79th Iris Festival Schedule: Event begins Thursday with Taste at the Gardens

THURSDAY - MAY 23

Ribbon cutting / Crowning of the King and Queen: Heath Pavilion, 5:15 p.m.

Taste at the Gardens with Elijah Bradford and The Valentinos: Garden Street Stage, 6 - 9 p.m. Tickets available at the gate, $5; food and beverage for purchase.

FRIDAY - MAY 24

Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital Community Health Initiatives free screenings: Swan Lake Visitors Center, 9-11 a.m. Hypertension, cholesterol, diabetes - Requires a 12-hour fast. Call (803) 774-CARE to register.

Featured Artist Michael Duffy: Bland Gardens Gazebo, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Just Kidding Around: Children's Area by Palmetto Amusements, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.; rides, blow-ups and more

SATURDAY - MAY 25

Introduction of Kings and Queens: Main Stage, Noon

Featured artist Michael Duffy: Bland Gardens Gazebo, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

14th-Annual Shrine Day Parade hosted by the Jamil Streakers: West Liberty Street, 10 a.m.; begins at Sumter County Fairgrounds

Children's Art in the Park: Bland Gardens, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Just Kidding Around: Children's Area by Palmetto Amusements, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.; rides, blow-ups and more

DNR Heritage Exhibit: Garden Street Side, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Anastasia Patterson, Angler: Bass Fishing League; Garden Street Side, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Mary Hinson Flower Show: Celebrating the Festivals of S.C.; Alice Boyle Garden Center, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

SAFE Kids Adventureland (Kiwanis kid fingerprinting, bike rodeo, informational displays): Sponsored by SAFE Kids Sumter County and the Tuomey Foundation, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Car Show: Bland Gardens, 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.

SUNDAY - MAY 26

Featured artist Michael Duffy: Bland Gardens Gazebo, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Children's Art in the Park: Bland Gardens, noon - 5 p.m.

Just Kidding Around: Children's Area by Palmetto Amusements, noon - 5 p.m.; rides, blow-ups and more

Car Show: Bland Gardens, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m.

Mary Hinson Flower Show: Celebrating the Festivals of S.C.; Alice Boyle Garden Center, 1 - 4 p.m.

More info is available at www.IrisFestival.org. All events subject to change or cancellation. Children's area activities are free unless otherwise indicated and will be held in the playground area as well as near the Main Stage with the exception of Children's Art in the Park, which is held in the Bland Gardens on the north side of West Liberty Street.

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MAIN STAGE

Friday, May 24

3-4 p.m., Sorry, Peach Band

4-5 p.m., Sumter High School Jazz Band

5-5:30 p.m., Dreamworks Dance Academy

5:30-6 p.m., Believer's Quartet

Saturday, May 25

10:30-11:30 a.m., Angie's Puppets

11:30 a.m.-Noon, Miss Libby's School of Dance

Noon, Iris Festival Queens

12:30-1 p.m., Freed School of Dance

1-2 p.m., Fallen Statues

2-2:30 p.m., Brendan Kirby

2:30-3 p.m., Sorry, Peach Band

3-4 p.m., Sumter High School Show and Chamber Choirs

4-4:30 p.m., Team Robinson Martial Arts

4:30-5 p.m., Sumter Tae Kwon Do

5-5:30 p.m., TBA

5:30-6 p.m., Last Generation Quartet

Sunday, May 26

12:30-1:30 p.m., Maddie Hunt (Myrtle Beach)

1:30-2:30 p.m., Marty Atkinson and Family

2:30-3:15 p.m., Zadok - Gospel Rapper

3:30-4:30 p.m., Sandy Banks (T)

DOCK

Friday, May 24

2-4 p.m., From The Morning

Saturday, May 25

10 a.m.-2 p.m., Mel Geddings

2-4 p.m., From The Morning

Sunday, May 26

2-4 p.m., John Berry & Kelvin Jarvis

GAZEBO

Saturday, May 25

Noon-4 p.m., Frank Fickling

Sunday, May 26

1-4 p.m., Frank Fickling