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Spring festivals From culture to art, fishing, irises and more, fill your calendar this spring with fun events and things to do across the region.
Spring Home and Garden Tips, tricks and trends that will help you make your home, inside and out, ready for the season
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Bed and Breakfast Doyle’s Bed and Breakfast revives the classic tradition of warm, personalized hospitality by offering guests not just a place to stay, but a true sense of home and community.
& What to do Where to go
SUMTER COUNTY
16th Annual Sheep Shearing Event
Want to see how a real farm works? Don't miss the 16th Annual Sheep Shearing Event from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 18, at Old McCaskill's Farm, 377 Cantey Lane, Rembert. Highlights of the day are: wool from sheep to shawl; shearing the sheep; Border Collie demonstrations; concessions; tractor simulator; horseback rides; bluegrass music; knitters, spinners and weavers; hayrides; goats milk; soap making; face painting and more. Tickets are available at https://tinyurl.com/ bd92nzru.
African Children's Choir "Just As I Am" Tour
Promoted as "a celebration of resilience and hope," the African Children's Choir "Just As I Am" Tour will visit Westminster Presbyterian Church, 230 Alice Drive, at 7 p.m. Friday, April 24. The choir, composed of talented youth aged 8-12 from vulnerable backgrounds, proves the potential of African youth to overcome adversity. To purchase tickets, visit africanchildrenschoir.com/tour-dates.
Patriot's Wounded Warrior 5K
Registration is open for the Patriot's Wounded Warrior 5K. Money generated from sign-ups for the philanthropic, family friendly Patriots' Wounded Warrior 5K will go toward a donation to Hidden Wounds, Wounded Warrior Project and the Air and Space Forces Association's Wounded Airmen and Guardians Program. There will also be festivities like music and spectator games when the race starts, including Bubble Battle for kids and a Courageous Cornhole competition. The first 300 total participants who register will receive a T-shirt, Wounded Warrior bracelets, Fleet Feet of Augusta goody bag and more. Organizers are Cheryl Moye, who can be reached at cheryl.r.moye@outlook.com, and YMCA of Sumter, which can be reached at (803) 773-1404. The race is on Saturday, April 25, with check-in at 8 a.m. at Patriot Park, 380 General Drive, Sumter. Register online at https://tinyurl.com/ AFA5K2026, at Sumter YMCA or on race day at the park.
Fifth-Annual Willie Sue's Charity Car And Motorcycle Show
Carolina Cruisin' Dj's with Dj Bobby Schwabenbauer, emcee Vic Nielsen and Steve Price will be back for the fourth year at the fifth-annual Willie Sue's Charity Car & Motorcycle Show on May 3, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., 3355 Patriot Pkwy. The event raises money to help Turbeville Children's Home. For more information and entry fees, contact Wayne Oxendine. Rain date set for May 17. https://tinyurl.com/ytjdd9hb
South Atlantic Conference
Don't miss the chance to see the top NCAA Division II collegiate athletes from the South Atlantic Conference return to Sumter Thursday-Saturday, April 16-18, at Palmetto Tennis Center, 400 Theatre Drive. Teams will compete for conference titles with singles and doubles play throughout the tournament. Visit www. sumtersc.gov/palmetto-tennis-center/tournament-schedule.
Nicholas Edward Williams - Acoustic Cafe Series
Sumter Opera House will present multi-instrumentalist and storyteller Nicholas Edward Williams to its Acoustic Cafe Series on Friday, April 17, at City Centre, 21 N. Main St. Social hour begins at 6:30 p.m. followed by the performance at 7:30 p.m. Host of the acclaimed roots history podcast American Songcatcher, Williams is "dedicated to 'playing it forward' by preserving the songs and styles that shaped America: ragtime, Piedmont blues, traditional folk, old time, and early country." He has toured the U.S., U.K., Europe and Australia and shared stages with Taj Mahal, The Wood Brothers, Dom Flemons and more. Seating is general admission and tickets are $35 ($30 + $5 Box Office Fee). Call the box office at (803) 436-2616 or purchase tickets at www.sumteroperahouse.com/nicholas-edward-williams.
Zerbini Family Circus
Looking for fun for the entire family? Check out the Zerbini Family Circus from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, April 19, or from 6 to 10 p.m. Monday, April 20, at Sumter Speedway, 3150 Wedgefield Road. Purchase tickets at eventticketscenter.com.
Conference Carolinas Championship
Looking to see high-level college tennis?
Check out the Conference Carolinas Championship Friday-Monday, April 24-27, at Palmetto Tennis Center, 400 Theatre Drive. The event brings together collegiate teams from across the Southeast for four days of competition. Visit www.sumtersc.gov/palmetto-tennis-center/tournament-schedule.
2026 Chamber Cup Golf Tournament
Grab your golf clubs for the 2026 Chamber Cup Golf Tournament presented by SAFE Federal Credit Union from noon to 5 p.m. Friday, April 24, at Beech Creek Golf Club, 1800 Sam Gillespie Blvd. "The Chamber Cup is the Greater Sumter Chamber of Commerce’s signature golf tournament — bringing together business leaders, professionals, and partners to celebrate relationships, collaboration and community growth." Visit https://tinyurl. com/38e9d4bd.
Sumter Iris Festival
See the beauty of Swan Lake Iris Gardens at the perfect time of year — when the irises are in bloom. Attend the Sumter Iris Festival Thursday-Sunday, May 14-17, at the gardens at 822 W. Liberty St. Touted as one of South Carolina's longest-running festivals and one of the Southeast's top-rated events, the threeday celebration features live concerts, arts and crafts, plants and flowers, a showcase of antique and classic cars, contests and plenty of activities just for kids. The festivities begin with the "Crowning of the King and Queen" ceremony, followed by the "Taste at the Gardens" featuring live music and tasty dishes from the area's finest restaurants, chefs and caterers.
Black Cowboy Festival and Rodeo
Celebrate the legacy and contributions of the African American cowboys and frontiersmen at the Black Cowboy Festival and Rodeo Thursday-Sunday, May 21-24, at Greenfield Farm, 4585 Spencer Road, Rembert. Enjoy agricultural workshops, a fish fry and Western dinner, trail rides, horse shows, line dance, live entertainment, vendor booths and of course a rodeo.
CAMDEN
Pirate Fest Weekend
Thursday-Saturday, Sept. 17-Sept. 19, at 222 Broad St., Camden. Hosted by the Historic Camden Foundation, the weekend will begin with a Pirate Lantern Tour. Keep up with the pirate shenanigans by visiting www.facebook. com/events.
CLARENDON COUNTY
Clarendon County Master Gardeners
Keep these dates on your calendar so you're not too late and end up empty-handed. The Clarendon County Master Gardeners will hold their annual Flower Sale on Friday, April 17, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and on Saturday, April 18, from 9 a.m. to noon. Proceeds will go toward scholarships and county service projects. Contact Kenneth Phelps at (803) 825-2008. The sales will be held at Land Parker Welch Law office courtyard, 29 S. Mill St., Manning.
Striped Bass Festival
It's not spring without the Striped Bass Festival, and this year it’ll be held Friday-Saturday, April 24-25, near Courthouse Square in Manning. It will include the Santee Cooper Open Team Tournament, a Pickleball Tournament, music, children’s area, parade, vendor market and much more. The parade starts at 10 a.m. Admission to this annual event is free. To learn more, visit https://clarendoncounty. com/sbf.
Fishing Tournaments
If you know Clarendon County, you know it's known for fishing. The following tournaments are planned at John C. Land III Landing, 4404 Greenall Road, Summerton:
- Saturday-Sunday, April 11-12 - Bassmaster Jr. High, High School and Collegiate Tournament
- Saturday, April 18 - Santee Cooper Open Team Tournament, Clarendon County Chamber of Commerce
- Saturday, April 25 - Bassmaster Jr. High, High School and Collegiate Tournament
- Saturday, May 2 - Carolinas Bass Challenge
- Thursday-Sunday, May 14-17 - Bassmaster Elite Series
- Saturday-Sunday, May 30-31 - Queen City Kayak and Bassmaster Kayak Series
- Saturday, June 6 - Fishers of Men
- Friday-Sunday, June 26-28, Dual Threat Fishing
To plan your next fishing tournament, contact tourism@clarendoncounty.com or call (803) 435- 4405.
FLORENCE
Monster Jam
Tickets are on sale now for Monster Jam at Florence Center, 3300 W. Radio Drive, Florence, on April 11-12, 2026. This unscripted, heart-pumping event features 12,000-pound trucks standing on two wheels, flying through the air, performing gravity-defying stunts and more. The world's best drivers will battle for the Arena Championship Series East title in three competitions: Racing, 2 Wheel Skills and Freestyle. The day of fun starts at the Monster Jam Pit Party on Saturday and Sunday featuring selfies with the trucks, high-fives and autographs from drivers and family-friendly activities. And there's no better way to get ready for the action than Monster Jam Trackside, happening about an hour before the event. It's packed with driver interviews, pit crew sneak peeks and epic giveaways that'll get everyone pumped up before the action begins. You'll be on the edge of your seat watching the world's most popular trucks like Krysten Anderson in the legendary Grave Digger; El Toro Loco, celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2026, driven by MJ Solorio; and the 6-ton unicorn with a bold attitude, Sparkle Smash driven by Loghan Ashline; and more tear up the dirt. Show times are:
Saturday, April 11 — Event time, noon and 6 p.m.; Pit Party open from 9:30 a.m. to 11 a.m. (Event Ticket and Pit Party Pass required for entry)
Sunday, April 12 — Event time, 3 p.m.; Pit Party open from 12:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. (Event Ticket and Pit Party Pass required for entry) Visit MonsterJam.com for more information.
Travis Tritt
Country icon Travis Tritt, a multi-Grammy award-winning singer, will perform at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 24, at Florence Center. Tickets can be purchased at ticketmaster. com. "Country Club," "Help Me Hold On," "I'm Gonna Be Somebody" and "Drift Off to Dream" helped Tritt to win New Male Artist award from Billboard and the CMA Horizon Award (now known as the Best New Artist Award). In 1991, Tritt's debut album Country Club was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. His more than 35-year career includes performances at the 1996 Olympics, two Super Bowls, a World Series Game, the opening of the Georgia Dome, the final Braves game at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium and at the NCAA men's basketball championship in 2013. For more information on Tritt, visit TravisTritt.com and follow him on Facebook and X.
LAKE CITY
ArtFields
ArtFields, an extremely popular Southern art festival competition and celebration in Lake City, will be held April 10-May 2. Attendees at the 10-day event will experience a variety of
art events, including an art competition, workshops, lectures, talks, public art and more. Guests can also enjoy live music, dancing and tasty Southern foods. For more information, visit artfieldssc.org or call (843) 374-0180.
COLUMBIA
Columbia International Festival
Experience the music, culture, food and performing arts of nearly 60 countries at the Columbia International Festival on Saturday-Sunday, April 18-19, at 1200 Rosewood Drive, Columbia. Sample exotic flavors, watch staged performances, see traditionally dressed representatives from other countries and shop booths of authentic clothing, crafts, jewelry and souvenirs from across the world all while learning about other cultures. To learn more, visit cifonline.org or call (803) 799-3452.
Columbia Food and Wine Festival
Enjoy the finest plates and pours Columbia has to offer at the Columbia Food and Wine Festival Wednesday-Sunday, April 22-26. This award-winning festival has earned recognition as a must-attend event for foodies across the Southeast. Since its beginning, the festival has welcomed more than 15,600 guests and featured more than 375 culinary partners. To learn more, visit colafoodandwine.com.
Sharpvue Irmo International Festival
See, hear and taste the flavors, sounds and stories of cultures from across the world at the Sharpvue Irmo International Festival on Sunday, April 26, at Moore Park in Irmo. According to its website, "The SIIF is a non-profit event dedicated to celebrating the cultures, traditions and people that make our community vibrant." The festival will include international foods, live music, dancers, vendors and booths, art exhibits, a helicopter display, car show and a free kid zone. To learn more, visit www.irmoscinternationalfestival.com.
ORANGEBURG
2026 Orangeburg Festival of Roses
Don't forget to smell the roses at the free 2026 Orangeburg Festival of Roses. This year's event features vendors from across the Southeast, award-winning food trucks and family-friendly events of all kinds — from musical performances to bingo — from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 2, and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday, May 3, at Edisto Memorial Gardens, 200 Riverside Drive South West.
Local Festivals Local Festivals
THE 2026 RUNDOWn
Festival Avenue on the
Festival on the Avenue is back, celebrating cultural identity and traditions of South Sumter
Manning Avenue has long been a place where history is alive, well and respected.
For generations, the corridor has been shaped by trailblazers of all types, from artists and artisans to community leaders and entrepreneur extraordinaires. It’s a place where recipes are passed down like generational heirlooms. Where music and storytelling carry memories in vivid descriptions and toe-tapping tunes. Where traditions connect one generation to the next.
That legacy will be front, center and
celebrated in all its glory as the annual Festival on the Avenue returns to town on April 9-11.
The celebration draws inspiration from the Bimbe Celebration, a West African Festival of Harvest, where entire villages gather to give thanks through dance, praise and feasting. Besides being a joyous gathering, the spirit of generosity is at the heart of the festival, bringing families and tribes together to share their best harvests with the whole community. Festival on the Avenue carries that
same spirit into South Sumter to celebrate its African American culture and traditions through family, food and the arts. Spanning three days, the event will bring visitors into the historic heart of Sumter’s African American business district, growing to include a number of houses of worship, restaurants, grocery stores, barber and beauty shops, offices, a movie theater and more.
Attendees get to experience traditional soul food, visual arts, crafts, dance, music and the literary arts, all meant to showcase the creativity and vitality that define the community.
Beyond entertainment and the chance to reconnect with friends and family, the festival also offers a meaningful opportunity to share traditions and culture with the broader Sumter and surrounding areas and recognize people and organizations whose positive influence contributed to South Sumter’s development and unique cultural identity.
THE RUNDOWn
Thursday, April 9
HeritageNight:RememberingthePast Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church, 609 Manning Ave. 7 p.m.
Friday, April 10
13th-annualGolfTournament
Format: 4-Man Captain’s Choice
Crystal Lake Golf Course, 1305 Clara Louise Kellogg Drive
Tee time: 7:30 a.m. I Shotgun: 8 a.m.
TasteofSoul
South Sumter Farmer’s Market, 337 Manning Ave. 6-9 p.m.
Featured entertainment: Soulful Therapy Band
Saturday, April 11
FestivalontheAvenueParade - starts at the corner of Divine and Harvin streets 10 a.m.
Food,musicandfamilyfunalongManningAvenue 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Featured entertainment: Live in the Flesh Band For more information, visit festivalontheave.org.
ArtFields Experience expanding this year to 17 days
A small South Carolina town has spent the last decade turning itself into one of the South’s most vibrant art destinations.
And this spring, you can take a walk on the colorful side as ArtFields takes over downtown Lake City from April 10 to May 2.
Often described as the South’s “most engaging art competition and festival,” ArtFields began in 2013 with a goal of honoring the artists living and working in the Southeast with a week’s worth of celebration. Up to 400 works of art will be on display in the locally owned venues that range from renovated 1920s warehouses and professional art spaces to restaurants, boutiques and other shops. This allows visitors to encounter a sculpture while grabbing a coffee or chat about an abstract artwork during a haircut.
Eligibility for artwork submissions, for both adults and juniors, extends to artists living in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia and West Virginia.
Since its beginning, the event has grown into one of the region’s most anticipated art festivals, drawing crowds of visitors from across the Southeast and awarding more than $1 million to Southeastern emerging and established creatives alike.
In 2026, ArtFields will reach a new milestone, as it expands from its traditional nine-day format to a 17-day celebration. The expansion marks the largest evolution in the festival’s history and is a reflection of its growing popularity among artists and visitors.
“The expansion isn’t just about adding days — it’s about deepening the experience,” ArtFields said in a release. “With more time comes more room for programming, artist talks, live performances, and community-driven projects that make the festival feel alive in every corner of the city.”
Competition artwork will be available for viewing Tuesday through Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Venues will be closed on Sundays and Mondays.
For more information or to plan your visit, visit www.artfieldssc.org.
Puddin' Swamp Festival
The Sumter Item has been covering the Puddin' Swamp Festival in Turbeville since it began in 2008. Eight years later, it’s going strong and set to take place April 17–19, with more details to come from organizers as of this issue’s publication.
That first year saw a surprising turnout estimated to be more than 6,000 people over three days, and the Taste of Puddin’ Swamp attendees were serenaded by the Puddin’ Swamp Singers. The event was formed to unite the community, enable local artisans to display and sell their works, show the county, state and region Turbeville’s positive charm and just provide a weekend of fun and fellowship for locals, especially amid financial hardship and life’s stressors.
A little bit of everything and a whole lot of heart has been the standard since. The Swamp Bottom “Beauty” Pageant for charity has been a favorite.
Last year’s event featured carnival rides like a Ferris wheel – along with some wilder ones that might make the world spin a considerable while after you dismount – a car show with prizes, fireworks, caricature drawings, an inaugural Olympics with events like a pie-eating contest and sunflower seed spitting, craft vendors, live bands, gospel singing and a whole lot more. Children had work displayed in an art show, and youth dance groups took over the stage. There was also a rather significant alien presence that friendly Turbeville residents accommodated.
Organizers shared via Facebook on Feb. 23 this year that all festival food vendor spots have officially been filled – only about a week after applications were announced there.
“Thank you so much for your patience and for your interest in being part of our festival,” they shared. “We truly appreciate the overwhelming response and support!”
“Turbeville, it’s parade time!” organizers shared via Facebook on March 5. “Gather your friends, decorate your ride, and come be part of the Puddin’ Swamp Festival Parade. We’d love to see our churches, businesses, schools, and families represented.”
Sign up for the parade at https://tinyurl.com/ puddinswampparade.
Keep an eye out for official updates on the event schedule, attendance guidelines (Last year no concealed or open carry of firearms was allowed), shoutouts to the variety of local sponsors who help keep it all running and more at their official Facebook page, https:// www.facebook.com/psfestival/# , or email turbevillepuddinswampfestival@gmail.com . Don’t get taken in by pretenders, though – the festival’s official organizers have shared on social media that impersonators are sending emails for vendors to apply.
Striped Bass Festival
Striped Bass is a celebration of spring. It’s a tribute to the beauty of the county and the region, and it’s a salute to the fish that fills Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie, which make up Santee Cooper Lakes and put the region on the fishing map of the world.
April in Clarendon County is a sight for winter-weary eyes. Festivalgoers will be surrounded by azaleas, wisteria, irises, tulips, geraniums, roses, magnolias and more colors and blooms amid a landscape with strokes of rural countryside, small-town architecture and lake views.
The event is an economic driver for Manning and Clarendon County, and the Clarendon County Chamber of Commerce has a lineup with something for everyone, from food and activities to exercise and
LEARN MORE
community taking over Manning April 24-25 with separate, related events in the weeks leading up to Super Weekend. Around 20,000 people typically attend the event over the weekend.
Entrance to the festival, in its 45th year, such as attending the parade, listening to the live entertainment, checking out the vendors and watching the weigh-in for the fishing tournament, is free. Other aspects, such as buying from the around 100 vendors, food options and participating in the fishing tournament, have fees.
Festival T-shirts will be available for purchase at the event. They are also usually for sale ahead of time at Clarendon County Chamber of Commerce.
For more information, contact Clarendon County Chamber of Commerce, go to their Facebook page @ClarendonSCChamber, or visit www. ClarendonCounty.com/SBF.
food & fun
April 24-25
THE RUNDOWN
SATURDAY, APRIL 18
S.C.O.T.T. – Cast into the Santee Cooper Open Team Tournament, “where the big ones are waiting!” Grab your gear, reel in some memories, and let’s see who has the best catch. | John C. Land III Sports Fishing Facility, Summerton | Entry fee $160; optional $10 Big Fish | Guaranteed $5,000 prize | Pick up your application at the Chamber office
SATURDAY, APRIL 18
Dam Run 5K – Lace up for the Striped Bass Festival 5K on the Santee Cooper Dam. Run against the beautiful backdrop of the dam, enjoy the fresh air, and embrace the festival spirit. | 1022 Randolph’s Landing Way | $30 per runner | www.strictlyrunning. com
FRIDAY, APRIL 25
Opening ceremonies – Join the community as Manning kicks off Super Weekend | 6 p.m. | Live music | Carnival rides | Food from vendors
SATURDAY, APRIL 26
Parade – “March to the rhythm of the community joy” at the Striped Bass Festival Parade | 10 a.m. | Bring the family and make lasting memories on the festival route. | Courthouse Square
Car show – “Rev up the fun” at the Striped Bass Festival Car Show, hosted by the Blinking Buzzards Car Club. This is a laidback day of wheels that you won’t want to miss. | Registration starts at 9 a.m. | Awards at 3 p.m. | 49 W. Boyce St.
Downtown vendors – Get ready to enjoy vendors throughout Super Weekend. Taste delicious bites, snag unique crafts, and soak in the good vibes.
The Striped Bass Festival Pageant and Pickleball Tournament will have already taken place, but follow the festival and The Sumter Item for coverage.
“It was our first BirdFest, but it won’t be our last. It was extremely well organized, and the music lineup was phenomenal!”
- Lynne Hughes King
music, vendors and outdoor entertainment for all
For those interested in bluegrass music and looking for a down-home festival this spring with activities for kids as well, look no further than BirdFest, scheduled for early May in Clarendon County.
The annual event is described by organizers as “the ultimate bluegrass music festival,” family oriented and will take place outdoors on May 1-2 at the S.C. Waterfowl Association’s Wildlife Education Center in the small town of Pinewood, according to association Marketing Director Chandler James.
It will be the 22nd-annual BirdFest, and host band Steep Canyon Rangers again leads the lineup. A Grammy Awardwinning group for its bluegrass/ Americana music, the Rangers perform nationwide and have become widely known for collaborating with actor/
comedian (and banjoist) Steve Martin and performing at his standup tour shows.
Originally formed in 2000, Steep Canyon Rangers is based in Asheville, North Carolina, and has a large fan base, James said.
“They are well known for their association with Steve Martin,” she said, “but they have quite a loyal following, and every year those loyal followers come to BirdFest. So that helps make it a great community atmosphere at the event.”
Other headliners this year include the Dan Tyminski Band and the Trey Hensley Band, both of which are also Grammy Award winners in bluegrass. Fans of bluegrass come from across the Southeast to BirdFest annually, according to James.
Most attendees camp on site
at the outdoor venue in RVs or tents for convenience, she added.
The S.C. Waterfowl Association, which is the event organizer, also recommends local cabins and hotels nearby in the Santee area for people traveling to the two-day festival.
Gates will open on Friday, May 1, at 10 a.m. and 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 2, and the bluegrass starts at 5 p.m. on Friday and 12:45 p.m. Saturday.
A “Vendor Village” with food and craft vendors is also fun for attendees, James said.
Children 12 and under are admitted for free, and a Kid Zone area
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
has activities specifically for kids on the grounds. Those include a Sky Park and zip line, which are part of the association’s youth summer camp activities, she added.
This will be the fourth year that the association has hosted BirdFest. Last year, attendance grew to about 900 attendees with country and bluegrass legend Ricky Skaggs performing, according to James.
“This year, we are hoping for another great turnout,” she added.
Even though BirdFest is coordinated by the waterfowl association, the festival name does not come from any type of bird.
The father of Steep Canyon Rangers member Barrett Smith started the festival in the early 2000s, and “Bird” was the name of a beloved mule that was part of the family.
When she passed away, the Smith family had her head mounted to forever honor her memory, and the festival was named “BirdFest,” James said.
“’Bird’” makes an appearance at every BirdFest festival as a loved tribute,” she said. “People know her. She is always the centerpiece of our poster art. She will be brought out and put right by the stage.”
Even though the festival is not tied directly into waterfowl, the S.C. Waterfowl Association – a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization - does connect all its events to its mission of conservation education, according to James.
In the Kid Zone, the waterfowl aviary will be open, and staff will teach the youth conservation principles in some of the activities.
POPULARITY AND TICKETS
BirdFest has a welcoming atmosphere that contributes to its popularity, according to festival survey reviews, James said.
“It feels very local, even though we have people from everywhere,” she said. “It’s very family and community oriented. People are extremely friendly and welcoming to all who attend BirdFest. That’s the biggest compliment we receive.
“Also, people love that we have entertainment for children in the Kid Zone, specifically. That sets us apart from other festivals, and it helps parents enjoy the weekend a little bit more when there is something for their kids to do.
“The festival appeals to people with an interest in bluegrass or to those who want a family weekend outside enjoying some live music and beautiful scenery.”
The waterfowl association encourages attendees to buy tickets online beforehand at birdfestmusic.com as tickets can sell out, but they can also be purchased at the entry gates while supplies last.
The most popular package is the weekend pass that is good for both Friday and Saturday, James added. Day passes are also available for those driving in for the day.
The rundown
WHEN: Friday, May 1, and Saturday, May 2. Gates open at 10 a.m. Friday, 8 a.m. Saturday.
WHERE: S.C. Waterfowl Association Wildlife Education Center, 8444 Old River Road, Pinewood, SC 29125
TICKETS: Officials recommend buying tickets online at birdfestmusic.com beforehand, but attendees can also purchase when arrive at gate area. Various packages available to include both days and also single-day passes. RV and tent camping passes are add-ons. Children 12 and under have free admission. MORE INFO: See birdfestmusic.com and on Facebook search for birdfestmusicfestival.
RV and tent camping available for attendees.
WHAT THEY’RE SAYING …
C.J. Merkle
- Suzanne E. Franks
Source: Reviews from Birdfestmusic.com
Red White and Bloom!
2026 Iris Festival celebrates America’s 250
May at Swan Lake Iris Gardens in Sumter means the irises are blooming, and for three days, the Sumter community will convene for nonstop and diverse entertainment, shopping, food and special events at the annual Iris Festival, which began in 1940 and draws vendors and attendees from across the region, country and even world.
This year, the theme is Red, White and Bloom! because this special festival will coincide with the 250th anniversary of the American Revolutionary War and be held in conjunction with South Carolina 250 and America 250 celebrations. Sumter Museum is collaborating, and there will be live interpreters such as from Sumter Tribe of Cheraw Indians with hands-on activities. Attendees are encouraged to come in their
May 15-17, 2026
best – and most creative – patriotic gear.
The Iris Festival Commission Inc. is a 501(c) (3) organization that continues the state’s oldest continuous three-day festival, which is consistently ranked among the top festivals in the Southeast. Carter James, communications manager and tourism manager for City of Sumter, is assisting with the Iris Festival Commission and its marketing for
James said input from vendors and school districts led to the date change last year to the weekend before Memorial Day weekend, which was ultimately a huge success. The 2025 Iris Festival saw more than 55,000 attendees and more than 100 vendors and was named a 2025 Top 20 Signature Event by Southeast Tourism Society.
“The weekend of the Iris festival is just a celebration of the flower itself and an opportunity for the community and the Southeast as a whole just to come together to celebrate not only irises, not only Swan Lake, but Sumter,” James said. “We are always, every year, looking to maintain the integrity of the festival and looking to maintain what makes it so unique – which, of course, are the irises.”
Sumter Master Gardeners will be set up with potted live Japanese Irises, which James said can only be purchased from the gardens this time of the
There will be a lot more to enjoy as well. Thursday night kicks off events with the Taste at the Gardens, followed by live music. That night will have unique restaurant vendors that won’t be there the rest of
“We have live music the entire weekend –different bands, different performers lined up,” James said. “It's a real eclectic and unique mix for
Live sketches, local T-shirt makers and artists and craft vendors are included in the shopping options.
Friday is Education Day
“We're inviting schools out to come learn a little bit about not only Swan Lake, but just the environment,” James said, “which is always really popular and really fun.”
The parade hosted by Evening Optimist Club of Sumter will go down Liberty Street in front of Swan Lake again. There will be the King and Queen Scholarship, beauty pageant, Famous Faces event and abundant kid-friendly activities.
We have live music the entire weekend - different bands, different performers lined up.” - Carter James
Keep up with more details and the full lineup on the website and social media pages. Last year it ultimately included boat rides on Swan Lake, butterfly releases, health screenings by Tandem Health and Prisma Health, a children’s carnival, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources archery, pet adoptions, shag dance and line dancing tutorials, stilt walkers and the Annual Spring Blast Classic Rides Show by the Head Turnerz Car Club.
Become a vendor: https://tinyurl.com/ywjpe2f9
History of the Iris Festival: https://tinyurl.com/4thdaeu3
THE RUNDOwn
WHEN: May 15-17, 2026
WHERE: Swan Lake Iris Gardens in Sumter, South Carolina
• A 150-acre gift to the community from the Bland and Heath families with a Certified Level II Arboretum that features more than 100 varieties of iris that bloom in late spring among many other plants and animals, including all eight species of swan in the world. The playground under construction will only slightly alter operations.
PARKING: Sumter County Civic Center will again be a parking lot for the festival, with buses transporting people from the civic center into the park for the festival. High attendance for the free event makes demand for parking high, so visitors should plan extra time to navigate that.
Get involved, learn more and stay up to date: https://www.facebook.com/IrisFestival www.sumtersc.gov/tourism/things-do/festivals-events/iris-festival
Local
Local
Local
H a r v i n H a r v i n
S a r d i n i a S a r d i n i a
G a b l e G a b l e
Car olina
S i l v e r S i l v e r
W i l s o n W i l s o n ee
t P a u l S t P a u l
Santee Lakes
W e l l s W e l l s
E u t a w v i l l e E u t a w v i l l e
F o u r F o u r H o l e s H o l e s
S a n d r i d g e S a n d r i d g e
J o r d a n J o r d a n
F o r e s t o n F o r e s t o n
W o r k m a n W o r k m a n
W h i t e s v i l l e W h i t e s v i l l e
G r e e l e y v i l l e G
H e i n e m a n H e i n e m a n
B o n n e a u B o n n e a u
Black Cowboy festival Black Cowboy
For nearly three decades, the sound of hooves against Carolina clay and the spirit of the cowboy heritage have converged for one special occasion in Sumter’s countryside: Black Cowboy Festival.
The celebration has grown into a “cultural cornerstone” that honors the rich legacy and lasting contributions of African-American cowboys and frontiersmen through dancing, riding, learning and connecting with the community. Since the late 1990s, it has highlighted the vital role African Americans played in shaping Western heritage, both historically and today. From riders and trail clubs to families and visitors from around the world, the festival creates a space for elders to share stories, youth to explore the heritage and guests to learn about the history of the American West.
The festival is the vision of Mark and Sandra Myers. Native to South Carolina and descendants of African American farmers and sharecroppers, they bought acreage, formerly sharecropped by Sandra’s family, which would become Greenfield Farm.
From a young age, Mark cherished his strong family ties and cowboy values. He began to research the history of African American cowboys who roamed the land of the Wild West to Texas, those who were descendants of slaves and sought a better life for themselves.
The farmland, nestled in Rembert, is the grazing ground for several horses and cattle, making enough work for the Myerses, from growing hay to offering horse riding lessons. The pair is committed to outreach activities, from helping with projects in 4-H Club and agriculture to providing day retreats for children, adults and those with disabilities.
The farm is also available for family reunions and special occasions.
To further the African-American heritage through culture, community, agriculture and education, the couple founded the Black Cultural Enlightenment Society. This nonprofit seeks to improve the quality of community relations by uniting people from diverse backgrounds, develop an equine education and riding facility, promote agricultural interest and self-reliance and increase visitation through tourism, recreation, entertainment, education and the arts.
The nonprofit also sponsors the Black Cowboy Festival.
The 29th-annual Black Cowboy Festival will be held at Greenfield Farm, 4585 Spencer Road in Rembert.
For more information and to buy tickets, visit www. blackcowboyfestival.net/index.html, call (803) 499-9658 or email bcesociety@aol.com.
festival Schedule
The rundown
Thursday, May 21
Education Day – 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Activities include: Agriculture and heritage exhibits, horsemanship presentation, documentaries on the African American cowboy, Buffalo Soldier presentation, vendor marketplace and business networking panel and mixer
Free admission, $5 parking fee
All daytime events are free.
Fish fry – 6 p.m.
Tickets are required for the fish fry.
Friday, May 22
10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Free admission – $5 parking fee
Cowboy Trail Ride
Documentaries on the African American Cowboy
Line Dance Class
Business Networking Mixer
Western Dinner/Dance – 7:30 p.m.
Tickets are required for the Western Dinner.
Saturday, May 23
Gospel Show
Main events and horse competitions:
Buffalo Soldiers and presentation of the flags
Gaited Horse Show and competition
Historical presentation
Rodeo events
The Delta Blues
Jazz Show
Black son of the West by Cowboy Mark Myers
Line Dance – Boots on the Ground
Saturday night
After Bash – Southern Soul Jam Night – 8:30 p.m. to midnight
Sunday, May 24
Church services
Brunch
The Lizard Man Stomp
Annual June festival
‘keeps the legend alive’ Annual June festival ‘keeps the legend alive’
LeeCounty made national headlines with the sighting of the Lizard Man on June 29, 1988, in Bishopville’s Scape Ore Swamp, and this year will be the fifth for the festival commemorating the landmark event.
The Lizard Man Stomp has become Bishopville and Lee County’s annual festival in recent years to draw out-of-towners into the community.
“The Stomp” -- as many simply call the event -- is centered on the county’s famous giant, redeyed reptile that walks upright like a man, and event organizer Margaret Copeland provided a preview of the festival to be held on June 27.
As folklore goes, the Lizard Man was first spotted on that fateful night in June 1988 in the Browntown community.
That summer, local, state and national media descended upon Bishopville to hear residents’ stories of sightings of the 8-foot swamp monster that soon came to be known as the Lizard Man.
Then-Lee County Sheriff Liston Truesdale launched a full-
scale investigation to locate the creature from the area swamp but with no luck.
Since then, there have been sightings throughout the county of big footprints and scraped-up car hoods, among other damage to vehicles. However, the monster has never been reported to hurt a person, according to the legend.
Since 2022, the county has hosted The Stomp in downtown Bishopville, and the free festival this year will again include arts and crafts, kids’ games, face painting, a local car show, vendors and food trucks, Copeland said.
She added live music this year will include DJ Tiz Laney, among others.
Always occurring on the last Saturday in June, festival hours are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., and the family-friendly event will begin with a parade down Main Street.
According to Copeland, the Lizard Man will appear again for pictures with festivalgoers.
She said the Lizard Man is Lee County’s version of Big Foot and festival themes are “keeping the legend alive” and helping to
support downtown businesses. Retailers along Main Street include an arts and crafts business, variety store, a few clothing stores, a sporting goods store, a bakery and an ice cream shop, among others, Copeland said.
Like in recent years, locally owned Smith Concrete Products will again sell Lizard Man statues, ranging from 3 to 5 feet tall. She added that the business also has a smaller version that can sit on a desk.
Additionally, The Stomp will feature numerous varieties of Lizard Man T-shirts for sale, Copeland said.
In 1988 when news broke on the Lizard Man, thousands of commemorative T-shirts were sold, she added.
“I have no idea how many T-shirts were sold back then, but it was thousands of them because they shipped them everywhere,”
Copeland said. “I talked to a guy when the Lizard Man was first sighted, and he sold over a thousand himself right here in Bishopville.”
THE RUNDOWn
When: Saturday, June 27
Where: Downtown Bishopville
S pring HOME AND GARDEN 2026
TIPS FOR OUTDOOR GRILL CLEANING
THINGS TO CONSIDER TO BOOST YOUR HOME'S CURB APPEAL
Refresh the front door
Cost-effective curb appeal boosters
One shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. However, that often is hard to do, particularly when it comes to homes. Curb appeal bears significant influence regarding how a property is perceived. A property that is neat and aesthetically appealing probably will be preferable to one that looks like the homeowners did not maintain it.
Boosting curb appeal is a common focus of sellers before listing a property. But what can those who don’t have big budgets for major overhauls do to improve their curb appeal? Plenty of projects can offer maximum output with minimal investment.
Painting the front door can add brightness and improve the look of a home’s entryway. Most exterior paint costs between $30 and $40 per gallon, so this is undeniably a budget-friendly improvement. If money allows, replacing the door altogether will generate bang for your buck.
Improve or add landscaping elements
Landscaping should be designed to highlight the home’s best features. It should look symmetrical and feel manicured. If it’s not possible to plant new flowers or bushes, simply cleaning up debris and weeds, and trimming existing greenery can make it feel neater and more polished.
Clean up
Power-washing the siding, cement walkways and garage door can create instant impact. It’s amazing how much dirt and mildew can reduce the luster of a home. Cleaning off years of grime can be a fast and inexpensive refresh.
Reseal the driveway
Make sure the driveway is clean and tidy. If it has cracks or discoloration, filling in cracks and applying a new coat of sealer will make a big difference. Homeowners can hire someone to reseal the driveway or do the work on their own.
Add more lighting
Updating front porch lights and accent lights around the property will cast a more positive glow on a home, both literally and figuratively.
Add a seating area
If space by the front door allows, add a bench or some chairs to create a welcoming seating area. A potted plant or two nearby will help the area seem intentional.
Improving curb appeal doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. A few easy touches can boost the look of any property.
A few steps to help boost your home's curb appeal
A home away from home: Inside Doyle’s Bed and Breakfast at Wyboo
By Alaysha Maple
Home isn’t always a place you can point to on a map. Rather, it can be a feeling that finds you in the quiet ease of settling in, lingering in the low murmur of conversation, wafting in the smell of good cooking and nestled in the gentle realization that you belong here, even if you’ve only just arrived.
Doyle’s Bed and Breakfast, tucked along the edge of Wyboo and steps away from The Players Course, is that kind of place.
A tradition of staying awhile
The idea of opening one's home to a traveling guest dates back to the beginning of man. It’s a tradition that spans cultures where welcoming a stranger was seen as both a moral duty and a survival mechanism.
With the turn of many centuries, this concept remained steadfast and took on the name “bed and breakfast.” It was normal for country travelers to spend the night at a private house rather than an inn, particularly in Europe for many years. The abbreviation “B&B” originated from painted roadside signs along the British Isles.
North America’s take on this age-old concept became popular during the Great Depression, when the term “boarding house” was commonly used. Many people opened their homes to travelers to bring in additional money for their families. After the Depression, this type of lodging declined, the connotation being it was only for low-income travelers or drifters.
Once motels and hotels began to line highways and interstates, bed and breakfasts were soon forgotten.
But nostalgia is one of the biggest factors in why old trends start to resurface in modern times. People long for the good old days of slower mornings, shared spaces and personalized hospitality.
An increase in bed and breakfasts across America has travelers seeing it as an attractive alternative to the standard chain hotel or motel room. Today, these cozy cornerstones of lodging offer amenities not unlike those found at most upscale hotels in the world.
Except one: a genuine sense of belonging.
Built with purpose
For Lee and Dorothy Doyle, opening a bed and breakfast wasn’t always part of the plan.
In 2016, while the couple were still residing in Florida, Lee purchased the land and buildings nestled on The Players Course at Wyboo, a golf course that had grown quiet and neglected through the years. The golf course faced several pressures, from COVID-19’s unpredictable impact to hundreds of trees that blocked horticulture and economic growth and the need for expensive improvements to welcome diverse travelers.
But even through its tall grass and winding weeds, it still had potential. With the help of more than 30 community investors and shareholders, whom Dorothy described as some of the course's strongest volunteers and supporters, the course began its slow return to life.
But something was missing.
“We needed something to bring in more golfers. Not just golfers from North Carolina, Georgia and South Carolina, but people from all over, including Britain, Ireland, and some of Canada. People that might come back year after year and spend money in Clarendon County. That's important to us,” Dorothy expressed. “So, we built this.”
This being Doyle’s Bed and Breakfast.
Built in less than a year with the help of local builder Johnny
Alsbrook and designer John Leesan, the project came together in what Dorothy described as “a labor of love.” Opening at the end of July 2025, it is still in its first year of making a mark on the community, and it has the structure to do so.
From the way the light coats the wooden flooring and ample seating to the way the home unfolds naturally from room to room, that vision has shaped it to be a space that feels both intentional and effortless.
Southern comfort
If you ask Dorothy to describe the bed and breakfast, her answer may surprise you, and her reason will enlighten you.
“It’s not luxurious; it is comfortable,” she described. That distinction is important.
The journey to the house is as picturesque as the structure itself. Cruising on the road that wraps around the course, the distant hum of a golf cart rolling along the course, birds breaking the serene silence and the light stretching across the open greens makes everything feel just a little more at ease before the relaxation begins.
Stopping in its narrow driveway and stepping inside the two-story retreat feels like a warm, long-awaited welcome home in a space you’ve only just discovered.
Eyes are drawn to the plush walnut leather recliner sofa at the
center of the living room, a prime spot for conversation and laughter. They’ll bounce off the chiffon-toned walls into the peaks of its high ceilings. They’ll swirl around the long wooden table, with enough chairs to seat nine, enough versatility to serve as the breakfast hot spot, a conference table and the rallying point for game night. This is where people gather, where memories are plentiful and the good times don’t end, just change their tone and pitch.
And when it’s time to relax and unwind, there’s not a question of where it can be done.
Each of the 10 guest rooms has its own personality, shaped by the Doyles’ years of travel, the iconic golfers whose names are etched on the doors and an eye for meaningful detail. Artwork from Barbados hangs near pieces collected in Florida. A painting from Belize shares space with a thrifted chair that’s been cleaned and given new life. Even the furniture has a past— benches crafted out of old headboards, items found at estate sales, others from roadside finds and a few from friends whose stories live quietly along the walls. If the piece is not there, the Doyles seek to find it.
One guest arrived with a simple but specific need: He could only sleep sitting upright to breathe comfortably. After noticing a specific chair on the B&B website, he requested it and an ottoman for his room. Dorothy quickly made the adjustments, moving the sturdy chair into the reserved room and ordering an ottoman to make his stay easier. It’s a small detail, one that without context you’d think the furniture’s placement was out of convenience. But it’s a detail that reflects the kind of thoughtful care that shapes every experience at Doyle’s Bed and Breakfast.
And that’s another facet of the Doyle’s Bed and Breakfast experience: attentiveness. The kind that notices when a guest needs an extra blanket or remembers how a guest takes their coffee. The kind that offers chicken salad or a sandwich, a midnight snack just to send you off to bed full, in both the stomach and the heart. The kind that asks not just what you want for breakfast, but also what time you wake up so your morning starts off on the right foot with the right spread. Some mornings, breakfast is waffles and fruit. Other mornings, it’s eggs, bacon, biscuits and gravy. Every now and then, there’s a warm bowl of grits somewhere in the mix. Dinners differ, based on a guest’s schedule, preferences or where they are in the duration of their
stay. The varying menus allow each stay to feel personalized. From fishermen heading out before the sunrise, the brown-bag breakfast in hand, to a farewell dinner of shrimp and grits or pulled pork, it’s something slow-cooked, shared and part of the memory.
Beyond its walls, the B&B is part of something larger. It not only cares for the community, but also helps to create it.
It supports the growing Wyboo area, allowing potential residents to spend a few nights in the area as they shop for their future homes. To allow people a chance to adjust to the rhythm of life that is expanding around the course. That matters deeply to the Doyles because every guest who stays is someone who explores, eats, shops and experiences the community they’ve come to know and love and wants others to do the same.
A place for people to gather
While many guests arrive for golf or fishing, they often leave remembering something else entirely.
A conversation on the patio. A shared laugh over breakfast. A quiet moment with a coffee in hand as the morning light spills through the window downstairs. Dorothy has watched it happen again and again, and it’s still as special as if it were the first time.
“I find it wonderful,” Dorothy said, a warmth to her voice. “I want to try to make it like a place away from home.”
Still within their first year of hosting, the Doyles have welcomed guests from far and wide.
A fishing team from Erskine College arrived with their boats in tow and long days ahead, using the B&B as a place to reset.
A family from Atlanta gathered for a reunion, filling the house with conversation, laughter and the easy rhythm that comes when time is well spent.
A couple from South London stayed for weeks, bringing their own
rituals of tea and extra crispy toast but still explored the flavors of the South. Regardless of the guest, the goal is always the same: to make it feel like home.
Looking ahead, the couple's plans for the future are detailed, measured and thoughtful.
The Doyles hope to host small weddings with an intimate feel of 50 guests or fewer who can fit comfortably under and around the gazebo, nestled along the background of The Players Course. They hope to exercise the home’s versatility for small conferences or retreats, being a space where people can
come together without feeling crowded.
Doyle’s bed and breakfast isn’t defined by its rooms or even its location. What matters is its feeling. The feeling of being expected, not just accommodated. The feeling of being known by name even if you’ve just arrived. The feeling that your departure is only physical. That your memory is tucked somewhere between the couches and the dinner table.
That feeling that it’s not just a home away from home, but also a reminder of what home is meant to feel like.
BONANZA
Style guide: waterfall countertops
Did you know?
TA waterfall edge makes a 90-degree turn and continues down to the floor.
he waterfall edge style of countertops has evolved from a high-end niche trend into an increasingly popular staple of modern architectural design. Unlike traditional countertops that end at the edge of the cabinet, a waterfall edge makes a 90-degree turn and continues down to the floor, covering a kitchen peninsula or island. According to Angi, waterfall edge countertops are known for their seamless and continuous appearances that really are showstopping to see. They tend to make a bigger visual impact compared to traditional horizontal slabs. It’s important to note that not every stone fabricator is willing or able to execute the waterfall effect. Installation requires a precise mitered edge, which risks chipping the fine-cut corner. The added expense also is nothing to take lightly. Waterfall edges also can make cleaning more involved. There is no lip at the end of counters, so it’s hard to get a dustpan flush to catch crumbs off the surface. Also, the side panels of stone mean there’s extra surfaces to clean and seal. The uniqueness of waterfall edge countertops merits careful consideration prior to installation.
A HOW-TO GUIDE fordeepcleaningyourgrill
(Family Features) A clean grill can enhance the flavor of your food, making regular grill maintenance an essential part of your outdoor cooking routine.
Grills, especially those exposed to the elements, can accumulate dirt, rust and food residue that can affect performance and safety. Plus, residual char and grease can impart unwanted flavors and even lead to flare-ups.
Once you've gathered the right tools - a sturdy grill brush with stainless steel bristles, a scraper, a bucket of soapy water, microfiber cloths and grill cleaner or degreaser - consult this step-by-step guide to keep your grill in pristine condition, ensuring delicious meals every time.
Grilled Chicken Bundt
By FAMILY FEATURES
Recipe courtesy of "Cookin' Savvy"
Source: Culinary.net
PEOPLE: SERVES 4 TO 6
GRILL TEMP: 350 F
1. Preheat the grill for 15 minutes to loosen any stuck-on residue then turn it off and let it cool slightly.
2. Ensure the gas supply is turned off before cleaning.
3. Remove the grates and scrub them thoroughly with a grill brush and warm, soapy water. Rinse and let dry.
4. Clean burners by wiping them with a damp cloth.
5. Scrape the inside of the grill to remove any debris and use a vacuum to collect loose dirt and ash.
6. Wipe down the exterior of the grill with a microfiber cloth and grill cleaner.
7. Reassemble the grill once all parts are dry and give it a final wipe down.
In between deep cleanings, remember to clean your grill grates immediately after cooking while they are still warm to remove food particles and grease. Find more tips for the grill and beyond at eLivingtoday.com.
The INGREDIENTS
• 4 potatoes
• 2 carrots
• 8 Brussel's sprouts
• oil
• 2 tablespoons garlic powder, divided
The DIRECTIONS
1. Heat grill to 350 F with one burner off for indirect heat.
2. Cut potatoes, carrots and Brussel's sprouts into bitesized pieces. Drizzle with oil and mix in 1 tablespoon garlic powder, 1 tablespoon onion powder and 1 teaspoon salt; set aside.
3. Rub chicken with softened butter, remaining garlic powder, remaining onion powder and remaining salt.
• 2 tablespoons onion powder, divided
• 2 teaspoons salt, divided
• 1 whole chicken (4-5 pounds)
• 1/2 stick butter, softened
4. Place some veggies in bottom of bundt pan. Place chicken on top of chimney or tube of bundt pan. Fill pan with remaining veggies.
5. Place pan over indirect heat and grill 1 hour, 30 minutes, or until chicken reaches internal temperature of 165 F.
ATTRACT BIRDS WITH THE RIGHT SEEDS
(Family Features) While almost all bird seed may look pretty much the same to you, it doesn't to the birds you're feeding. Knowing what kinds of seeds different birds like can help you attract a variety of fine feathered friends to your feeders. Consider these popular seed types and the common backyard birds they attract:
Sunflower
Black sunflower seeds attract blue jays, goldfinches, woodpeckers, purple finches, chickadees, titmice and nuthatches. Striped sunflower seeds appeal to chickadees, doves, grosbeaks, northern cardinals, nuthatches, titmice and woodpeckers. Sunflower hearts (also known as "hulled sunflower" and "sunflower chips") attract chickadees, common redpolls, juncos, doves, finches, goldfinches, grosbeaks, nuthatches, pine siskins, titmice and woodpeckers.
Nyjer
These lightweight, tiny seeds are a favorite of goldfinches. Put nyjer seeds in a hanging feeder with tiny holes so the small seeds won't get blown away. Nyjer also attracts redpolls, juncos, doves, indigo bunting and pine siskin.
Safflower
These white seeds are slightly smaller than black sunflower seeds. Because they are bitter, grackles, blue jays, starlings - and squirrels - don't like them. However, they do attract doves, purple finches, chickadees, titmice and downy woodpeckers.
White millet
Good for scattering on the ground, white millet attracts ground feeders such as juncos, sparrows, indigo buntings, towhees and mourning doves.
Cracked corn
Popular with ground feeders, cracked corn appeals to doves, crows, jays, sparrows, juncos and towhees. Avoid getting finely cracked corn as it's vulnerable to rot and can quickly turn to mush.
When choosing a bird seed mix, pay attention to the ingredients list on the package. Bird seed is required by law to list ingredients in order of content. Some cheaper mixes have filler seeds such as wheat, red milo, red millet or "assorted grain products." Most backyard birds won't eat those, and your seed mix could end up wasted on the ground. Learn more about making your backyard an oasis for birds of all kinds at eLivingtoday.com.
