🚨 Don’t Be Alarmed by the Booms: Lafayette Bicentennial Celebration in Beaufort This Week

Updated March 20, 2025
There is still time to enjoy some of the events related to the 200th anniversary of Marquis de Lafayette's visit to Beaufort, S.C.

In the Footsteps of Lafayette: An Artistic

sion- Close out this week’s festivities with a Revolutionary Era inspired exhibit featuring local artists. Stop by the John Mark Verdier House Museum (basement)📍801 Bay Street downtown Beaufort Friday and Saturday 10-3.

🎈Children's Day at the Beaufort History Museum - Step back in time to 1780 for a day of fun, history, and hands-on adventure! Happening Saturday from 10-4 📍713 Craven St. Beaufort. Cannon firings at 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM, and 2:00 PM

Originally published: March 17, 2025

If you hear cannon fire on Tuesday, don’t panic—it’s just Beaufort celebrating in style. On March 18, 2025, The city will commemorate the 200th anniversary of Marquis de Lafayette’s visit with a series of lively events.

Expect cannon and musket fire around 10:00 AM and increased pedestrian activity throughout the day. Plan accordingly and consider alternate routes to navigate the festivities.

🚗 Road Closures:

• Bay Street (from Charles to Scott Street): Closed from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM

• Scott Street (from Bay Street to Port Republic Street): Closed from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM

• Craven Street (from Scott Street to Carteret Street): Closed from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM

🚫 No Street Parking:

• Bay Street & Scott Street: No parking starting at 7:00 AM

• Craven Street: No parking starting at 3:00 PM

Towing will be enforced in no-parking zones. Please use alternate routes and expect delays.

Event Highlights:

• 10:00 AM: Re-creation of Lafayette’s 1825 arrival at Henry C. Chambers Waterfront Park, featuring a 13-musket and cannon salute.

• Procession: Parade along Bay Street to the John Mark Verdier House for official welcomes and the unveiling of a commemorative marker.

• Living History Demonstrations: Ongoing activities and exhibits along Scott Street and at the Beaufort History Museum.

• 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM: “Dancing with Lafayette” event at the Beaufort Arsenal Courtyard.

For a detailed schedule and more information, visit the Historic Beaufort Foundation’s website.

Who was Lafayette?

His commitment to liberty and human rights extended beyond the battlefield; he advocated for the abolition of slavery and was instrumental in drafting the Declaration of the Rights of Man and of the Citizen during the French Revolution.  via Lafayette.edu

Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier, known as the Marquis de Lafayette, was a French aristocrat and military officer who played a pivotal role in both the American and French revolutions. At the age of 19, Lafayette defied his king to join the American Revolution, volunteering to fight under George Washington. He became a close ally and friend to Washington, contributing significantly to key battles such as the Battle of Brandywine and the Siege of Yorktown.

Significance of Lafayette’s Visit to Beaufort

On March 18, 1825, during his grand tour, Lafayette visited Beaufort, South Carolina. His arrival was marked by a 13-gun salute by the Beaufort Volunteer Artillery and a procession through a triumphal arch, followed by a reception and ball that lasted into the early morning hours.  This visit holds particular significance for Beaufort, as it not only honored a hero of the American Revolution but also strengthened the bond between the United States and France. Lafayette’s presence served as a reminder of the enduring ideals of liberty and democracy that both nations cherished.

The upcoming Lafayette Bicentennial Celebration in Beaufort commemorates this historic visit, reflecting on the enduring legacy of Lafayette’s contributions to the fight for freedom and the lasting friendship between our nations.