Update July 23: Well, we're nearly at the end folks as we've passed the 36 hour mark on the festival. 

So if you've been slacking on heading downtown, now's the time.

Scroll on down for the goodies that our left tonight and Sunday.

And, as always, head over to one of our topic pages for more coverage: The Water Festival topic page.

First reporting: Well it's about that time of year, folks: Water Festival is here.

This is the 56th annual installment of the annual event with Bob Bible serving at this year's commodore when it kicks off on the night of Friday, July 15, and runs until the Commodore's Ball on Saturday, July 23.

The daily events are what a lot of the annual favorites: Motown Monday, River Dance, Lowcountry Supper and the talent show. The entertainment for the big Saturday night concert this weekend is Lee Brice; and Josh Thompson and the Chrome Bullet Crew.

Here's the details on what's slated:

FRIDAY, JULY 15

Festival Art and Craft Market
Noon - 5 p.m., Promenade, Waterfront Parkover 50 booths with handmade Arts and CraftsOpening Ceremony 
Sponsored by South Carolina Education Lottery
Gates open 6 p.m., Ceremony begins 7 p.m.
Featuring the Parris Island Marine Band
and a spectacular Fireworks Show at dusk.
Free admission
Shuttle service available from Beaufort County Government Center 

SATURDAY, JULY 16

Raft Race
Sponsored by Boundary Street Collision Center
9 a.m., Waterfront Park
Entry fee, $185 for Commercial
$145 for Military or Non-profit
application
Bocce Tournament
Sponsored by JoCo Construction
9 a.m., Waterfront Park
Entry fee: $40 per 2-person team
application
Festival Art and Craft Market9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Promenade, Waterfront Park
over 50 booths handmade Arts and Crafts
Sponsors' Expo
10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Waterfront Pavilion
FreeChildren's Toad Fishing Tournament
Sponsored by Sea Island Atlas Van Lines
10 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., Waterfront Park
Free ages 12 and under onlyBring your own Rod, Reel and TackleBait will be provided
Coast Guard Cutter Tours
10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Waterfront Park
FreeShrimp Boat Tours
Noon - 4 p.m., Waterfront Park
Free

Lowcountry Estuarium
10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Waterfront Park
FreeBadminton Tournament
Sponsored by A.C. Harvey's Screen Printing
11 a.m., Waterfront Park
Entry Fee $30 per team
applicationGatorland Ski Show
1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m., Beaufort River, Waterfront Park
FreeSailing Regatta
Sponsored by Ameris Bank
2:45 p.m.- 4:45 p.m., Beaufort River in front of seawall
application
CONCERT IN THE PARK
Sponsored by NEW COUNTRY BOB106.9 FM
8 p.m. - 11:30 p.m., Waterfront Park
Gates open 7 p.m., Show starts 8 p.m.
Entertainment by country music artist Lee Brice
opening with Josh Thompson.
NO STROLLERS ALLOWED
Admission $20.
For advanced tickets please click on the tickets & merchandise link at the top of the page
Shuttle service available from Beaufort County Government Center 

SUNDAY, JULY 17

Festival Art and Craft Market9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Promenade, Waterfront Park

Boat Bingo
Sponsored by Yacht Club Enterprises
10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Local Waters
Entry fee, complete information click hereCoast Guard Cutter Tours
10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Waterfront Park
FreeShrimp Boat Tours
Noon - 4 p.m., Waterfront Park
Free

Lowcountry Estuarium
10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Waterfront Park
Free

CHILDREN'S DAY
Sponsored by Coca-Cola
Featuring Magic Marc and other shows with rides, games, and prizes
11:00 a.m. - 3 p.m., Waterfront Park
Free

Gatorland Ski Show
2 p.m. - 4 p.m., Beaufort River,Waterfront Park
Free

Sailing Regatta (continued)
Sponsored by Ameris Bank
2 p.m. - 5 p.m., Beaufort River in front of Beaufort Yacht and Sailing ClubTEEN DANCE
Sponsored by Technical College of the Lowcountry
6 p.m. - 9 p.m., Waterfront Park
Gates open 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. ( No entry after 8 p.m.) NO RE-ENTRY ALLOWED.
Entertainment by D.J. Ross Brown
Ages 13-17 only--VALID ID REQUIRED 
CLUTCH PURSES ONLY (6x9)size
Admission $10.
For advanced tickets please click on the tickets & merchandise link at the top of the page
No shuttle service available 

MONDAY, JULY 18

Croquet Tournament
Sponsored by Modern Jewelers
9 a.m., Waterfront Park
Entry fee: $40 per tournament team, $30 per co-ed team
application

Festival Art and Craft Market
12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Promenade, Waterfront Park

MOTOWN MONDAY
Sponsored by Actus Community Fund/AMCC at Tri-Command
8 p.m. - 11 p.m., Waterfront Park
Gates open 7 p.m., Show starts 8 p.m.
Entertainment by Deas Guyz, 
Admission $7. FREE to ACTIVE DUTY MILITARY with valid Military ID.
For advanced tickets please click on the tickets & merchandise link at the top of the page
Shuttle service available from Beaufort County Government Center

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TUESDAY, JULY 19

Croquet Tournament (continued)
Sponsored by Modern Jewelers
9 a.m., Waterfront Park

Festival Art and Craft Market
12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Promenade, Waterfront Park 

TROPICAL TUESDAY 
Sponsorship available
8 p.m. - 11 p.m., Waterfront Park
Gates open 7 p.m., Show starts 8 p.m.
Entertainment by Conch Republic
Admission $12.
For advanced tickets please click on the tickets & merchandise link at the top of the page
Shuttle service available from Beaufort County Government Center

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 20

Croquet Tournament (continued)
Sponsored by Modern Jewelers
9 a.m., Waterfront Park

Festival Art and Craft Market
12 p.m. - 5 p.m., Promenade, Waterfront Park

TALENT SHOW
Hosted by the Preceptor Omega Chapter of
Beta Sigma Phi Sorority.
Sponsored by McDonald's.
7 p.m. - 11 p.m., Waterfront Park
Gates open 6 p.m., Show starts 7 p.m.
Admission $10, Free with Official 2011 Beaufort Water
Festival T-Shirt.
application
For advanced tickets please click on the tickets & merchandise link at the top of the page
Shuttle service available from Beaufort County Government Center

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THURSDAY, JULY 21

Croquet Tournament Finals
Sponsored by Modern Jewelers
9 a.m., Waterfront ParkFestival Art and Craft Market
12 p.m.- 5 p.m., Promenade, Waterfront ParkLOWCOUNTRY SUPPER
Sponsored by Waste Pro
6 p.m. - 11 p.m., Waterfront Park
Gates open 6 p.m., Supper served 6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Opening with the Groovetones
Entertainment by the World Famous Whistlers
followed by 7 Bridges, an Eagles tribute band
Admission $15. 
For advanced tickets please click on the tickets & merchandise link at the top of the page
Shuttle service available from Beaufort County Government Center

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FRIDAY, JULY 22

Festival Art and Craft Market
9 a.m. - 5 p.m., Promenade, Waterfront Park

Bed Race
Sponsored by Advanced Mold Technologies
5 p.m., Bay Street, starting at Harrington Street
ends at Newcastle Street.
Entry fee: $25 per bedRIVER DANCE
Sponsorship available
8 p.m. - Midnight, Waterfront Park
Gates open 7 p.m., Show starts 8 p.m.
Entertainment by Superglide
opening with the Broke Locals
MUST BE 18 OR OLDER WITH VALID ID TO ATTEND
NO STROLLERS ALLOWED
Admission $12
For advanced tickets please click on the tickets & merchandise link at the top of the page
Shuttle service available from Beaufort County Government Center

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SATURDAY, JULY 23 

Festival Art and Craft Market
9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Promenade, Waterfront ParkWater Festival Grand Parade
Sponsored by the greenery, inc.
Organized by the Beaufort Lions Club
10 a.m. - Noon, Downtown Beaufort 
Entry fee: $25
application

Lowcountry Estuarium
Noon - 4 p.m., Waterfront Park
Free

Coast Guard Cutter Tours
Noon - 4 p.m., Waterfront Park
FreeShrimp Boat Tours
Noon - 4 p.m., Waterfront Park
FreeCorn Hole Tournament Finals
Sponsored by Boondocks Restaurant and Sports Bar 
11:30 a.m., Waterfront Park- Double Elimination Frame Tournament to determine the last 3 spots
in the field
1:00 p.m., Single Elimination Tournament Finals
Entry fee, $30 per 2-person team
applicationAir Show 
1 p.m. - 4 p.m., Waterfront Park
Free
(Beaufort River Closed- refer to the link on the home page for dates and times)

COMMODORE'S BALL
Sponsored by Mazzanna's Lawn Care
8 p.m. - Midnight, Waterfront Park
Entertainment by Legends of the Beach
Gates open 7 p.m., Show starts 8 p.m.
Admission $10.
For advanced tickets please click on the tickets & merchandise link at the top of the page
Shuttle service available from Beaufort County Government Center 

SUNDAY, JULY 24

Festival Art and Craft Market9 a.m. -2 p.m., Promenade, Waterfront Park

Blessing of the Fleet and Parade of Boats
Sponsored by the Water Festival Commodores
Noon - 2 p.m., Beaufort River in front of Waterfront Park
Free - boats must register to be eligible for prizes
All applications must be at the judges stand prior to noon. 
Prizes will be awarded for:
Best decorated boat Commercial $100 
Best decorated personal watercraft $100
Judges award $100Lowcountry Estuarium
Noon - 2 p.m., Waterfront Park

Head on over to the Water Festival website for a full schedule of events.

You also can head over to The Island Packet for an overview of this year's Water Festival.

We'll be out there Friday night when gates open at 6 p.m. to take some shots of the opening ceremonies. Hope to see you out there.