Festivals & the Ar ts
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umter is home to a variety of “can’t miss” activities and events hosted each year by the Chamber, the City, the County and various civic groups and nonprofit organizations. An annual favorite and one of the best-known events is the Iris Festival. A lush botanical garden once hailed by Southern Living Magazine as “a lovely mistake,” Swan Lake-Iris Gardens has hosted the festival since 1940. The three-day event, opening with the Taste at the Gardens, kicks off Memorial Day weekend. While visiting the festival, you will see fabulous displays of Japanese irises in bloom as well as all eight species of swans. A variety of food, music, arts and crafts and a children’s play area are just a small sampling of what the event has to offer. Swan Lake-Iris Gardens also serves as the backdrop for local events such as the Fantasy of Lights, which features a twinkling display of more than one million lights that amaze children and adults alike during the month of December. Speaking of December, there is no shortage of holiday activities in Sumter to keep your schedule full. The Nutcracker ballet, the Christmas parade, the Holiday House Tea/Tour, Christmas-themed events hosted by local churches and Carolina Backcountry Christmas at the Sumter County Museum should not be missed. Sumter County is rich in African-American heritage, and locals celebrate that history. Festival on the Avenue brings elements of African-American art and culture to attendees. Just down the road, the town of Mayesville hosts its own special celebration
Downtown Sumter offers plenty to enjoy. A summer concert series is held on the fourth Friday of every month from May to September and features local musicians. The concerts are free and open to Sumter locals and visitors. To learn more about local festivals and events, visit the Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce’s website at www.sumterchamber.com or visit the City of Sumter at www.sumtersc.gov.
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Guide to Sumter 2021
