Copyright Charleston Post and Courier
FLORENCE – A nut-centered festival in a small Southeastern city draws dozens of people from hundreds of miles away each year. The South Carolina Pecan Music and Food Festival is Florence’s biggest fall event, drawing more than 50,000 people and 275 vendors downtown each year. This year it’ll take over nine city blocks and feature a music legend on the main stage. From live music and classic cars, to chalk art and pecan-inspired treats, the festival has a variety of pastimes and events – and admission is completely free. “It really feels more like a family reunion than anything else, because we have so many people each year,” said George Jebaily, the festival chairman. Vendors come from as far as California to participate, said Hannah Davis, Florence downtown development manager. Attendees trickle in from up and down the East coast. The festival has a $1-2 million dollar economic impact on the city as a whole each year, Davis said, and is run mostly by volunteers who begin planning around nine months in advance. Free events and entertainment The festival features nine stages of live music and entertainment running from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. The main stage, sponsored by Florence Toyota, will feature Thomas McClary and the Commodores Experience. McClary, a founding member of the Commodores and the man credited with discovering Lionel Richie, will headline the festival with his band from 5:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. The festival has a variety of events and opportunities for children to participate. A Kids Fun Zone will have inflatables, games, balloons, and performances by Circus Stella – a rescue-dog circus act. For kids who love hands-on learning, a dedicated STEM Zone will include science experiments and interactive exhibits from local STEM organizations. Adults, teens and kids can try drone soccer this year, which is a new event to join the festival, Davis said. The classic car show will roll onto West Evans Street with registration of $25 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Classic rides will be on display until 5 p.m. Competitions and paid attractions Though much of the festival is free, a few paid attractions and competitions are sprinkled along the nine city blocks. The pecan-inspired Run Like A Nut races, including a 5K, 10K, or half marathon start at 8 a.m. Runners have been known to travel from as far as Connecticut and Maryland to participate, Davis said. For creative types, the Arts on Evans Chalk Art Competition, sponsored by Duke Energy, will turn a downtown street into a colorful canvas. Individuals or teams can use their creativity to create chalk masterpieces on West Evans street for a chance to win a prize. Flo-Town Kids Got Talent finals will kick off at 10 a.m. at the FMU Performing Arts Center Amphitheater, putting young, local talent on display. The first phase was held on October 18th and showcased singing, dancing and instrumental talent. Now finalists will compete at the festival to select the overall winner. Paid amusement and cash only pony rides will be offered at designated festival blocks. Past rides have consisted of slides, a fun house, pendulum rides, flying swing carousels and so much more. Food and parking Food lovers can savor delicious treats with a wide variety from pecan cream funnel cakes to pecan wood-smoked barbeque, with every food vendor required to offer at least one pecan-themed dish. The streets are lined with vendors and food trucks who offer classic festival favorites as well as foods specific to their own brand. The festival's food vendors will serve up a feast of flavors, including sweet barbeque, freshly baked goods, sizzling turkey legs and even savory gyros. Organizers encourage guests to use the free Park and Ride shuttle service, provided by PDRTA, which runs every 20 minutes from 9:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. The service picks up from three satellite parking lots and drops visitors off directly to the festival. For the first time, the new City of Florence parking garage on West Evans Street will be open for the event as well.
