Festival of Roses
to
Edisto Memorial Gardens Edisto, South Carolina
This annual event celebrates the blooming of their beautiful roses and the beginning of a yearlong opportunity to enjoy the natural setting of the Edisto Memorial Gardens along the banks of the Edisto River, the longest black water river in the world
History
The Orangeburg Festival of Roses began as a vision held by a group of citizens seeking a way to enhance the development of Orangeburg and improve the quality of life for its residents. As a result of that vision, the first festival was held in 1972. The Greater Orangeburg Chamber of Commerce was the sole sponsor of that first festival. At present the City of Orangeburg and the Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce are co-sponsors of the event. The format has changed over the years, but the basic concept has remained the same - an abundance of beautiful roses, enjoyable activities, and entertainment for the entire family to enjoy.
The Orangeburg County Fine Arts Center, Downtown Orangeburg Revitalization Association, Orangeburg Rotary and Kiwanis Clubs, Orangeburg Distributors and other organizations add their special entertainment and activities to make the 41st Annual Orangeburg Festival of Roses very special.
Edisto Memorial Gardens
Located on U.S. 301 in Orangeburg, The Edisto Memorial Gardens are rated as one of the top 20 visitor attractions in South Carolina by the Southeast Tourism Society.
The gardens sit on historic ground. In early 1865, approximately six hundred Confederate soldiers gathered on the land to defend the Edisto River Bridge from advancing Union troops. Occupying rifle pits, these soldiers temporarily halted the Yankees. However, on Feb. 12, 1865, outflanked by a much larger force, these defenders were compelled to withdraw for Columbia.
This area along the Edisto River, so gallantly defended by its natives, was no more than a marshy swamp overgrown with brush and trash. Through the years, it has been transformed into a floral paradise.
Andrew C. Dibble is credited with the vision of the Gardens as he planned and developed this beautiful place.
In the mid 1920's the first azaleas were planted on a five-acre plot of cleared land near the river. A city playground was built nearby in 1922. Green houses and nursery facilities were added in 1947, and to extend the season of beauty, a rose garden was planted in January 1951.
The Edisto Memorial Gardens now cover 175 acres, complete with azaleas, camellias, roses and other flowering trees and plants among giant, centuries-old cypress and other varieties of native trees. It also contains several special gardens, parks and features (listed below and on following pages). More than 600,000 people visit each year.
The average peak spring blooms of azaleas, crabapple, dogwood, Japanese Yoshino Cherries, wisteria and other types of greenery are from mid-March to mid-April depending on weather conditions. Roses begin to blossom soon after the middle of April and continue until the first frost in November.
The Edisto Memorial Gardens are open every day from dawn to dusk free of charge for the public to enjoy. For more details, call the City of Orangeburg Parks and Recreation Department at (803) 533-6020.
Attractions and Events
Riverside Drive is the site for the Arts & Crafts show and sale, as well as for many of our non-profit food vendors. As always, hand crafted items and specialty items will be for sale. In addition to the arts & crafts show, the 2014 Festival of Roses will feature three stages with entertainment. Special entertainment and activities are on tap for children of all ages. The Kid's Area will be located in front of the Orangeburg County Fine Arts Center. The area will feature inflatable activities as well as food vendors catering to the child in all of us. Activities begin on Thursday evening with Showcase Orangeburg and continue through Sunday afternoon.
Street Dance hosted by DORA
May 2, 2014, Friday from 7:00pm to 10:00pm. "Men of Distinction" will be our entertainment this year! Put on your dancing shoes and grab your lawn chairs and meet us at the Plaza downtown for an evening of family music and entertainment!
Senior's Day
Seniors' Day at the Orangeburg Festival of Roses will be Friday, May 2nd. Contact Brittany Hartzog at 803.533.6020 for more information.
Rose Festival Road Race
The 2014 Rose Festival Road Race will be held on Saturday, May 3rd. This year's activities include a 12K Run, 5K Run/Walk and a Kid's Fun Run.
Blackwater River Race
The Blackwater River Race is one of the most unique competitions held during the weekend. One and two-man canoes and kayaks compete in several categories. The race will begin at 12:00 p.m., Saturday, May 3rd at the Baughman's Landing located on Shillings Bridge Road. It will end at the City of Orangeburg Boat Dock. The race will take approximately two hours for all participants to finish, after which the awards will be presented. The Orangeburg Kiwanis Club and Zeus Industrial Products, Inc. sponsor the event. Join the fun as these boaters test their skills on the Edisto, the longest blackwater river in the world.
Orangeburg Princess of Roses Pageant
2014 Orangeburg Princess of Roses Pageant Applications Available
The City of Orangeburg Parks & Recreation Department is accepting applications for the 2014 Orangeburg Princess of Roses Pageant. The Pageant will be held on March 8, 2014 at 2:00pm at the Stevenson Auditorium; Deadline for entry is 5:00pm Friday, February 28, 2014. Age is calculated as of the pageant date, March 8, 2014. Wee Orangeburg Princess of Roses 4-6 years old.
Young ladies from throughout the state are invited to take part in this annual event. Age divisions are: Orangeburg Princess of Roses—15-16 years old; Teen Orangeburg Princess of Roses—13-14 years old; Young Orangeburg Princess of Roses—10-12 years old; Little Orangeburg Princess of Roses—7-9 years old
In the Pageant, there will be a winner, first, and second runner-up in each age division. There will also be a Photogenic Competition for contestants who wish to enter one or more photographs. A winner and runner-up will be chosen in each of the Princess Photogenic age divisions.
Participants must compete in their stated age division. Age is calculated as of the pageant date, March 8, 2014.
Applications are available at the City of Orangeburg Parks and Recreation Department and the Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce. Entry fee is $35 for the Pageant, $10 for the first photograph in the Photogenic Competition, and $5 for additional photographs in the Photogenic Competition. Deadline for entry is 5:00pm Friday, February 28, 2014—No exceptions. To receive an application contact Jacquelyn Fogle, Pageant Coordinator, at jfogle@orangeburg.sc.us or (803) 533-6020.
The 2014 Orangeburg Princess of Roses Pageant is sponsored by the Orangeburg Festival of Roses and 100.3 WORG FM.
Orangeburg Queen of Roses Pageant
The Orangeburg Queen of Roses Scholarship Committee is pleased to announce that applications are now available for the 2014 Orangeburg Queen of Roses Scholarship Pageant. The Pageant will be held on Saturday, March 8, 2014 at the Stevenson Auditorium at 7:00pm. Deadline for entry is 5:00pm , February 28, 2014. Age is calculated as of the pageant date, March 8, 2014. Age requirements are between 17-22 years old.
The Executive Committee is looking for young women that meet the eligibility requirements of being 17-23 years old, has never been married or pregnant, is a full-time college or university student as of the 2014 fall semester who is either a resident of South Carolina or is attending a South Carolina college or university.
Contestants will compete in Sportswear, Talent, and Evening Gown/On Stage Question. Judging will be on a 1-10 scale with the highest overall score being crowned Orangeburg Queen of Roses. Awards for Orangeburg Queen of Roses include a $1,500 scholarship, crown, trophy and sash. First and Second Runners-Up will receive $750 and $500 respectively, and a trophy. The Talent Competition Winner will receive a $500 scholarship and trophy.
If you or someone you know meets these requirements and is interested in becoming a contestant, please contact Jacquelyn Fogle at 533-6020 to have an application mailed to you. You may also email jfogle@orangeburg.sc.us The Orangeburg Queen of Roses Pageant is sponsored by the City of Orangeburg Parks and Recreation Department and 100.3 WORG.
Airplane Rides and Exhibit
EAA Chapter 1367, the New Hawthrone Aviators, will be offering scenic air tours of Orangeburg during the 2014 Orangeburg Festival of Roses.
Sports Tournaments
The City of Orangeburg Parks and Recreation Department is pleased to offer several tournaments as part of the Orangeburg Festival of Roses. This year tournaments will be offered in softball and golf and Disc Golf. Call 803-534-6821 or 803-533-6020 for more information or download an application at this site.
Golf Tournament
The 41st Annual Orangeburg Festival of Roses Golf Tournament will be held May 2-4, 2014 at Hillcrest Golf Club. Entries must be filled out and received by 12:00 noon on Thursday, May 01, 2014. See tournament application for details of the this event.
Softball Tournament
The City of Orangeburg Parks and Recreation Department will be hosting the 2014 Orangeburg Festival of Roses Men's Softball Tournament during the festival. For more information please contact DeLeon Johnson at 803-533-6020 or email DeJohnson@orangeburg.sc.us.
Disc Golf Tournament
The Orangeburg Festival of Roses Disc Golf Tournament will be held on April 5 & 6, 2014 and is sponsored by Orangeburg Parks and Recreation, the Charleston Disc Golf Club and Innova Discs. Registration is from 8:30am – 9:30am. Tournament Director contact information is Jason Duderanke.
Disc Golf Flyer
Tennis Classic
Orangeburg Festival of Roses Tennis Classic will be held Saturday, May 3, 2014. See application for details or contact Jaime Aimar at 803-533-6020