Colleton County Rice Festival returns for 50th year

WALTERBORO, S.C. (WCBD) – The 50^th annual Colleton County Rice Festival returns for two exciting days of food, fun, and all things rice.

While events have been happening all week – like a community concert, beauty pageant, and movies on the lawn – the main festival will take place April 25 and 26 from 10 a.m. until 7 p.m.

Festivities include a kids’ carnival, street vendors, food court, live entertainment, and even a parade, car show, and fireworks finale.

The popular “Dock Dogs” competition, typically seen during the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition, will have demonstrations during the two-day festival at 101 Hampton Street.

Vendors will line Hampton Street with a showcase of art, crafts, and various items for sale. More than 20 food trucks and tents with a collection of food, dessert, and drinks will be available in the city parking lot on Hampton/E. Washington Street.

Plus, you can find the largest pot of rice at Walterboro Civitan’s on the corner of Hampton and Lucas streets.

The annual Rice Festival Parade will march down Jefferies Boulevard starting at 11 a.m. Saturday – stepping off on S. Jefferies Blvd. at Detreville Street and moving north up S. Jefferies Blvd. to Forest Hills Road. The parade will end in the Ivanhoe Shopping Center parking lot.

Festivities culminate with a fireworks show on Saturday at 9 p.m. Organizers say the best places to view the fireworks will be in the Ivanhoe parking lot, Hargo Hill, Walterboro Wildlife Center Amphitheater, and from downtown Walterboro.

For a full look at events or to find additional information about the festival, please click here.