Sumter Iris Festival returns for 82nd year May 23

The oldest continuous festival in South Carolina returns on Thursday, May 23, with Taste at the Gardens, continuing through Memorial Day weekend, all right here in Sumter.

Taste at the Gardens starts at 6 p.m. with food, music and dancing. Wear your best Hawaiian shirt to fit the theme. Admission is free.
Friday through Sunday, pack your family and closest friends into the car and head to Swan Lake Iris Gardens so you won’t miss a thing.

Check out the plants for sale by the Sumter Master Gardeners, enjoy a funnel cake by the lake among the blooming flowers, take a pontoon boat ride (your only chance to get out on Swan Lake all year) and vote for your favorite ride at the annual car shows, plus much more.

There is much more fun to go around at the annual Iris Festival. To know when and where it’s going down, check out the official schedule:

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

Noon
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 lineup begins at Sumter County 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

Noon
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 end

6 p.m.
Boat rides end
Festival trolley ends
Kids' 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
Kids' 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 visitors 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