Once a year, in mid-summer, the sea island that holds Beaufort becomes a gigantic stage for one of the South's biggest outdoor events. Successful from its beginning, the Beaufort Water Festival has grown each year in importance and entertainment value, but is still worked as a community, non-profit project. The first Festival was held in July 1956, with John Bigbee serving as the first President and Gladys Thompson in charge of the visiting queens. The Lions Club took the job of putting on the first parade and has been doing so every year since.