Enjoy everything these spring weekends will bring in Sumter
Love shrimp? This feast's for you. Sumter Museum's 23th-annual Shrimp Feast featuring shrimp prepared a variety of ways is returning from 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday, April 24, at the museum, 122 N. Washington St. Tickets are $50 members; $75 non-members. Purchase tickets at https://tinyurl.com/432t2szp. Also, don't miss out on the museum's Silent Auction in McKenzie Hall. Bid on incredible items and take home something special. Also, try your luck in the 50/50 drawing - winner takes half the pot.
Support veterans through the Wounded Warrior Project and Air Force Wounded Warrior Program and get some exercise at the same time at the Wounded Warrior 5K at Patriot Park. Race day is Saturday, April 26, beginning at 8 a.m. with check-in at the park at 380 General Drive. Race begins at 9 a.m. The first 300 total participants who register will receive a T-shirt, Wounded Warrior bracelets, bib and Fleet Feet of Augusta goody bag. All money from signups will go toward the two veterans' projects. Register for $30 at https://tinyurl.com/2psfve6s.
It's time to start planning float entries for the Sumter Iris Festival Parade. This year's parade will be held Saturday, May 17, at 10 a.m. with the theme "Purple Wonder." If your school, civic club, church or business would like an application, please visit irisfestival.org, or contact Gail Hyatt at (803) 983-3916, or via email, gailhyatt@sc.rr.com. Deadline for entry is Friday, April 25. The parade kicks off the weekend days of the annual Iris Festival, held each year in May. This year's festival falls earlier, before Memorial Day weekend, and includes four days of good food, plenty of shopping opportunities, games and rides for the kids and the young at heart, plants to beautify your garden and much more. It all begins with the annual Taste at the Gardens on Thursday, May 15. Look for more information on the annual event at https://tinyurl.com/bdhtv48y.
ArtFields will turn Lake City into an art gallery from April 25 to May 3. The annual event will include a plethora of events, classes and chances to enjoy the town, the artwork and the community. More than 40 venues are open each day of the festival from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. except Sunday, when viewing hours are 1 to 6 p.m. Artwork from artists across the Southeast will be displayed, including from Sumter and the surrounding area. There will be Makers Market days, a portrait contest, live music, competition artwork on display, artist talks and much more. For more information and updates on the Art Fields schedule, visit artfieldssc.org.
Pinewood's BirdFest is scheduled for Friday, May 2, and Saturday, May 3, at the beautiful South Carolina Waterfowl Association Wildlife Education Center at 8444 Old River Road with a lineup that has something for everyone. This year's lineup includes Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder, Della Mae, Fireside Collective, Chatham Rabbits, Holler Choir, Stoneface Mountain, Cosmic Possum and the festival's host band, Steep Canyon Rangers. Food and drink vendors will offer a variety of goods for attendees including barbecue, coffee, seafood and pizza. Bounce houses, zip lines, face painting and a petting zoo are all free kids' events for ticketholders, and kids 12 and under are admitted for free. Tickets can be purchased at https://birdfestmusic.com/buy-tickets. For the camping or glamping sorts, there are options to purchase a spot for an RV or a tent at the URL. Tickets are only available online and are liable to sell out.
Dig your '80s sweaters, socks and hairspray out to dress up for the Palmetto Optimist Club's Microbrew Festival on Saturday, May 10. The theme is Rockin' the '80s, and the event will kick off in downtown Sumter's Rotary Plaza. Bad Water will play hits from the era, and you can stroll through downtown to different host locations for food and beers provided by Yahnis while enjoying the '80s vibe in costume. There will be a contest for best costume, complete with prizes. Guests can also vote for their favorite host location decorations. Snag the early bird rate of $35 until April 30. After that, the fee is $40 until the festival or $45 at the door. Military members and seniors get a $5 discount. Buy tickets at https://tinyurl.com/4sk84u8k.
The 15th-annual Daffodil Arts and Crafts Show will be held May 17-18 in the Fair Memorial Building, 30 Artillery Drive. Hours will be 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday and noon-4 p.m. Sunday. The event will support K.A.T.S Special Kneads, Toys for Tots, Pack 339, Troops 339 and Second Chance Animal Shelter. Free parking and free admission. Please bring non-perishable food items for Sumter United Ministries. Three items get your name entered into a drawing for a $25 giftcard. The craft/vendor lists includes A&R Crafts, Bows & More, Cornerstone Creations, Crafts by Madi, Dan's Woodworks, Debbie's Birdfeeders, Donna's Arts and Crafts, Embellished Art Decor, Everything Paper, Haley Brooke Design's, K.A.T.S Special Kneads, Kit's Handmade Baskets, LGM Crafts, Pack 339, Reeca's Gifts, RK Art, Scentsy Independent consultant, The Hickory Nut, TLEC Creations, Tree of Liberty Crafts and Troop 339. The event is sponsored by K.A.T.S Special Kneads Small Animal Shelter, 3845 Highway 15 N., Sumter, (803) 469-3906. For more information, call Debra at (803) 983-3235.