Pandemic-induced festival cancellations make impact in Sumter beyond events' schedules

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Festivals and events are often more than simply a fun outing for friends and family.

Many held locally are fundraisers for nonprofits, spread awareness of the hosting area and bring in tourists - and their wallets - to visit places that are otherwise not on their travel list. After a year of the pandemic and most large gatherings on hold, presumably, until vaccines make it into enough arms, it's hard to tell exactly what the impact may be as we enter the second round of cancellations or postponements, but we can be certain an impact will be felt.

The Iris Festival brings tens of thousands each year to Swan Lake, and while many are from Sumter, many travel from other counties, other states and even other countries for the event. That translates to hotel stays and tourism dollars the city has prided itself on honing, whether from events like the Iris Festival or tournaments at the Palmetto Tennis Center.

Still in its early years that could be seeing growth as the Inspire! Festival gains its identity, what's missing during a pandemic is the funds raised for several art-based nonprofits in Sumter. In its inaugural - and still only - year in 2019, Inspire! raised $24,000 for the Sumter County Gallery of Art, Sumter Little Theatre, Sumter County Museum and Rotary's CART Fund. That's not to mention the lack of exposure and sales for the artists and vendors themselves.

Weekend events such as Festival on the Avenue and the Mary McLeod Bethune Legacy Festival bring people to and awareness of areas of the community that are roads less traveled. They are a chance for the community to learn the history of areas such as Mayesville and south Sumter.

Even one-off events like Derby Day, seemingly a simple gathering to watch the Kentucky Derby in downtown Sumter, raises money for United Way. What would have been the 11th-annual Oktoberfest last fall is the largest annual fundraiser for Sumter United Ministries.

In the meantime, until these sanctioned large-group events resume, those who are able can still donate to event beneficiaries individually as a way to support those community organizations who may also be suffering from a lack of bratwurst and iris blooms.