The Creation of the Water Festival Logo

The task of creating a logo to represent the Water Festival proved to be a challenge of both imagination and time allotment. Recounting the experience, Marsha said she vividly remembered designing the logo amid time constraints. However, despite the pressure, she delivered 23 different logos promptly.

A Timeless Design – The Wheel of Maritime Heritage

The timeless design chosen showcases a ship’s wheel, aptly inscribed with “Water Festival” at the top, along with “Beaufort, S.C.” at the bottom. The design has a distinct ability for the anchor insert to be switched out and replaced with other motifs related to the festival. This logo’s crisp and simple design makes it easily recognizable and continues to capture viewers’ attention.

Festival Art Beyond the Logo

While the Water Festival logo is Marsha’s most recognized work for the event, her artistic influence extends beyond that. She also has had the privilege of designing the official t-shirt for the festival. The t-shirt, showcasing a fresh design each year, is a much-anticipated part of the celebration, sold exclusively by the Water Festival Committee.

For the 1981 festival, the featured design included a picturesque depiction of palm trees against a serene water backdrop—an embodiment of the breathtakingly beautiful Beaufort sunsets, sunrises, and moonlit nights. Marsha also designed the official Children’s Day silkscreen design for that year—a fun and jovial clown face.

Maintaining Safety Alongside Celebration

The Water Festival not only takes pride in celebrating Beaufort’s rich maritime heritage, but also in maintaining the safety and well-being of its attendees. In keeping with this commitment, the festival has an explicit rule against bringing any alcoholic beverages, in any form, into the Waterfront Park where admission fees are charged or donations solicited. All drinks must be dispensed in either plastic or paper cups, with bottles, glasses, or cans strictly prohibited for safety reasons.

Legacy of the Water Festival Logo

For over four decades, the Beaufort Water Festival logo has served as a link between the local community and its maritime tradition. It continues to be an emblem that instantly reminds residents and visitors alike of the city’s vibrant water culture and the much-celebrated annual Water Festival. Thus, the water wheel logo stands not only as a testament to Marsha’s artistic contribution but also as a timeless symbol that will keep weaving the stories of Beaufort’s maritime heritage for years to come.