Iris Festival Letter from the Chair

The Sumter Iris Festival Commission is so excited to celebrate its 81st festival May 25-28, 2023, at Swan Lake Iris Gardens. There are many new vendors, games and entertainment to enjoy this year, including a new layout for the entire festival!

This event is Sumter’s oldest and largest festival. The first one was held in 1940, and from the very beginning it has brought thousands of people from around the state to our great city. This year’s festival has some special surprises in store that we hope you will really enjoy. We look forward to welcoming people from across the Southeast, and we hope their stay will be a great one.

The Iris Festival is an annual tradition and has been named one of the “Top 20 Events” by the Southeast Tourism Society, as well as one of the “Top 100 Events in the United States” by the American Bus Association.

The fun begins on Thursday, May 25, with the Taste at the Gardens. The “Taste” offers great food, prepared by a variety of vendors, and music for everyone to enjoy. We are excited to welcome DJ Howie D as our musical guest during the Taste. This year, admission is FREE for everyone! The event is from 6 – 8:30 p.m.

On Friday, May 26, while the Arts & Crafts and Marketplace vendors are setting up, Tandem Health will offer a free health fair at the Swan Lake Visitors Center from 9 –11 a.m.

This year will also include new additions such as human bowling, inflatable axe throwing, a classic carousel and a petting zoo! There is also an extension to the kid’s area for younger ages to color, run, jump and play while parents have seating so they can catch a rest!

The Annual Shrine Day Parade will take place on Saturday, May 27, starting at 10 a.m. The parade will begin at the Sumter County Civic Center, move down Liberty Street and turn up Alice Drive to Miller Road.

All three days of the festival are packed with things to see and explore, along with live entertainment. Admission to Swan Lake Iris Gardens is FREE. Ongoing events throughout will include Art in the Gardens with featured artists, Gateway to Gardening, Arts & Crafts, Food Court, Marketplace, an extended Kid’s Area, Children’s Art in the Park and so much more. Check the Iris Festival book for the times of the events you would like to participate in.

I would like to thank everyone who has worked with the 2023 Iris Festival and give a special thanks to the Swan Lake Iris Gardens staff, who keep 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 with free admission every year.

Most of all, we want to pass along a big “THANK YOU” to our community for all the support and encouragement that you give us throughout the year. It is truly special to offer this event each year and it is only possible because Sumter is the BEST community anywhere!

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

Kristin Milan

2023 Iris Festival Chair