Sumter Iris Festival is again a Memorial Day fixture
The Sumter Iris Festival kicks off its long-awaited 80th year tomorrow when Swan Lake Iris Gardens will transform into a haven for community and family friendly fun.
The fun begins the evening before the festival with the annual crowning of the Iris King and Queen during the Taste at the Gardens, which features food and music from local restaurants, chefs and caterers.
Its 80th year had been put on hold since 2020 because of the pandemic, and to celebrate its return, the city and local businesses are also hosting other events to coincide with the daytime outdoors festival. While the festival will feature vendors, arts and crafts, a plant and flower sale, an antique and classic car show, concerts, contests and children's activities, there will be more to do at night with themed parties and local art and theater.
With the Taste at the Gardens lasting from 6 to 9 p.m. tomorrow, the festival will be open at Swan Lake on Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
Thursday, May 26
6 p.m.
- Opening ceremony, Garden Street gate
- Crowning of the King and Queen, Garden Street gate
- Boat rides begin, Garden Street dock
- Taste at the Gardens begins, Garden Street gate
8:30 p.m.
Boat rides end
Taste at the Gardens closes
Friday, May 27
10 a.m.
All vendors open
Petting zoo opens, beside Visitors Center
2 p.m.
From the Morning, Dock Stage
3 p.m.
Sorry, Peach Band, Main Stage
5 p.m.
Dreamworks Dance Company, Main Stage
5:30 p.m.
Believer's Quartet, Main Stage
6 p.m.
All vendors close
Petting zoo closes
Saturday, May 28
9 a.m.
Parade lineup begins at Sumter Civic Center
Head Turnerz Classic Car registration begins, Bland Gardens
10 a.m.
17th-Annual Shrine Day Parade, Sumter Civic Center to USC Sumter
All vendors open
Carousel opens, beside Visitors Center
Petting zoo opens, beside Visitors Center
Kids Area opens, Children's playground area and Garden Street entrance
Children's Art in the Park begins, Bland Gardens
SAFE Kids Adventureland begins, Children's playground area
Boat rides begin, Garden Street dock
Mary Hinson Flower Show begins, Alice Boyle Garden Center
Mel Geddings, Dock Stage
Lemira Percussion Ensemble, Main Stage
10:30 a.m.
Hands on Praise, Main Stage
11 a.m.
Spring Garden Tour begins, Alice Boyle Garden Center, 842 W. Liberty St.
Head Turnerz Classic Car judging begins, Bland Gardens
Llamas on the Go, Garden Street
11:30 a.m.
Miss Libby's School of Dance, Main Stage
Noon
Shuttle buses from Civic Center to Swan Lake start
Iris King and Queens introduced, Main Stage
Get Cocky, Visitors Center
Frank Fickling begins, Gazebo
12:30 p.m.
Freed School of Performing Arts, Main Stage
1 p.m.
Sumter Tae Kwon Do, Main Stage
1:30 p.m.
Kirby Acoustics, Main Stage
2 p.m.
From the Morning, Dock Stage
2:30 p.m.
Sorry, Peach Band, Main Stage
3 p.m.
Sumter High School Show Choir, Main Stage
Spring Garden Tour ends
Head Turnerz Classic Car Show ends
4 p.m.
Team Robinson, Main Stage
Mary Hinson Flower Show ends
SAFE Kids Adventureland ends
5 p.m.
Children's Art in the Park ends
5:30 p.m.
Last Generation Quartet, Main Stage
6 p.m.
Just Kidding Around Children's Area ends
Carousel closes, beside Visitors Center
Petting zoo closes
All vendors close
6:15 p.m.
Shuttle buses from Civic Center to Swan Lake end
Sunday, May 29
10 a.m.
All vendors open
Boat rides begin, Garden Street dock
Petting zoo opens, beside Visitors Center
Shuttle buses from Civic Center to Swan Lake Start
Noon
Kids area opens, Children's playground area and Garden Street entrance
1 p.m.
Mary Hinson Flower Show begins, Alice Boyle Garden Center, 842 W. Liberty St.
Sumter Cruisers Iris Festival Car Show begins, Bland Gardens
Frank Fickling, Gazebo
2 p.m.
Mercy's Hand, Dock Stage
2:30 p.m.
Gospel Artist Zadok, Main Stage
Sumter Cruisers Iris Festival Car Show ends
4 p.m.
Gospel Artist Zadok, Main Stage
Mary Hinson Flower Show ends
5 p.m.
Kids area closes
Petting zoo loses
All vendors close
5:15 p.m.
Shuttle buses from Civic Center to Swan Lake end