Boats & boaters: On the water

New name, new attitude at Harbor Fest

Tuesday, July 1, 2008

Photo by Matt Winter
Tideline

New name, new attitude at Harbor Fest

Charleston’s annual maritime festival featured new organizers, a new name — Harbor Fest 2008 — and certainly a new attitude this year.

The feisty May event included such traditional draws as pirate re-enactors, family boat building, cannon firing demonstrations and a fleet of visiting tall ships, including the Freedom Schooner Amistad.

Ashley Garner
The Post and Courier

Pirate re-enactors

But 2008 also brought a number of highoctane maritime attractions to Harbor Fest venues. At Patriot’s Point, festival attendees could take helicopter tours of Charleston Harbor and watch wild aeronautic displays.

Pro wakeboarders also wowed the Patriot’s Point crowd with huge jumps during Step Up Productions’ “Rail Jam”.

The wakeboarders weren’t pulled behind a boat; a stationary eight-horsepower engine reeled in a cable that pulled them at 18 mph through an elongated pool. The wakeboarders then launched themselves along rails and off ramps, sometimes flying nearly out of the pool.

MARITIME EVENTS

JULY 4TH CELEBRATIONS:

Patriot’s Point: Watch a fireworks display launched from the deck of the Yorktown, listen to live bands, and feast on Lowcountry fare. Free for landside entertainment, Kidz Zone and fireworks. Call 884-2727 or visit www.patriotspoint.org.

Folly Beach: Play in the sand or fish off the Pier before the fireworks launch from the ocean at dark. Visit www.cityoffollybeach.com.>

SEWEE SUMMER MOVIES FOR FAMILIES:

Enjoy two 30-minute National Geographic Nature Videos at the Sewee Visitor and Environmental Education Center, 5821 S.C. Highway 17 North, Awendaw.

July 9: “Camouflage, Cuttlefish and Chameleons Changing Color” and “Wonders Down Under”;

July 16: “Tadpoles, Dragonflies & the Caterpillar’s Big Change” and “Totally Tropical Rain Forest”;

July 23: “Flying, Trying and Honking Around” and “Cara the Sea Turtle”;

July 30: “Animal Adventures, Alligator and Crocodile” and “Cain the Coyote.”

Free. Ages 6-12. Call 928-3368.

BOATER EDUCATION COURSES:

Charleston County: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. July 10 at Ft. Johnson License Building, 217 Ft. Johnson Road, James Island.

Berkeley County: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. July 14 at Santee Cooper Auditorium, 1 Riverwood Dr., Moncks Corner. Bring a No. 2 pencil, highlighter, lunch/snack and know your Social Security number. Children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration required at www.dnr.sc.gov. Call 953-9378 for directions.

DJ MCKEVLIN GROMFEST:

July 12-13. Head out to Folly Beach for this year’s Gromfest honoring the late Dennis McKevlin. Grab your board to surf, or just watch this for-fun U-18 competition. Deadline to register is July 6. Call 588-9856 or visit http://ssc.surfesa.org.>

S.C. WATERSKI STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS:

July 12-13. Watch some of the best slalom skiers, jumpers and trick skiers from across the state compete at Trophy Lakes, 3050 Marlin Road, Johns Island. Free. Call 559-2520.

LOW COUNTRY DISCOVERY, REPTILES!:

July 12. Explore the Francis Marion National Forest and Cape Romain National Wildlife Refuge. Learn about various reptiles of South Carolina. 10 a.m.-noon. Ages 8-12. Free. Registration required by July 10. Call 928-3368.

WEDNESDAYS AT THE WATERFRONT:

July 16: Artist Lynne Riding presents ‘Pritchard Island Series’ followed by a presentation by Coastal Conservation League’s Patrick Moore on “Our Fragile Marsh Islands.”

July 23: Installation artist Paul Hitopoulos presents “Divided Waters” followed by a presentation by CCL’s Nancy Cave entitled ‘A Coal Plant’s Impact on the Pee Dee River.” 11 a.m.-noon at City Gallery at Waterfront Park, 34 Prioleau St., Charleston. Free for CCL members; bring a bag lunch. Call 723-9895.

GOT A MARITIME EVENT?

Please send it to abi@tidelinemagazine.com.

Boats & boaters: On the water

New name, new attitude at Harbor Fest

New name, new attitude at Harbor Fest

MARITIME EVENTS

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