Iris Festival Guide 2024

Iris Festival 2024 GUIDE

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Iris Festival Letter from the Chair

The Sumter Iris Festival Commission is so excited to celebrate its 82nd festival May 24 – 26, 2024, 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 23, with the Taste at the Gardens. The “Taste” offers great food, prepared by a variety of vendors, and music for everyone to enjoy. This year our theme is Hawaiian Luau, and we encourage everyone to dress up! 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 – 9 p.m. We will also have the Charleston Polynesian Dancers perform and pass out leis.

On Friday, May 24, 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 inaugural Krawlin’ for Christ parade will take place on Saturday, May 25, 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 boat rides on the lake, 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 or irisfestival.org for the times of the events you would like to participate in.

I would like to thank everyone who has worked with the 2024 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

2024 Iris Festival Chair

Primary Care

Eagerton Family Practice

Robert S. Eagerton, MD* / Carmen Roberts, DO*

Amber P. Newman, NP

200 East Hospital Street, Manning, SC 29102 (803) 433-0439

McLeod Primary Care Clarendon

Lisa E. Heichberger, MD* / Laine Way, MD

Susan Caulkins, FNP / Susanne Johnson, FNP

50 East Hospital Street, Suite 3 Manning, SC 29102 (803) 435-8828

Palmetto Adult Medicine Sumter

Harry A. Jordan, Jr., MD

Andrew J. Reynolds, MD

Hugh T. Stoddard, Jr., MD

Katherine S. Coffey, PA-C

Emily J. Miller, PA-C

1295 Wilson Hall Road, Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 905-6800

McLeod Primary Care Turbeville

Michael O. Ouzts, DO / Abbie Kirby, PA-C

Amanda McConnell, PA-C 944 Smith Street, Turbeville, SC 29162 (843) 659-2114

McLeod Family Medicine Kingstree

Raina McKenzie, PA-C

1200 North Longstreet Street, Kingstree, SC 29556 (843) 355-5459

Cardiology

McLeod Cardiology Associates

Prabal Guha, MD / John Rozich, MD, PhD

Dennis Lang, DO

540 Physicians Lane, Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 883-5171

Manning Clinic: 21 East Hospital Street, Manning, SC 29102

Obstetrics and Gynecology

McLeod Women’s Care Clarendon

Monica Ploetzke, MD / Thomas C. Key, MD

Katee L. Wyant, MD / Tom Chappell, CNM

Allison Saran, CNM, WHNP

Rebecca Cartledge, APRN, CNM

Shaquinda Dowdle, DNP, APRN, CNM

50 East Hospital Street, Suite 2, Manning, SC 29102 (803) 433-0797

Orthopedics

McLeod Orthopaedics Associates

Rodney K. Alan, MD / Chaz McDonald, NP

Scarlett Manchin, NP

540 Physicians Lane, Sumter, SC 29150 (843) 777-7900

50 East Hospital Street, Suite 6, Manning, SC 29102 (803) 433-3065

Surgery

McLeod Surgery Clarendon

Devonne D. Barrineau, MD / Laura Collins, FNP

50 East Hospital Street, Suite 4, Manning, SC 29102 (803) 435-2822

Urology

McLeod Urology Associates Sumter

Michelle B. Miller, NP

540 Physicians Lane, Sumter, SC 29150 (803) 340-5100

Vascular

McLeod Vascular Associates

William C. Jackson, DO

540 Physicians Lane, Sumter, SC 29150 (843) 777-7043

* Not accepting new patients at this time

Iris Festival King and Queen

For more than 20 years, the Sumter Iris Festival has hosted the crowning of the Iris Festival King and Queen. Sumter area high schools send their brightest and best to compete, with a King and Queen chosen from high school seniors and future leaders. Each winner is awarded a $500 scholarship.

The King and Queen awards recognize achievements in scholarships, character, school and civic involvement. The student nominees from each school will be recognized at the Iris Festival Ribbon Cutting at the Heath Pavilion on Thursday, May 23, at 6 p.m. The Iris Festival King and Queen will be crowned during Taste at the Gardens at the Garden Street Stage at 6:15 p.m. that same day.

Join us in celebrating the leaders of our next generation!

Iris Festival Taste at the Gardens

Aloha!

Join us on Thursday, May 23, at the Garden Street Stage for one of the most popular Iris Festival events – the annual “Taste at the Gardens”! Kick off the annual celebration from 6 – 9 p.m. with a variety of foods from local restaurants, caterers, food trucks and individuals. Admission is FREE, and vendors will be accepting cash.

This year’s event sports a luau theme, with Hawaiian attire encouraged. Break out your most colorful clothing and dance to the music of DJ Howie D, and enjoy a

performance featuring the Charleston Polynesian Dancers. You can also enjoy the once-a-year-only opportunity for a boat ride on Swan Lake!

Make your plans now to attend Taste at the Gardens on May 23. It’s a “can’t miss” occasion! This event is sponsored by the University of South Carolina Sumter.

Thursday, May 23 6-9 p.m.

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Iris Festival Entertainment

FRIDAY, MAY 24, 2024

10 a.m.

• Vendors open

• Tandem Health Wellness Screenings in the Visitor Center

• Bill Eaker on the Main Stage

• Petting zoo opens

• Boat rides begin

• Festival trolley starts

• Children’s Art in the Park crafts begin

11 a.m.

• Tandem Health Wellness Screenings end

12 p.m.

• Kids Area rides open

2:15 p.m.

• Kevin Jarvis on the Main Stage

4:15 p.m.

• Original Jazz Music (OMG) on the Main Stage

4:30 p.m.

• Just Vibes Band, Main Stage

6 p.m.

• All vendors close

• Petting zoo closes

• Boat rides end

• Trolley rides end

SATURDAY, MAY 25, 2024

9 a.m.

• Parade line up begins at Sumter Civic Center

• Head Turnerz Classic Car registration begins at the Heath Pavilion

10 a.m.

• Vendors open

• Krawlin For Christ Parade begins

• Carousel opens

• Petting zoo Opens

• Kids Area rides open

• Children’s Art in the Park crafts begin

• SAFE KIDS Sumter County Adventureland begins

• Boat rides begin

• Miss Libby’s School of Dance on the Main Stage

11 a.m.

• Hands On Praise Puppets on the Main Stage

• Head Turnerz judging begins, Heath Pavilion

• RTA Shuttle from Civic Center begins

• Over the Moon Stilt Walkers performance

12 p.m.

• Just Vibes Band on Main Stage

• Frank Fickling performance on Garden Street Side

1:15 p.m.

• Dreamworks Dance Academy on the Main Stage

2:15 p.m.

• Kevin Jarvis on the Main Stage

4 p.m.

• Head Turnerz Classic Car Show ends

• SAFE KIDS Sumter County Adventureland ends

5 p.m.

• Children’s Art in the Park crafts ends

6 p.m.

• Boat rides end

• Festival trolley ends

• Kid’s Area closes

• Petting zoo closes

• All vendors close

6:15 p.m.

• Last shuttle to Civic Center

SUNDAY, MAY 26, 2024

10 a.m.

• Vendors open

• Boat rides begin

• Petting zoo opens

• Shuttle buses from Civic Center begin

• Festival trolley begins

• Kid’s Area opens

• Adoption Day event at the Iris Market

1 p.m.

• Frank Fickling performance on Garden Street Side

• Sumter Cruisers Iris Festival Car Show begins at the Heath Pavilion

2:15 p.m.

• Green Swamp Collective on the Main Stage

3 p.m.

• Sumter Cruisers Iris Festival Car Show ends

3:30 p.m.

• Diaper Derby begins in field next to Visitor Center

4 p.m.

• Diaper Derby winners are announced

5 p.m.

• All vendors close

• Boat rides end

• Kids Area closes

• Festival trolley ends

• Petting zoo closes

5:15 p.m.

• Last shuttle to Civic Center

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Iris Festival

Tandem Health Health and Wellness Screening

Tandem Health will offer a FREE Health & Wellness Screening inside the Swan Lake Visitors Center on Friday, May 24. The fair will be from 9 – 11 a.m.

Free hypertension screenings will be provided.

Educational materials, giveaways and health-related displays will help everyone with the journey to maintain a well and active lifestyle. For further information or if interested in participating in this or other screenings, call (803) 774-4606.

Swan Lake Visitors Center

Friday, May 24 9-11 a.m.

Iris Festival Entertainment

The Sumter Iris Festival, May 24 – 26, features a weekend full of live entertainment across all three days. Along with performances from Miss Libby’s School of Dance, DreamWorks and more, popular local groups Green Swamp Collective and Just Vibes will bring a diversity of musical entertainment to the Main Stage.

Entertainment throughout the festival includes live performances, karaoke, boat rides, stilt walkers, face painting, a petting zoo and more. For a complete schedule of festival entertainment, visit irisfestival.org.

Green Swamp Collective

May 26

Main Stage 2:15 p.m.

Sumter’s Green Swamp Collective describes their sound as “a bit country with a folksy touch. Sometimes it might lean toward bluegrass, or it might even rock a little now and then.” Get a taste of their sounds online at greenswampcollective.com.

Just Vibes

May 25

Main Stage 12 p.m.

Just Vibes also hails from Sumter. Their sound is a smooth mix of talented vocals with an “old school” vibe. Just Vibes is developing quite a following with events in South Carolina and Georgia. Just Vibes is on Facebook.

Iris Festival Arts & Crafts/Marketplace

The stage is set, and with hopes for perfect weather, the Sumter Iris Festival Commission and our sponsors present the Iris Festival Arts & Crafts Show 2024. Both sections are located in the Heath Gardens near the gates at the main park entrance on West Liberty Street.

In the Arts & Crafts area are a variety of unique and beautiful masterpieces including one-of-a-kind jewelry, handmade quilts, handmade hair bows for the little ones, uniquely designed bird feeders, pottery and much more. As you stroll through the vendor areas, you will find woodworking, metal sculptures, clothing and accessories, along with a variety of outdoor decor. You will also want to take in the homemade bath soaps, hand-poured candles, re-purposed wood items and an array of other items.

New this year is the introduction of fine art into the Arts & Crafts area. Having outgrown the Art in the Gardens

section featured in previous years, local and regional artists and fine craftsmen will now be part of the festival’s largest vendor area. Woodturning, photography, watercolor originals and more will be on display in the Heath Gardens. Many of our artists will be creating as you watch!

Be sure to visit the Marketplace area, too, located near the Main Stage and playground area, where you will find displays of various types of merchandise, including samples of food and drink items for sale, clothing, household goods and lots of fun and educational items for kids.

Arts & Crafts and Marketplace will be open Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. and on Sunday from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Come on out and patronize the vendors while enjoying the beauty of the Swan Lake Iris Gardens. We hope you enjoy your time here and take home a treasure or two!

Where To Find The Good Stuff

SWAN

FRIDAY 10 A.M. - 6 P.M.

SUNDAY

FREE parking and shuttle services available from the Sumter County Civic Center Parking Lot (700 W. Liberty Street) with shuttle stops throughout the gardens.

RTA Stops

Sumter Visitors Center Garden Street Gate

Heath Pavilion Parking Lot

Sumter County Civic Center

RTA runs Saturday and Sunday only.

Iris Festival

Children's Activities

FREE Kids’ Area:

Every year, the Iris Festival’s “Kids Zone” area provides lots of fun and activities for children, and it’s all FREE! The expanded amusement area will feature rides, games, lots of fun activities and a special section for younger children to enjoy, with an area for parents to sit and watch the fun.

The main location for “Kids Zone” is beside the Swan Lake playground and will be open for the duration of the festival. In addition, we are once again welcoming a full-sized merry-go-round on Saturday and Sunday, May 25 and 26, that is suitable for kids of all sizes! There will also be a petting zoo featured on the lawn.

FREE Children’s Art:

Children get to explore their creative side by participating in “Children’s Art in the Park,” hosted by the Sumter County Gallery of the Art. Children will be able to paint, create and take home special treasures from the festival as a memory of their visit. “Children’s Art in the Park” will be open all weekend in the pavilion between the Iris Market and the playground.

Iris Festival Car Show

Head Turnerz Car Club

Saturday, May 25, 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Blinking Buzzards Car Club

Sunday, May 26

11 a.m. - 4 p.m.

The Sumter Iris Festival will once again host two car shows during the 2024 celebration. Both Saturday’s and Sunday’s shows are at the Heath Pavilion, located at the end of Garden Street.

Head Turnerz Car Club will host the 12thannual Spring Blast Classic Rides show on Saturday, May 25, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Admission is free to the public, and there is a show entry fee of $20. For more information, please contact Laura Davey at ldaveyrealtor@ gmail.com.

The Sunday car show is being held on May 26, brought to you by Todd Touchberry and Charlie Fossett and hosted by the Blinking Buzzards Car Club. The car show will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Named for a gang in the Buster Keaton classic "The High Sign,", the Blinking Buzzards previously participated in the 2022 and 2023 Iris Festival. Come out and enjoy classic cars! Need more info? Call Todd Touchberry at (803) 983-5430.

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Iris Festival 2024 Featured Artist

ARTIST Ernest Lee, “The Chicken Man”

Iris Festival 2024 is pleased to welcome back Ernest Lee, “The Chicken Man,” as this year’s featured artist. The popular folk artist has completed more than 11,000 paintings during his career, and his colorful, whimsical chickens are a fixture in the homes of art collectors throughout South Carolina. His work also includes other animals, pop culture figures and more. Mr. Lee began painting around age 5 and operates out of an open-air mobile art gallery. He can usually be found in Columbia, but has traveled across the state. This is his second time being featured at the Iris Festival.

View Ernest Lee's art

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Iris Festival SAFE KIDS Adventureland

SAFE KIDS Sumter County, sponsored by the Tuomey Foundation, will host SAFE KIDS “Adventureland” on Saturday, May 25, at the Sumter Iris Festival. Adventureland is an educational safety fair located next to the playground area of the Heath gardens. Adventureland is open from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Available information will include tips for keeping safe at home and away. Participants will learn about the importance of child passenger safety, heat stroke information and a variety of other topics.

Informational displays will include Tandem Health Pediatrics and Tandem Health Obstetrics & Gynecology, Sumter OB, Prisma Health, Palmetto Tennis Center, Maternity Resource Diaper Pantry, Santee-Wateree Mental Health Center and more. Millwood Elementary School librarians will also read to the children.

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

Iris Festival Parade

This year, the Sumter Iris Festival hosts the inaugural Krawlin’ for Christ Parade on Saturday, May 25, 2024. Line-up starts at 9 a.m., and the parade heads down West Liberty Street from the Sumter County Civic Center at 10 a.m., with the route proceeding along Alice Drive to Miller Road. The parade features an exciting line-up of local businesses, kings and queens, floats, cars, trucks and motorcycles, local dignitaries, horses and more!

2024 marks the first year that the parade is presented by Krawlin’ for Christ, a family-oriented Christian Jeep group. The organization’s goal is to provide a family-friendly environment for Jeep enthusiasts to come together for fellowship and witnessing to others. For more information, contact them via e-mail at krawlinforchrist@sc.rr.com or contact them on Facebook.

For more information about the Krawlin’ for Christ Parade, contact krawlinforchrist@sc.rr.com

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PROPERTIES

Iris Festival Diaper Derby

After an absence of several years, the Sumter Iris Festival is pleased to announce that the Diaper Derby is back! Crawlers and toddlers up to age 17 months will be competing for prizes while showing off their finest diaper fashions. Iris Festival chair Kristin Milan says, “We’re excited to bring back the Diaper Derby, adding another element of family-friendly fun to this year’s festival."

All babies entered must crawl or walk

Diaper Derby

Lawn next to the Visitors Center

Sunday, May 26 3:30 P.m.

well enough to cross the finish line, and all diapers must be decorated. Whether painted, glued or sewn — creativity is encouraged! Feel free to add some spring flair with a hat, shoes or other accessories.

The entry fee for the Diaper Derby is $5, and it will take place on Sunday, May 26, on the lawn next to the Visitors Center. Applications are available online at irisfestival.org.

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