Things to Do: Festivals and the Arts

Festivals

the Arts

Sumter 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 nonprofi t 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.

with the Mary McLeod Bethune Legacy Festival.

Downtown Sumter offers plenty to enjoy. A summer concert series is held on the fourth Friday of every month from May to September. On Saturday mornings, make your way to the Downtown Market where local vendors offer items from fresh produce to arts and crafts. In addition to its monthly programs, the historic Sumter Opera House hosts performances and presentations throughout the year, spanning the genres of film, music, dance, comedy and theater. A number of special events are held downtown each year. Oktoberfest in September and Derby Day in May both bring a full block party to Main Street. Fall in Sumter just wouldn’t be the same without the savory smells of funnel cake, cotton candy and corndogs in the air. Follow your nose and you will find yourself at the Sumter American Legion Fair. Visitors experience rides, games, shows and food while many also show off their handiwork in a variety of competitions, such as quilting, artwork, and canning.

For food-lovers, Porches of Sumter, Fall Feast and the Chili Cook-off and Beer Tasting are popular annual events. Recently, the addition of Untapped, a food truck and craft beer event, has brought even more culinary delights. Each of these events features local cooks, restaurants and businesses presenting their best recipes for you to enjoy. Patriot Hall hosts countless internationally renowned performances in its 1,017-seat auditorium. You can see music, dance and theatrical presentations as well an annual Comic Con. The Sumter County Gallery of Art features revolving exhibits from traditional to contemporary and includes art by local, regional and nationally recognized artists. Sumter Little Theatre puts on several productions each season, bringing critically acclaimed scripts to life. SLT also offers youth acting classes for growing young thespians. The Sumter County Museum’s mission is to promote the history of Sumter through the preservation and exhibition of objects, manuscripts and documents that relate the story of Sumter. The museum includes the Williams Brice House (1916), the Heritage Education Center (2003), the Carolina Backcountry Homestead and the Temple Sinai Jewish History Center. The Town of Mayesville in Sumter county also recently reopened its downtown with renovation.