As Sen. Scott Richardson raced to get more candy from the car he was marching behind in the Water Festival Grand Parade, he was met with cheers and applause.

"Finally, a politician is doing some real work," a man shouted from the crowd, eliciting a laugh from Richardson, who had just secured a fresh handful of candy from the car's driver.

The 48th annual Beaufort County Water Festival might have been winding down, but it was going out with a bang Saturday.

Throughout the afternoon participants thrilled and cheered at the festival's events, despite temperatures reaching into the 90s. The parade was a gathering of some of the area's best-known dignitaries -- highlighted by a visit from Gov. Mark Sanford.

The governor joined Richardson, U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, and County Council members Mark Generales, Starletta Hairston and Dick Stewart to shake some hands at a lemonade social hosted by Rep. Catherine Ceips after the parade.

Later in the day, Marvin Morrison was introduced as the 2004 Commodore during the Change of Watch ceremony at Brantley Harvey's house in The Point. Morrison will be the lead organizer for next year's 49th annual Water Festival.

But just after the traditional Change of Watch, Saturday's blazing sun gave way to powerful thunderstormsthat soaked the city, submerged local roads and knocked out power throughout downtown.

For the second year in a row, inclement weather caused the cancellation of the Commodore's Ball, traditionally held as a send off for the old commodore and a welcome party for the new one.

Earlier in the day, area residents Gayle Naylor and Donna Lawrence joined hundreds of others marveling at the Air Show over the Beaufort River.

"I feel like I've just been to the beach," Lawrence said, awash in mist from a helicopter flying close to the water. "I can feel the saltwater on my face."

"I just think this is fabulous," Naylor said. "Our military's performance today was incredible."

Wayne Quinlan has attended at least 25 Water Festivals.

Quinlan grew up in Beaufort but moved to Irmo a few years back, he said. But that wouldn't stop him from coming back with his family to enjoy the event.

"I think there's a good mixture of family and adult entertainment," he said.

It's the perfect vacation, said Amy Cox, visiting Beaufort from Washington D.C.

"You have the activities in the evening, they are phenomenal, and the view is spectacular," she said looking toward the Beaufort River.

Today's events will include the Blessing of the Fleet at 11 a.m. and power boat races from 1 to 3 p.m.