South Carolina’s Oldest Continuing Festival Is Back
Each year during the last full week in June, my hometown in South Carolina has a population shift. The Hampton County Watermelon Festival has been around since 1939. The week long event welcomes several thousand visitors to attend South Carolina’s Oldest Continuing Festival. It has also become like a big family reunion!
You can enjoy a pet show, kid parade, free street dance, beauty queens, fishing, arts & crafts, the BEST parade, and LOCAL ice cold Hampton County Watermelon!
This year is special for several reasons. It’s the 80th celebration, and the theme is Honoring Healthcare Heroes! Unfortunately, the festival had to pause for a coupe of years due to the pandemic, but it’s back in full swing this year.
Enjoy some the highlights and events below and make sure and visit this year if you can! The festival continues this week through June 25th. If you need directions and information, the festival link is posted below the pictures.
(All photos are courtesy of the Hampton County Watermelon Festival)
Everyone enjoys the Watermelon eating contest!
Several of Hampton Counties “Little Miss” Beauties
The free watermelon slices are always a hit with adults and kids each year!
Another generation enjoying the first taste of a Hampton County watermelon!
SC Senator Lindsey Graham attends the festival almost every year!
Local farmers compete for the best melon every year!
All of the local towns in Hampton County compete in the Battle Of The Towns!
The parade is a favorite every year!
Even the pets have fun at the festival!
