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The 50th anniversary of the Irmo Okra Strut festival is Sept. 26–27, 2025.
Photo provided by the Town of Irmo
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Model trains, trackless train rides, trained-themed prizes and more will fill the afternoon of Railfest.
Photo provided by the City of Greer
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Live bands will play on Center Street during Folly Beach’s Mermaids & Mateys festival.
Photo provided by visitfolly.com
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The South Carolina Jazz Festival honors Cheraw native son John Birks “Dizzy” Gillespie, a world-famous trumpeter and modern jazz pioneer.
Photo provided by Cheraw Arts Commission
As the days start to shorten and the air begins to cool (finally!), pack in as much family fun as you can stand at festivals celebrating the unique cultural gifts of South Carolina, from good music to okra to, yes, even Bigfoot. Here are a few of the many events happening in smaller towns and cities across our state this fall. For more events, check out our online events calendar at scliving.coop/events.
MUSIC
Field & Stream Music Festival, Oct. 3–5
This first-year country music festival has an all-star lineup for its three-day run, including headliners Miranda Lambert, Eric Church and Lynyrd Skynyrd. Set in a Southern adventurer’s paradise, the festival will offer an outdoor-centric experience with options for camping while you enjoy more than 40 live shows across multiple stages. Ticket prices vary, starting at $92.
Located at Carolina Adventure World, 1443 Arrowhead Road, Winnsboro
South Carolina Jazz Festival, Oct. 16–19
Celebrate the 107th birthday of Cheraw native son John Birks “Dizzy” Gillespie, a world-famous trumpeter and modern jazz pioneer. Bebop your way through four days of jazz performances at venues throughout small-town Cheraw in Chesterfield County. Some shows require tickets, which can be purchased at 200 Market St. downtown.
Various locations in Cheraw
FOOD & DRINK
Summerville Sweet Tea Festival, Sept. 20
Sip your way through the historic downtown streets in the birthplace of sweet tea—South Carolina’s official state hospitality beverage—as you enjoy food trucks, craft vendors and entertainment. And, of course, vote for your favorite sweet tea sample to help select the Tea of the Year. The festival is free to attend.
Located around Hutchinson Square, Main Street and Little Main in downtown Summerville
summervilledream.org/events/sweet-tea-festival
Little River ShrimpFest, Oct. 11–12
Well, you know what they say about shrimp: It’s the fruit of the sea. You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, sauté it … (OK, Bubba, that’s enough now.) At ShrimpFest, you can enjoy the fruits of South Carolina’s coastal waters alongside live music, art and beautiful waterfront scenery. Admission is $10 per day for adults and children over 12.
Located at the Historic Little River Waterfront, 4468 Mineola Ave., Little River
Loris Bog-Off Festival, Oct. 18
What began as a town chicken bog cooking contest 45 years ago has evolved into a day-long food festival with vendors and entertainment. The star of the day remains the signature dish, a delicious combo of chicken, rice, sausage and the chef’s spices of choice. Enter the bog-off competition, or just chow down and vote for your favorite dish. The festival is free to attend.
Located at 4242 Main St., Loris
lorischamber.com/loris-bog-off-festival-1
AGRICULTURE
Irmo Okra Strut, Sept. 26–27
Classic, crispy fried okra is the centerpiece of Irmo’s signature festival, which features a parade, amusement rides for kids, concerts and numerous craft and food vendors, including much more than okra. This year’s festival has been deemed the Golden Strut, as the event celebrates its milestone 50th anniversary. The festival is free to attend.
Located at Moore Park, 7473 Church St., Irmo
Carolina Mushroom Festival, Oct. 10–12
We heard something about a mushroom costume contest and thought, “Sign us up!” This unique festival is slated to include a nature walk, fungi identification, workshops, demonstrations and, of course, food and live music. Prioritizing earth-friendliness, the event plans to compost leftover food and sustainable waste products. Ticket prices vary and start at $34.
Located at 401 Weldon Road, Pickens
Find Carolina Mushroom Festival on Facebook
CULTURE
Greer Railfest, Sept. 27
This afternoon-long event is all about trains, trains and more trains! Model trains, train museums, trackless train rides and railroad safety education will be featured, along with face painting, inflatables, food trucks, live music and chances to win train-themed prizes. The event is free to attend.
Located at Greer City Park, 301 E. Poinsett St., Greer
Mermaids & Mateys, Oct. 4
Come for the mermaids and pirates costume contest, stay for the live bands (headlined by Dangermuffin), bounce houses and local eats during this one-of-a-kind event at—where else—the beach. Tickets cost $10 in advance or $15 the day of the festival.
Located along Center Street, Folly Beach
visitfolly.com/festival/mermaids-mateys-event
South Carolina Bigfoot Festival, Oct. 10–11
Move over, Lizard Man. Bigfoot is still the king of monstrous lore in the Appalachians, and this event is dedicated to ol’ Sasquatch himself. In its sixth year, the Upstate festival welcomes true believers and skeptics alike for a weekend of Bigfoot tales, speakers, concerts, crafts and more. The festival is free to attend.
Located along Main Street, Westminster