What Makes Irmo Special

Many things make Irmo a special place What makes Irmo special

What makes Irmo special? There are so many things. You can kayak on the scenic Saluda River from Saluda Shoals Park. Shop for the latest fashions at Columbiana Centre. Enjoy a professional or community performance at Midlands Tech’s Harbison Theatre.

And that’s just a start. Here are some of our very special events and places:

Okra Strut: The Lexington Medical Center Irmo Okra Strut has provided family fun for the Town of Irmo and neighboring counties since the early 1970s. The festival was primarily set up as a fundraiser for the Lake Murray-Irmo Woman’s Club in 1974, with the goal to build a new library for the Irmo community.

Now a nationally known event, the “Strut” keeps the traditions of street fairs of old. Nestled into its new permanent home in the Community Park of Irmo, the Okra Strut features a street dance, parade, arts and crafts, rides and amusements, petting zoo, and lots of festival food.

Held in the fall, the event kicks off on Friday evening with the street dance and Okra Eating Contest. On Saturday morning the second largest parade in South Carolina leads off with floats and entries from around the state. Amusements and rides provide hours of entertainment while vendors ply their wares.

Columbiana Centre: While the area in and around Irmo has changed substantially since 1990, one constant is the presence of one of the most dynamic shopping centers in the state.

“We’ve reached a point where we are consistently the first choice for retailers entering the Midlands,” said Columbiana Centre General Manager Andrew Peach. “Retailers recognize that we have the strongest demographics, the best mix of co-tenants and great customer loyalty — all of the things they are looking for when they open a new location.”

An affirmation of Peach’s statement is the lineup of first-to-market, exclusive retailers at the mall. Aldo, bareMinerals, Build-A-Bear Workshop, Charming Charlie, Coach, Forever 21, Hollister Co., Michael Kors, PANDORA, Sephora, Vans and Zumiez all have their only Columbia location at Columbiana Centre.

Amenities and events enhance the shopping experience at Columbiana. From the carousel and family events to blood drives, animal adoption events and celebrity appearances, the mall stays busy.

Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College brings in performers from all over the country and beyond. Shown here are, clockwise from left, Kalen Allen, Complexions and Edwin McCain. (Photos/Harbison Theatre)

Harbison Theatre at Midlands Tech: The 2019- 2020 Harbison Theatre at Midlands Technical College season is here with a diverse list of acts joining audiences in the coming year. The Texas Tenors return, Edwin McCain makes his HT@MTC debut, Thelma Houston brings her Motown sound, and some local series favorites from last year will add to the mix. Tickets are available today for these big shows at HARBISONTHEATRE.org, via phone at 803.407.5011, or at the Harbison Theatre Box Office. See you at the theatre! luda River, this 480-acre regional park offers an 11,000-square-foot Environmental Education Center and Exhibit Hall and the 10,000 square-foot state-ofthe-art conference facility, the River Center.

For more casual recreation, the park has paved and unpaved trails; a river observation deck and picnic shelters; a boat ramp and canoe/kayak launch; playground and Saluda Splash (open during warmer months). It also has tennis courts and a soccer complex. The park houses the administrative offices of the Irmo Chapin Recreation Commission.

Greater Irmo Chamber of Commerce Directory and Relocation Guide 8

Saluda Shoals Park: A premier natural, environmentally sensitive riverfront park that invites visitors to experience the treasures of the Saluda River through exceptional educational, recreational and cultural opportunities.

Located along the banks of the beautiful Sa

Community Park: Irmo opened its new Community Park in late 2013. The park, home to the Okra Strut, is a great place for families to enjoy the outdoors. It features an amphitheater, two playgrounds and a nature trail on 14 acres. Located on Eastview Road, it is the town’s second park.