My wife and I had a wonderful time celebrating our 9th anniversary in Beaufort, SC, during the Gullah Fest, which was marking its 41st year. Started in 1986, this special event, originally called Decoration Day, takes place every Memorial Day weekend to honor the beautiful Gullah/Geechee culture and its deep roots in the Lowcountry. For four decades, the Gullah Festival has proudly showcased the vibrant Gullah/Geechee heritage of the Sea Islands, highlighting the importance of preserving this rich culture and acknowledging the descendants of enslaved Africans who settled in the Lowcountry. As part of the celebration, there’s a special Decoration Day Play each year during the festival weekend that pays tribute to this historic event.
The festival took place at the beautiful Harry C Chambers Waterfront Park, where a lively atmosphere of events, food trucks, and vendors created a welcoming space for everyone. Attendees enjoyed performances by bands, dancers, and storytellers who beautifully highlighted the rich contributions of enslaved Africans to America, while also acknowledging the ways in which much was denied and erased from their history. It was a meaningful event that celebrated resilience and heritage.
It's fascinating to learn that during the final year of the Civil War, the Confederates transformed the planters' Washington Race Course (now Hampton Park) into an outdoor prison. Tragically, at least 257 Union soldiers lost their lives due to exposure and disease and were quickly laid to rest in a mass grave. In Charleston, South Carolina, newly freed slaves organized one of the nation's earliest Memorial Day observances on May 1, 1865. They exhumed these fallen soldiers, provided them with proper individual graves, and constructed a whitewashed fence around the site, complete with an archway bearing the inscription “Martyrs of the Race Course.” Many historians consider this event to be the true birth of the holiday. This contribution by the enslaved people was often overlooked or not acknowledged in history books, especially by those who didn’t want this brave act to be recognized.
During the Civil War, the brave and determined Robert Smalls, who was still enslaved at the time, took a daring step by commandeering a Confederate transport ship in Charleston Harbor. With courage and skill, he sailed it from the Confederate-controlled waters to the friendly U.S. blockade, then piloted it into the Union-controlled enclave in Beaufort, Port Royal, Hilton Head area, where it proudly became a Union warship. In this remarkable act, he not only freed himself, his crew, and their families but also inspired change — helping to persuade President Abraham Lincoln to accept African-American soldiers into the Union Army. After the war, Smalls continued his journey of service by returning to Beaufort, where he became a passionate politician, earning election as a Republican to the South Carolina Legislature and later to the United States House of Representatives during the hopeful Reconstruction era. There aren’t any Republicans now.
This article isn’t meant to be political, but more about sharing a bit of history and the joy of the experience. I truly enjoyed seeing the diversity and the friendly interaction among those attending, as everyone explored the charming local restaurants and stores. We had a wonderful time visiting the museums, art galleries, and bookstores that showcase Beaufort's unique character. Even though the city is small, it’s conveniently close to Bluffton and Hilton Head, just a few miles away. The food was delicious and comforting, adding to the warm atmosphere. We stayed in a cozy upstairs loft with a lovely view of the street and a nearby neighborhood tavern. Our location was perfect, just minutes from the waterfront. On Sunday morning, we felt the community spirit during church services in the park, and enjoyed watching talented actors and lively bands before the event wrapped up. Later, we returned to the loft and stepped onto the balcony to admire the beautiful fifteen-minute fireworks display, signaling the festival’s official end—a truly memorable experience.
My wife and I had a great time and a safe and peaceful drive to and from our destinations. We give God all the glory and praise.
