SOUTH CAROLINA – May 10, 2007 – South Carolina has long been recognized for its wide array of scrumptious delights. Whether it’s fresh seafood, traditional barbecue or sun-ripened fruits and vegetables, South Carolina is home to many dishes appealing to a variety of palates.
SOUTH CAROLINA – May 10, 2007 – South Carolina has long been recognized for its wide array of scrumptious delights. Whether it’s fresh seafood, traditional barbecue or sun-ripened fruits and vegetables, South Carolina is home to many dishes appealing to a variety of palates. Visitors can indulge in authentic cuisine by attending one of the many food festivals scheduled for 2007. These festivals take place in locations across the state, celebrating culinary traditions. Many of the festivals also feature arts and crafts, music and activities children will love. Bring the whole family and feast at one of the following festivals:
July
Lexington County Peach Festival – July 4
Each July 4, the town of Gilbert, 25 miles from Columbia, hosts the Lexington County Peach festival. Heaven awaits peach lovers as there are plenty of peachy treats available such as peach ice cream, peach tea, peach delight, peach sundaes, peach cobbler, peach zip, peach slush and fresh sliced peaches. The day-long festival includes free entertainment, arts and crafts displays and concludes with a spectacular fireworks show. For more information, visit www.midnet.sc.edu/peach/.
South Carolina Festival of Discovery – July 13 - 14
Discover the food, history, culture and people of central South Carolina. Enjoy a South Carolina state championship cook-off featuring some of the best barbecue teams in the country. Located roughly between Columbia and Greenville, Greenwood offers up great taste and flavor of South Carolina barbecue and traditional black kettle hash. The event is sanctioned by the Kansas City Barbeque Society, whose mission is to celebrate, teach, preserve and promote barbecue as a culinary technique, sport and art form. Enjoy a weekend of food, fun, music, amusement rides and dance to an outstanding lineup of blues musicians. For more information, please visit: www.uptowngreenwood.com/Events_FestivalofDiscovery.aspx
South Carolina Peach Festival – July 23 - 27
The town of Gaffney pays tribute to the state fruit with the South Carolina Peach Festival. Along with the famous peachoid water tower along Interstate 85, this festival salutes the peach industry, which produces over 200 million pounds of harvested peaches a year in South Carolina. The festival includes concerts featuring national country music acts, sporting events, a parade, truck and tractor pulls and delicious peach desserts. For more information, visit www.scpeachfestival.org.
Pageland Watermelon Festival – July 20 - 22
Sit back, relax and watch a watermelon-themed parade travel down Main Street in Pageland, a historic community in northeast South Carolina near the North Carolina border. Local beauty queens compete for the title of Watermelon World Queen. Stroll through the streets of Pageland and savor the delicious selection of foods. Enjoy the wonderful assortment of traditional music, including beach, country and southern gospel. Delight in the specialties of the car show and admire the talents displayed at the festival rodeo. For more information, visit www.pagelandcham.net.
August
Pelion Peanut Party – August 9 - 11
Farmers in Pelion, a mere 20 miles or so from Columbia, have been producing and harvesting peanuts for years. It has long been an autumn tradition for the townspeople to gather for the annual boiling of the peanuts. Today, members of the Pelion Ruritan club continue the tradition at the annual Pelion Peanut Party. The Ruritans use a secret recipe for boiling the peanuts; however, they are more than happy to share the final product with festivalgoers. This year’s festival features a craft show, parade, bingo, a car show, a home grown Idol competition and Palmetto Amusement rides for the children. For more information, visit www.scpeanutparty.com.
September
Southern Exposure – September 14 - 16
This delicious three-day experience in Greenville showcases the finest in wine, food and music through programmed tasting events, celebrity chef-hosted culinary demonstrations, multi-course dinners and live musical performances. This impressive festival features domestic and international wines, renowned chefs, master sommeliers and national recording artists. Visit the award-winning city of Greenville and celebrate the thriving culinary and arts communities. Feast without guilt, as proceeds from this event will support the “Local Boys Do Good”501(C)(3) organization, started by restaurateur Carl Sobocinski and platinum selling musician Edwin McCain to benefit Upstate non-profit organizations. For more information, visit www.southernexposuregreenville.com.
Hilton Head Island Food Festival – September 13 - 16
The Hilton Head Food Festival features extraordinary culinary creations of Hilton Head Island and Bluffton. Part of the 10th annual FOODFEST which celebrates the talent of the local hospitality industry, food-lovers will delight in this grand tasting event which features samples from some of the area’s most popular restaurants. Children’s activities and local entertainment are provided. For more information, visit www.hiltonheadhospitality.org/sections/food-fest/.
Irmo Okra Strut Festival – September 28 - 29
Located only 12-miles outside of Columbia, the strut began as a fundraiser by the Lake Murray-Irmo Women’s Club to raise money for a new library. Today, it is the largest known celebration of the slimy green vegetable. The first day includes the Okra Strut street dance featuring two favorite beach bands. Saturday begins with a parade and a 10K “Dam Run” to Irmo. Festivities include more than 100 arts and crafts exhibitors, “Okryland” kids' area, okra-eating and -growing contests and a full day of musical entertainment. For more information, visit www.irmookrastrut.com.
October
Squealin’ on the Square – October 3 - 4
In South Carolina’s scenic Upstate not far from Greenville and Spartanburg, the town of Laurens hosts a KCBS State of South Carolina barbecue cook-off to start the “Squealin’ on the Square” festivities. This two-day festival features arts and crafts, music, a petting zoo, barbecue awards, an antique tractor show and non-stop entertainment. For those who wish to unleash their inner pig, the festival features a traditional “hawg-calling” contest. For more information, visit www.mainstreetlaurens.org/events.htm.
Beaufort Shrimp Festival – October 5 - 7
The historic town of Beaufort celebrates Lowcountry cuisine and incorporates fun activities for all ages. Local restaurants offer samples of Lowcountry dishes featuring shrimp and other delights. Prizes are awarded for “best recipe” and “most creative recipe” honors. Highlights of the event include a Friday evening concert in the park with live entertainment, a plethora of shrimp dishes, and lighted shrimp boats providing the backdrop of the event. Visitors will enjoy Lowcountry traditions and cuisine while dancing under the stars. For more information, visit www.beaufortsc.org/gen_ipage.php?cat=visitor&subcat=fest_events&submenu=Shrimp.
Taste of the Town – October 16
With over 1,000 restaurants, Myrtle Beach is a food lovers’ paradise. In October visitors can enjoy over 50 of the seaside resort’s most popular restaurants. Specially selected restaurants gather at the local convention center and provide samples of culinary treats for a nominal price. This event is considered a make or break for the area’s new restaurants, so the chefs go all out to showcase their specialties. Eat without the guilt, as proceeds from this event benefit local schools. For more information, visit www.discoversouthcarolina.com/products/404.aspx.
Oktoberfest – October 19 - 21
Nestled in South Carolina’s mountain country, Walhalla pays tribute to the famous German festival, Oktoberfest, with a showcase of crafts, food, an authentic German band, dancers, magic shows and a country music band. The festival features a carnival, stunning fireworks display, and for the brave, hot air balloon rides and sky divers. For more information, visit www.walhallasc.com/octoberfest2003.htm. Apple Harvest Festival – October 18 - 20 In rural York County, not far from metropolitan Charlotte, apple lovers delight in this seasonal South Carolina festival. Patrons participate in apple picking, hay rides, cider making, pumpkin picking, apple peeling contests, Johnny Appleseed stories and delicious baked apple goods. For more information, visit www.windyhillorchard.com.
November Chitlin’ Strut – November 24
Each Saturday after Thanksgiving, thousands are drawn to Salley in rural Aiken County between Columbia and Augusta to celebrate the chitlin' (pigs’ intestines) that have been a southern tradition for over one-hundred years. Squeal like a pig for the hog-calling contest and strike a pose at the strut contest. The festival also features food, crafts, a beauty pageant, carnival rides and a car show. For more information, visit http://www.chitlinstrut.com/.
South Carolina is a destination rich in vibrant landscapes, diverse culture and extensive history. Located on the southeast coast of the United States and bordered by North Carolina and Georgia, South Carolina is acclaimed for approximately 200 miles of idyllic Atlantic Ocean coastline. The Palmetto State is the place to explore nature’s best, unwind in first-class luxury hotels and spas, celebrate at a variety of festivals or find a small-town gem. Anywhere within its borders, visitors will find smiling faces and beautiful places. For a South Carolina vacation guide, please call the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism at (866) 224-9339. For more information on South Carolina, visit the Web site at www.DiscoverSouthCarolina.com.