2014 Guide to the Iris Festival

iris festival GUIDE 2014

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iris festival CHAIRMAN’S LETTER

Wow! It is hard to believe that it is time for the Iris Festival again!

This event is Sumter’s oldest and largest festival. The event was first held in 1940, and from the very beginning has brought thousands of people from around the state to our great city. This year’s festival is no exception. We look forward to welcoming people from across the Southeast and we hope their stay will be a great one.

The Iris Festival is celebrating its 74th Year and has been named one of the “Top 20 Events” by the Southeast Tourism Society. As in years past, this year’s festival will be filled with entertainment the entire family can enjoy. From the kid’s area in the Heath Gardens to the Garden Street side, there is something for everyone. It is all FREE! The fun begins on Thursday, May 22 with the Taste of the Gardens. The “Taste” offers great food, prepared by local restaurants and individuals, and music for everyone to enjoy.

No need to purchase food tickets this year. Cash will be accepted by the vendors. We are excited to welcome “4-Way Stop” as our musical guests during the Taste. Tickets are only $5 and children 5 and under are admitted FREE. The event is from 6 – 9 pm.

Special this year, the Sumter Iris Festival Commission is proud to welcome “Troy Landry” from the “Swamp People” ® Television Series and Award-Winning Topiary Artist, Pearl Fryar, to Swan Lake Iris Gardens on Saturday May 24, in conjunction with the 2014 Sumter Iris Festival.

On Friday, May 23rd, while the Arts & Crafts and Marketplace vendors are setting up, Tuomey Community Health Initiatives will offer free health screenings at the Swan Lake Visitors Center from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. In addition, “Petco” and SAFE KIDS Sumter County, will present an Education Day, “Wild about Education and Safety,” from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

As always, some of the festival’s most popular events will return and offer even more fun for the family. The Jamil Shriner Streakers of Sumter’s Annual Shrine Day Parade will be Saturday, May 24 at 9 a.m. Make note that the parade will start at the Sumter County Civic Center, move down Liberty Street, and turn up Alice Drive.

The annual Iris Festival Pet Show, hosted by the Sumter SPCA, will be held at the Heath Pavilion on Saturday, May 24 at 11:30 a.m. There are lots of events to participate in during the festival.

All three days of the festival are packed with things to see and explore and live entertainment, and festival admission is FREE. Ongoing events throughout the festival include Art in the Gardens, Gateway to Gardening, Arts & Crafts, Food Court, Marketplace, ”Just Kidding Around” Children’s Area, and Children’s Art in the Park. Check the Iris Festival brochure for the times of the events you would like to participate in during the festival.

I would like to thank everyone who has worked with the 2014 Iris Festival and give a special thanks to the Swan Lake Garden staff, who keeps the gardens beautiful all year.

I would also like to thank our sponsors because without them, we could not offer this wonderful event to the public at no charge each year.

Most of all, we want to pass along a big “THANK YOU” to our community for all the support and encouragement that it gives us throughout the year. Sumter is the best community anywhere!

We hope you enjoy all the events and we will see you at the gardens!

Lynn Kennedy 2014 Iris Festival Chair

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iris festival CELEBRATING 74 YEARS

Put on your dancing shoes, bring your appetite and prepare to experience one of the most exciting Sumter Iris Festivals held to date! The festival, held every Memorial Day weekend and now in its 74th year of celebration, will highlight new talents, activities, music, crafters, artists, classic cars and more over the weekend of May 23-25, 2014.

The 2014 festival, sponsored by Continental, Duke Energy Progress, First Citizens Bank, SAFE Federal Credit Union, Walmart, City of Sumter and Sumter County, is South Carolina’s oldest continuous festival and was named by the Southeastern Tourism Society as one of the Top 20 Festivals in the Southeast last year.

The three-day festival includes concerts, an arts and crafts show, fine arts, plants for sale (including our famous Japanese irises), a flower show, two car shows, and a number of contests and free children’s activities.

The fun begins the Thursday evening before the festival, with the annual crowning of the King and Queen, followed by the Taste at the Gardens. The Taste features great music and food from some of the area’s leading restaurants, caterers and talented cooks.

Look for some delightful changes to the Taste, the committee is in the planning stages now, but word is some special cuisine will be served in honor of the festival’s special guests this year. 4-Way Stop will be the entertainment the May 22nd event. They are a four-piece local band from Sumter and plays oldies from the late 60’s and early 70’s and other “good time” music.

One of two headlining special guests for the 2014 festival is renowned topiarist Pearl Fryar, an award-winning, selftaught artist who has, since 1980, turned his Bishopville, SC home into a nationally recognized topiary garden. Fryar believes that gardening and love should go hand in hand and that a garden should be pleasing to the eye, as well as touch the soul and spread the message of love and peace. His 400 topiary and metal sculptures have been featured in numerous national gardening magazines, television news programs across the country, and even a documentary. A Man Called Pearl chronicles his journey and has been shown on Oprah Winfrey’s OWN channel.

Fryar will be sculpting shrubs on May 24th on the Bland Garden side of Swan Lake Iris Gardens in the “Gateway to Gardening” area of the festival, next to the gazebo, throughout the day. His creations will be auctioned off to bidders on Sunday, to help raise money for future festival activities.

Festival newcomers East Coast Scooters will host a golf cart contest at the 2014 festival, on the lawn between the Swan Lake Visitors Center and the Iris Market.This contest is open to anyone with a custom designed or special interest golf cart and prizes will be given out to those 6 GUIDE TO THE IRIS FESTIVAL • A SUPPLEMENT TO THE ITEM

with the most unique, best of show and people’s choice. Pre-registration is required in order to participate.

Also new this year is “The Art of Welding” from Central Carolina Technical College. Metal art sculptures, made by area students, will be on display and over the weekend will go up for auction during the festival. Sculptures available will range from a life-size alligator, heron, and catfish, to various smaller pieces. Auction proceeds will go to the CCTC Scholarship Fund, specifically for welding students. The sculptures and auction will be located directly in front of the Swan Lake Visitors Center during the festival.

A last-minute addition in 2013, Iris Festival Education Day will return in 2014 with a bigger and better program. This is a special day set aside for area schools to visit and participate in activities during the festival, and is set for Friday, May 23rd from 10 am to 1 pm. The theme for Education Day this year is “Wild About Education.” Activities will include a wild animal presentation, scavenger hunt, arts & crafts, boat ride, animal safety and more. Schools are required to pre-register. Teachers and /or chaperones need to make all arrangements with the Swan Lake Visitors Center at (803) 436-2640 prior to May 9th if you plan to participate.

The second headlining event at the 2014 festival is a meet and greet with Troy Landry from the Swamp People® television series. He will be signing autographs in the Visitors Center on Saturday, May 24th from 10 AM to 4 PM. Tickets are required for those wanting an individual autograph and photo opportunity.

For more information, visit www.irisfestival.org or call (803) 436-2640.

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iris festival SCHEDULE OF EVENTS FRIDAY, MAY 23 12:00 to 1:00 1:00 to 1:30 2:00 to 2:30 2:30 to 3:00 3:00 to 3:30 3:30 to 4:00 4:00 to 5:00 5:00 to 5:30 5:30 to 6:15

Crestwood High School Chorus Singing Knights Harmony Church, Hands-On-Praise Puppets USC Steppers We Three, Camden, SC Najah Blassingame Tequan Coe, Violinist, Hartsville Dennis Turner Dreamworks Dance Academy Believer’s Quartet

SATURDAY, MAY 24 1:00 to 4:00 10:45 to11:00 11:00 to11:30 11:30 to 12:00 12:00 to 1:00 1:00 to 1:30 1:30 to 2:00 2:00 to 2:30 2:30 to 3:30 3:30 to 4:00 4:30 to 5:30 5:30 to 6:00

Lexi the Clown, Columbia, SC Iris Kings and Queens introduced Diaper Derby & Parade sponsored by Dreamworks Dance Academy SHS Jazz Band SHS Jazz Band Sumter Tae Kwon Do Brendan Kirby, Summerton, SC Freed School of Performing Arts Allison Skipper, Aiken, SC TBA Miss Libby’s School of Dance Last Generation Quartet

SUNDAY, MAY 25 1:00 to 4:00 1:00 to 1:30 1:30 to 3:00 3:00 to 4:00 4:00 to 4:30

Lexi the Clown, Columbia, SC Bill Eaker, Myrtle Beach, SC Wings and Whimsies, Columbia, SC Cross Anchor Quartet, Kenny Brice Najah Blassingame

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GUIDE TO THE IRIS FESTIVAL • A SUPPLEMENT TO THE ITEM 9

TROY LANDRY FROM THE SWAMP PEOPLE® TELEVISION SERIES Appearing at the Sumter Iris Festival (Saturday only from 10 AM to 4 PM)

Troy Landry’s proven that he’s King of the Swamp. He’s caught giant beasts, roamed far and wide to fill his boat with gators and escaped harm many times. As he heads into his 30th season as an independent alligator hunter, Troy wants to begin handing down the responsibility of the business to his boys. At the end of this season, it will probably be time to hang up his hooks and retire, but he can’t even think about retiring until he can firm up the future of the Landry family business. His biggest priority of the season – aside from tagging out – is figuring out who will join Jacob as the Landry boat captain in the future.

The 2014 Sumter Iris Festival will host a meet and greet with Troy Landry from the Swamp People® television series.

He will be signing autographs in the Swan Lake Iris Gardens Visitors Center on Saturday, May 24th from 10 AM to 4 PM. This year’s festival, sponsored by Continental, Duke Energy Progress, First Citizens Bank, SAFE Federal Credit Union, Walmart, City of Sumter and Sumter County, is South Carolina’s oldest continuous festival and was named by the Southeastern Tourism Society as one of the Top 20 Festivals in the Southeast last year.

Entry to meet Troy Landry is based on a first come, first served basis and tickets (cash only at the door) are required for an autograph and photo.

Along with the many other special events written about in our last edition, all those oldies, but goodies are still part of the weekend festivities, including: the Iris Festival Pageant, Children’s Art in the Park, Shrine Day Parade, Diaper Derby & Parade, SAFE Kids Adventureland, Children’s Pet Show, Head Turnerz Classic Car Show, Sumter Cruisers Show & Shine, Swan Lake Boat Rides, as well as many vendors and activities with arts & craft, food court, marketplace, Art in the Gardens and Gateway to Gardening and more!

The Sumter Iris Festival runs Friday and Saturday, 10 AM to 6 PM and Sunday, 10 AM to 5 PM. For more information visit www.irisfestival.org or call (803) 436-2640.

10 GUIDE TO THE IRIS FESTIVAL • A SUPPLEMENT TO THE ITEM

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iris festival TASTE OF THE GARDENS

Each year more than a thousand hungry festival-goers come out for one of the most popular events of the Iris Festival – “The Taste of the Gardens.” The Taste, as most Sumterites refer to the event, kicks off the festival each year. This year the Taste will be held on the Garden Street Stage Thursday, May 22 from 6 – 9 pm.

The Taste offers a wide variety of foods from local restaurants, caterers and individuals.

Logans, Chick-Fil-A and Bakers Sweets are just a small sample of the businesses that will be out there this year. No need to purchase food tickets this year, cash will be accepted by the vendors. Admission tickets are only $5.00 and are available at the gate. Children under 5 years old are FREE. The featured band this year is 4 – Way Stop. Come on out and join the community at this year’s Taste of the Gardens. When else can you eat some great food, talk with friends, dance a little and even take an evening boat ride on Swan Lake?

Only during the Iris Festival each year. Make plans to join us today.

enjoy!

12 GUIDE TO THE IRIS FESTIVAL • A SUPPLEMENT TO THE ITEM

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GUIDE TO THE IRIS FESTIVAL • A SUPPLEMENT TO THE ITEM 13

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iris festival CAR SHOWS

HEAD TURNERZ CAR CLUB SUMTER SPRING BLAST CAR SHOW

The Head Turnerz Car Club will be at the Iris Festival on Saturday, May 24, 2014 from 9 am – 4 pm. It will be located on the Heath Pavilion Garden Street side of Swan Lake.

This car show is a great way to display your cars, win prizes and enjoy some great music on the Garden Street Stage. Cars will be a judged on the following criteria; Paint, Engine, Interior, Wheels and Trunk. There will also be a People’s Choice, Kids Choice, Host Car, Rat Rod and Best of Show. Please come out and enjoy the Car Show and The Swan Lake Iris Gardens.

The Head Turnerz Car Club or the City of Sumter is not responsible for loss, injury or damage to property or person. For more information and details on registering for this show, call Ken Burdick (803) 840-1305.

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SUMTER CRUISERS

Iris Festival Show & Shine 2014

The Sumter Cruisers, a non-profit organization for car and truck enthusiasts, will be at the Iris Festival on Sunday May 25, 2014 from 10 am - 5pm. This will be a member’s only display.

The “Iris Festival Show & Shine 2014” will give members the opportunity to show some of the hottest cars and trucks around in the Sumter and Shaw area. All sorts of cars and trucks will be represented, from vintage to present. Please come and see us at the new display area on the Heath Pavilion Garden Street side of Swan Lake during the Iris Festival.

You can check us out at: www.sumtercruisers.com

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iris festival ARTS & CRAFTS

The Arts & Crafts and Marketplace areas are always a big attraction at the Iris Festival.

This year’s festival is no exception.

Arts & Crafts will offer a variety of craftsmen exhibiting and selling their work. Handmade items such as woodwork, jewelry, clothes, paintings, stain glass, lawn and garden and much more, are just a few of the vendors that will be displayed this year. The Arts & Crafts area is located directly across from the Swan Lake Visitors Center.

The Marketplace area features vendors with unique manufactured goods. This area is located near the main stage near the playground area. Food vendors are mixed in between each area for our guest’s convenience.

Both areas will be open Friday and Saturday 10 a.m. – 7 p.m. and Sunday 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Come look for some great bargains on unique gifts.

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iris festival CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES FREE KIDS AREA:

The Iris Festival’s “Just Kidding Around” area will provide lots of fun and activities for the children. It is all FREE! The amusement area will feature many rides, games and fun for children to enjoy.

The “Just Kidding Around” area is open all three days of the festival. See festival schedule for times. And again it is all FREE!

FREE CHILDREN’S ART:

Children can use their creative side and participate in the “Children’s Art in the Park,” sponsored by the Sumter County Gallery of the Arts. Children will be able to paint, create and take home a special treasure from the festival as a memory of their visit. “Children’s Art in the Park” will be open Friday, May 23 from 10 am – 5 pm, and Saturday, May 24 and Sunday, May 25 from 12 noon - 5 pm.

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GUIDE TO THE IRIS FESTIVAL • A SUPPLEMENT TO THE ITEM 19

iris festival KING AND QUEEN

For over 20 years, the Sumter Volunteers have hosted the crowning of the Iris Festival King and Queen. The area High Schools will send their brightest and best to compete. The King and Queen are chosen from area high school seniors and future leaders. Each is awarded a $500 scholarship. The award recognizes achievements in scholarships, character, school and civic involvement. The Iris Festival King and Queen will be crowned during the Opening Ceremony of the Festival at the Heath Pavilion on Thursday, May 22 at 5:15 pm

Kim Kelly M. Aud., CCC-A

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GUIDE TO THE IRIS FESTIVAL • A SUPPLEMENT TO THE ITEM 21

iris festival PET SHOW

The annual Iris Festival Children’s Pet Show, hosted by the SPCA, will be held Saturday, May 24 at the Heath Pavilion. Registration is at 11:00 AM with judging at 11:30 AM. All participants must be 12 years of age or younger.

All participants are eligible to win. Trophies will be awarded for first through sixth place winners for the general class categories. A large trophy will be awarded to the winner of the Best of Show Class. Categories include: Cutest, Ugliest, Largest, Smallest, Most Unusual, Best Groomed, Best Personality, Most Obedient, Best Trick, and Best Dressed.

Owners must provide a current rabies certification for dogs, cats or ferrets. All pets must be leashed or caged and controlled at all times. An owner can enter up to two pets, but the two pets entered must be in different classes. Judges have the right to refuse any entry. Come join us for a fun time! Always remember all animals much remain at the Heath Pavilion and ARE NOT ALLOWED in the Gardens to protect the animals that call Swan Lake their home.

animals!

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iris festival ART IN THE GARDENS

Art in the Gardens features both local and regional artists and fine craftsmen. All mediums of art are usually on display with some having emphasis on the Iris Gardens. Woodturning, photography, watercolor originals, and even garden art are displayed around the Gazebo area for the entire weekend. Art in the Gardens is staged on the Bland side of Swan Lake offering shade to those visiting.

The Master Gardeners are available to answer questions and this is the only time during the year that visitors can purchase Irises from within the gardens. There are restrooms available on the Bland side as well as a food vendor to accommodate your need for “a bite to eat.” The ground is level and easy to push both strollers and wheelchairs.

In the Gazebo there will be daily entertainment for your relaxation and enjoyment in a style that lends itself to the Art in the Gardens. The Bland Side also features many paths, bridges and venues featuring the famous Japanese Iris and the 8 species of Swans for you to photograph as a reminder of your visit.

The Iris Festival is very excited this year to bring Award-Winning Topiary Artist, Pearl Fryar, to the Gazebo on the Bland Side of the gardens. Mr. Fryar has been featured in the documentary “A Man Called Pearl” and has been featured in magazines such as Southern Living. He has a beautiful topiary garden at his home in Bishopville, SC. Mr. Fryar will be showing visitors how to create beautiful topiaries and his work will be on display. Mr. Fryar will be on the Bland Side on Saturday, May 24 from 10 am – 5 pm.

Plan to have part of your agenda be a visit to Art in the Gardens and enjoy watching some of the artists actually creating their work. The Arts in the Gardens will be open 10:00 am – 6:00 pm on Friday & Saturday and 10:00 am – 5:00 pm Sunday.

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GUIDE TO THE IRIS FESTIVAL • A SUPPLEMENT TO THE ITEM 25

iris festival SAFE KIDS ADVENTURELAND

SAFE KIDS Sumter County, funded by the Tuomey Foundation, will sponsor the SAFE KIDS “Adventureland” on Saturday, May 24, during the Iris Festival. Adventureland is an educational, safety fair located in the playground area of the gardens. Adventureland is offered from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

SAFE KIDS will conduct a Bike Rodeo, where children will have the opportunity to ride a special course learning the rules of the road for bicycle safety and learn the proper safety equipment needed when riding. Children will also learn the safe ways to wear their helmet.

This safety area will also feature educational displays from various community partners.

Kiwanis Club of Sumter will provide free fingerprinting for the children. The fingerprint kits give parents a way to create a comprehensive personal file of their child. The kit includes personal information that can be valuable and a great time saver if a child is ever lost.

Other displays include the SC Department of Public Service’s “Rollover Simulator” that will teach children the importance of wearing your seat belt. Informational displays from Sumter Family Health Center & Carolina Women’s Specialists, a division of Sumter Family Health Center, Sumter Fire Department, Sumter Aquatics Center, Palmetto Healthy Starts and more.

For information, contact Cheryl Jackson at www.safekidssumter.com.

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26 GUIDE TO THE IRIS FESTIVAL • A SUPPLEMENT TO THE ITEM

GUIDE TO THE IRIS FESTIVAL • A SUPPLEMENT TO THE ITEM 27

iris festival PARADE

The Jamil Shriner Streakers of Sumter would like to invite you to the 9th Annual Shrine Day Parade. The Streakers mission has been to give support and hope to the kids of Sumter for almost 90 years. This event assists the Shriners in fulfilling that mission.

This year’s parade will be held on Saturday, May 24, 2014. The parade, in conjunction with the 2014 Iris Festival, will begin at 9:00 am. It will feature dignitaries, beauty queens, funny cars, floats, bands and much more. And of course, the silly Shriners in their little cars and trucks will be zipping up and down the streets.

The parade route begins at the Sumter County Civic Center on Liberty Street. The parade will proceed down Liberty Street in front of the Swan Lake Iris Gardens and turn right onto Alice Drive. The parade will then turn right onto Miller Road and end at USC Sumter.

28 GUIDE TO THE IRIS FESTIVAL • A SUPPLEMENT TO THE ITEM

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30 GUIDE TO THE IRIS FESTIVAL • A SUPPLEMENT TO THE ITEM

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iris festival DIAPER DERBY

The Iris Festival Diaper Derby and Dress-Up Parade will take place on the Main Stage at Swan Lake Iris Gardens starting at 11:00 am on Saturday, May 24. It is available for children ages birth to 17 months. Entries must be in diapers, either cloth or plastic. The Derby and Parade are sponsored by Dreamworks Dance Academy.The Iris Festival Queens and King will present winners their awards. There is no charge for these events.

DRESS-UP PARADE – 11:00 AM For the best decorated diaper contest, dress your child like a Swan, bunny, iris, cowboy, hula dancer, hunter, Mickey Mouse, princess, red bug, pirate, soldier etc. Diapers can be decorated by painting, sewing or gluing accessories to the diaper.

Children may wear matching hats, shirts, shoes etc. to accessorize the decorated diaper.

Children may walk or be carried as they Parade in front of the audience and judges.

DIAPER DERBY – IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE DRESS-UP PARADE There are two divisions: CRAWLERS and STROLLERS up to age 17 months. Adults should be at the start and finish line to support the contestant.

Applications are available at www.irisfestival.org, Swan Lake Visitors Center (436.2640) or email Jane Player-Privette at irispageant@sc.rr.com or tourism@sumter-sc.com.

For more information call Jane Player-Privette, Director, 468-0251.

32 GUIDE TO THE IRIS FESTIVAL • A SUPPLEMENT TO THE ITEM

810 Broad St Sumter (803) 778-2500 2077 Wedgefield Rd Sumter (803) 775-1500

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Senior Citizens 15% Discount

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GUIDE TO THE IRIS FESTIVAL • A SUPPLEMENT TO THE ITEM 33

EconoLodge of Sumter WELCOMES YOU TO

The Iris Festival

EconoLodge supports Green hotel practices.

You can unwind in our seasonal outdoor pool and enjoy these additional hotel amenities: Free Wireless Internet • Deluxe Continental Breakfast Free Local Newspaper • Coffee Service/Micro Fridge Units Meeting Space • Guest Laundry Stay minutes from Swan Lake Gardens, Sumter County Museum, Exhibition Center, and the Sumter Opera House.

$49.99 IRIS FESTIVAL RATE

34 GUIDEWASHINGTON TO THE IRIS FESTIVAL • STREET A SUPPLEMENT|TO SUMTER, THE ITEM 226 NORTH SOUTH CAROLINA | 803.775.2323

GUIDE TO THE IRIS FESTIVAL • A SUPPLEMENT TO THE ITEM 35

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