By james art 
Beaufort, the second oldest city in South Carolina, has refined the southern hospitality for centuries. Founded in 1711 by English settlers, the city quickly gained attention, becoming a popular summer retreat until the 19th century. Today, Beaufort maintains an atmosphere, offering sandy beaches, dolphin tours and shrimp festivals that worship its agricultural roots. People from Gula, Afro -American Group in the region, which has retained much of its African heritage, also remains an integral part of the community. If you are prepared to be greeted with a smile, a bowl of warm crab soup and a charming corn game, Beaufort is the friendly city you were looking for.
The culture and the people of Gula
Gula is Afro -Americans residing in the area of the low side of Georgia and South Carolina. They are recognized to preserve their African cultural and linguistic heritage more than any other African -American community in the United States. Their English Creole language contains various African loan words and grammatical influences from African languages. Today, the plots of goula, music, cuisine, crafts, popular beliefs and agricultural traditions are widespread throughout the community in Beaufort.
One of the best ways to experience the culture of this community is through a visit to one of their festivals. The original Gula Festival, held annually in Bofire, offers a wide range of cultural activities. Visitors can participate in workshops to study deals such as weaving baskets, quilling, drums or musical instruments. In addition to practical activities, the festival hosts the participation of lectures and discussions that give a deeper look at the Gula community. The performances are another focus of the weekend, including drums, live groups, dances, choirs and historical reconstructions. You will not want to miss the chance to learn about this group.
Annual events and festivals
In addition to the original Gula Festival, numerous cultural events and festivals bring together the Beopher Community every year. The Oyster Beaufort Festival launches the festivals of the year, offering a variety of oyster preparation, Oyster Boogie 5K, corn tournament and lots of live music. The Beopher International Film Festival followed in February and includes several days of local and international film screenings, followed by conversations with filmmakers, forums and speakers. For the taste of the best dishes in the area, be sure to attend the Beaufort Festival in May, where you can try signature signs from local restaurants.
Are you curious about the current local talent? The Low Side Music Festival held in June is the ideal opportunity to find new performers presenting music performances in all genres in the low side region. In October, travelers can enjoy some freshly caught shrimp and unique shrimp dishes during the Beaufort annual shrimp festival. The festival will also have a market for arts and crafts, which will give you a chance to find the perfect souvenir.
Nearby beaches and water recreation
Situated on Port Royal In the heart of the maritime islands of South Carolina, Beaufort offers convenient access to numerous beaches and water entertainment activities. With so much natural beauty to enjoy, it is no wonder that this small community of 14,000 covers such a peaceful rate of life. Sands Beach, just over 10 minutes by car from town, is the nearest beach. Free and open to the public during the day, this is a popular place for both residents and tourists, offering activities such as kite flying, sunbathing and even shark tooth hunting along the coast. The State Park of Hunting on an island requires a little more driving, but it’s worth a visit. This state park is the most popular in South Carolina, attracting over one million visitors a year. Throughout the park, travelers can explore thousands of acres of sea forest and swamp, ocean entrance and salt water lagoon. There are also many marine wild animals to be careful about.
For those who are eager to get on the water, the Beaufort Kayak Tours offers excursions with excursions by transferring visitors through the salt swamps at Low Tide right in the center of Beaufort. They will even let you jump in the water when the weather is warm. A trip to Beaufort would not be complete without a dolphin. Consider booking a tour with Beaufort Dolphin Adventures, which takes cruise travelers through the waterways of the city, passing wild dolphins and remote beaches.
Culinary scene
During the weekends, especially on warm, sunny days, restaurants become key places to collect the community, many of which hold important cultural values. Lady’s Island DockSide, for example, served good food and community hospitality since 1990, although the original place was closed in 2015. Due to water damage, Lady’s Island’s location continues to work proudly at Beaufort, offering views of water views And the dishes with a signature like crab soup and a New England Clam cup. Bricks on Boundary is another extremely popular place in the city offering American -style cuisine and a whimsical atmosphere, with unique touches such as state registration plates hanging on the terrace. In a rural style brunch mood? Blackstone’s coffee, open until 14:00 every day, serves some of the best southern style snacks in the city, including dishes such as Kaidi shrimp and grits and beef from beef.
Definitive thoughts
While many visit Beaufort because of his natural beauty, they often leave impressed by his southern hospitality. Decades of restaurants, lively oyster festivals and the thriving community of Gula are just some of the elements that unite people and maintain the spirit of the city alive. Although it is difficult to find a community in South Carolina, which is not friendly, Beaufort has a unique warmth that makes it stand out as one of the most friendly.