Spring is such a wonderful time in South Carolina, no matter which part of the state you live in or are thinking about visiting. Keep in mind that our mountain areas see spring emerge a little later than our coastal region. And there are tons of fun things to do in South Carolina in spring as the weather warms up. The options you have to choose from are limitless, and the Sumter Iris Festival is one of the best spring events in South Carolina. You don't want to miss the best spring festival in South Carolina!
The oldest continuous festival in the state, the Iris Festival draws people from all over the country and even from Canada! It's an annual festival in South Carolina that takes place during Memorial Day weekend.
The Iris Festival is held at Sumter's Swan Lake Iris Gardens and is a three-day event that kicks off the night before the first day of the festival with an opening ceremony ...
... the Iris Festival Beauty Pageant ...
... and the "Taste at the Gardens," featuring music and delicious food from some of the area's leading restaurants, chefs, and caterers.
Tents are set up featuring arts and crafts from local vendors that are a lot of fun to peruse and shop.
Kids will enjoy an array of activities that could vary from year to year.
Antique and classic car shows are also a part of the festivities, with cars from almost every generation making an appearance!
During the Iris Festival is the only time boat rides on Swan Lake are possible, so you'll want to take full advantage of the opportunity to take in the beautiful scenery from the water. Swan Lake Iris Gardens is the only public park in the United States to feature all eight swan species and some of the most intensive plantings of Japanese Iris in the country.
You can enjoy more than 120 varieties of iris throughout this gorgeous park of 150 acres.
Swan Lake Iris Gardens has been recognized as a Top Performing Attraction and received a Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor. The Iris Festival has been named numerous times as a Top 20 Event by the Southeastern Tourism Society and was awarded a Top 100 Event in the United States by the American Bus Association. It's an event you want on your spring bucket list!
Have you ever been to the Iris Festival in Sumter, South Carolina before? Tell us about your experience in the comments! Visit the Iris Festival website and the Iris Festival Facebook page for current updates on this Sumter Iris Festival. You’ll also find information about becoming a sponsor or a vendor and applications for the parade, the pageant, and onstage performances. While you're staying in Sumter, find out where you can get a truly delicious meal:
https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/south-carolina/j-o-gradys-sumter-sc/
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