Sumter Iris Festival still happening rain or shine, may temporarily close if conditions worsen
With heavy storms forecast for the weekend, the Sumter Iris Festival festivities will commence with caution.
According to Shelley Kile, communications and tourism director for the City of Sumter, the multi-day event is rain or shine, but if there’s any “threat to life,” meaning lightning, it could temporarily be shut down for the public’s safety until the storm passes.
“Myself and the Iris Festival Commission are monitoring it closely with the Sumter (Police Department) to make that call,” she said.
Follow The Sumter Item for updates and coverage throughout the weekend.
SCHEDULE
Friday, May 26
9 a.m.
Tandem Health blood pressure screenings begin, Visitors Center
10 a.m.
All vendors open
Petting zoo opens, beside Visitors Center
Education day activities start
Backcountry experience opens, kids area
Kids scavenger hunt begins (K-5)
Boat rides begin, Garden Street dock
Festival trolly starts
Bill Eaker, Main Stage
11 a.m.
Tandem Health Blood pressure screenings end
Noon
Karaoke with Bill Eaker, Main Stage
1 p.m.
Backcountry experience ends
2 p.m.
From the Morning, Dock Stage
Violinist Martina Williams, various locations
3:34 p.m.
Fighting for Daylight, Main Stage
4:30 p.m.
Just Vibes Band, Main Stage
5 p.m.
Education day activities end
5:30 p.m.
Believer's Quartet, Main Stage
6 p.m.
All vendors close
Petting zoo closes
Boat rides end
Festival trolley ends
6:30 p.m.
4th Fridays outdoor concert in downtown Sumter at the Historic Sumter County Courthouse
7:30 p.m.
The Phantom Tollbooth, Sumter Little Theatre
Saturday, May 27
9 a.m.
Parade line up begins at Sumter Civic Center
Head Turnerz Classic Car Show registration begins, Heath Pavilion
10 a.m.
17th-Annual Shrine Day Parade begins, 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
SAFE Kids Adventureland begins, Kids Area
Boat rides begin, Garden Street dock
Mary Hinson Flower Show begins, Alice Boyle Garden Center
Mel Geddings, Dock Stage
10:45 a.m.
Hands on Praise Puppets, Main Stage
11 a.m.
Spring Garden Tour begins, Alice Boyle Garden Center, 842 W. Liberty St.
Head Turnerz Classic Car Show judging begins, Heath Pavilion
Shuttle buses from Civic Center to Swan Lake start
11:45 a.m.
Miss Libby's School of Dance, Main Stage
Noon
USC Cocky, Visitors Center and throughout the festival
Frank Fickling, Garden Street Stage
12:15 p.m.
Iris King and Queens introduced, Main Stage
12:30 p.m.
Dreamworks Dance Academy, Main Stage
1:15 p.m.
Sumter Tae Kwan Do, Main Stage
2 p.m.
SHS Show Choir, Main Stage
From the Morning, Dock Stage
Violinist Martina Williams, Various Locations
3 p.m.
Spring Garden Tour ends
Head Turnerz Classic Car Show ends
4 p.m.
Just Vibes Band, Main Stage
Mary Hinson Flower Show ends
SAFE Kids Adventureland ends
5 p.m.
Children's Art in the Park ends
6 p.m.
Boat rides end
Festival trolley ends
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
7:30 p.m.
The Phantom Tollbooth, Sumter Little Theatre
Sunday, May 28
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
Boat rides begin, Garden Street dock
Festival trolly starts
Boat rides begin, Garden Street dock
Kids area opens
1 p.m.
Frank Fickling, Garden Street Stage
Mary Hinson Flower Show begins, Alice Boyle Garden Center, 842 W. Liberty St.
Sumter Cruisers Iris Festival Car Show begins, Heath Pavilion
2 p.m.
The Green Swamp Collective, Main Stage
3 p.m.
Sumter Cruisers Iris Festival Car Show ends
The Phantom Tollbooth, Sumter Little Theatre
4 p.m.
Mary Hinson Flower Show ends
5 p.m.
Festival Trolly ends
Boat rides end
Kids area closes
Petting zoo closes
All vendors close
5:15 p.m.
Shuttle buses from Civic Center to Swan Lake end