufort! A Weekend Full of Parades Ahead!

Hey there, Beaufort! Get ready for an exciting weekend that honors our nation’s veterans and celebrates our rich history. It’s time to grab your chairs and spot a good view, because both the Penn Center Heritage Days Parade and the Veterans Day Parade are set to take the streets by storm. So, whether you’re planning to attend or just want to steer clear of the traffic, we’ve got all the important details you need!

Penn Center Heritage Days Parade

Kicking things off is the Penn Center Heritage Days Parade on St. Helena Island, which takes place this Saturday. Do you love culture and community? This parade is for you! The festivities are a part of a three-day celebration that honors the vibrant Gullah Geechee culture. This year, the fun begins at 9 a.m., so be sure to mark your calendars.

For those planning to travel in the area, here’s what you should know: from 8:45 to 10 a.m., Sea Island Parkway will be reduced to a single lane. And that’s not all! From 8:45 a.m. to 1 p.m., Martin Luther King Jr. Drive will be completely closed to vehicle traffic. So, if you have a busy Saturday planned, consider taking a different route and avoid those delays!

Veterans Day Parade

But wait, there’s more! Just when you thought the excitement was winding down, the annual Veterans Day Parade rolls into town on Monday! Set to start at 10 a.m., this much-anticipated event is a heartfelt tribute to all of our local veterans and active service members. The parade will march its way through the lovely streets of Boundary and Bay, drawing thousands of spectators from our military-minded community.

“We are a military town and we are loaded with veterans,” shares one of the parade organizers. It’s no wonder Beaufort and Port Royal are home to three military installations, including Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, the Naval Hospital in Port Royal, and Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, a whopping 11.1% of Beaufort County’s population of 187,000 are veterans—significantly higher than the South Carolina average of 8.4%.

Expect the crowd to be lively and full of spirit, with residents often claiming their favorite viewing spots hours in advance! “Everybody has their spot,” says one enthusiastic attendee. You’ll find locals staking out their chairs with a cup of joe, eagerly waiting for the parade to begin.

Parade Route and Participation

The parade kicks off at the corner of Adventure and Boundary streets, proceeding down Boundary toward Bellamy Curve and onto Carteret Street before making its way to Bay Street and concluding on Bladen Street. As of Thursday, around 45 to 50 units have already signed up to participate, and the final deadline to join in the celebrations is today! If you’re interested in more info or have any questions, feel free to reach out to Beaufort County Veterans Affairs at 843-255-6880.

Final Thoughts

So, Beaufort, whether you’re getting comfy in your lawn chair or navigating around town, get ready for a weekend filled with community spirit, history, and heartfelt tributes. Whatever you choose to do, we hope you enjoy the festivities and take a moment to appreciate this wonderful community and the heroes who serve. Happy parading!