News Summary
The South Carolina Festival of Discovery is set to take place in Uptown Greenwood, featuring a mix of barbecue and blues music. Expected to draw large crowds, the event will have a significant economic impact on the community. Highlights include a Kansas City Barbeque Society-sanctioned cook-off and performances by various musical acts, concluding with Tinsley Ellis. Local vendors will showcase diverse culinary offerings, ensuring a vibrant atmosphere. City officials are coordinating logistics, including road closures for safety. The festival promises to create a family-friendly environment celebrating local culture.
Greenwood, South Carolina – The 24th Annual South Carolina Festival of Discovery is set to commence this Thursday and will run through Saturday in Uptown Greenwood, featuring a lively mix of barbecue and blues music. The event is expected to draw significant crowds and generate an estimated economic impact of over $2.6 million for the community, benefiting local businesses, hotels, and restaurants.
This year’s festival promises three days of culinary delights and musical performances, anchored by a Kansas City Barbeque Society-sanctioned cook-off on Saturday. Dozens of competitive cooking teams from across the country are anticipated to showcase their skills and unique offerings, adding to the festival’s vibrant atmosphere.
Leading up to the festival, preparations are in full swing in Uptown Greenwood. Local barbecue vendor, Nard’s Backyard BBQ from Piedmont, has set up along Main Street, a strategic location that provides visibility and easy access to festival-goers looking to enjoy the music and food. Nard’s BBQ has been a festival participant for 18 years, underscoring its popularity in the local culinary scene.
Festival attendees can look forward to a variety of barbecue options. The Pig In or Pig Out barbecue team from Florida is also participating, featuring inventive menu items such as alligator sausage and refreshing pineapple drinks. Their chef, nicknamed “Tiki” Tim Reynolds, is eager to present his creative “pig slop” nachos alongside portable barbecue creations.
In addition to the gastronomic offerings, live blues music will fill the air across more than a dozen venues in Uptown Greenwood. Highlighting the music lineup is a finale concert featuring Tinsley Ellis and The Blues Gurus, scheduled to take place at Howard’s on Main, which will also host performances across various genres, including country, jazz, rock, and soul.
As the festival approaches, city officials are liaising with local businesses to ensure the event runs smoothly. For safety reasons, Main Street will be closed from Seabord Avenue to Court Avenue starting Thursday evening, providing ample pedestrian accessibility and safety for event guests. Traffic detours are being implemented to manage road closures during the event. Local law enforcement will also be present to enforce safety measures, including a ban on concealment of weapons due to alcohol being served at the festival.
The festival will also include a people’s choice barbecue competition, allowing visitors to vote for their favorite barbecue entry, thus engaging the community in the culinary festivities.
Weather forecasts indicate mixed clouds and sun in the morning, with scattered thunderstorms developing in the afternoon. The anticipated high is 89°F, with a 50% chance of rain. Evening temperatures are expected to drop to around 70°F, with a light breeze from the southwest.
This year’s festival is presented by Carolina Pride Foods Inc. and Caterpillar, with the Greenwood Blues Cruise sponsored by the Index-Journal, enabling a collaborative effort to bring this community celebration to life. The South Carolina Festival of Discovery aims to create a family-friendly environment where attendees can enjoy quality barbecue and exceptional music, contributing to the cultural richness of Greenwood.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Explore July Festivals Across South Carolina
Greenwood County Launches Zero Tolerance for Litter Month
Comcast Expands Broadband Services in Greenwood, SC
Broadband Expansion Boosts Connectivity in Greenwood, SC
Comcast Invests $6.1 Million in Greenwood, SC Broadband Expansion
Spring Festivals in the Lakelands Bring Community Together
Greenwood Triumphs at the South Carolina Festival of Flowers
First-Ever Greenwood Eats Food Event Kicks Off
Additional Resources
- Index Journal: SC Festival of Discovery
- Wikipedia: Festival
- WSPA: Greenwood’s Festival of Discovery
- Google Search: Festival of Discovery Greenwood
- The State: Festival of Discovery
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Barbecue
- Blue Ridge Outdoors: Festivals in South Carolina
- Google News: Greenwood South Carolina
Author: HERE Greenwood
The GREENWOOD STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREGreenwood.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Greenwood, Greenwood County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Festival of Flowers, Greenwood Community Theatre performances, and agricultural showcases at the Greenwood County Fairgrounds. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce and the Greater Greenwood United Ministry, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and healthcare that power the local economy such as FujiFilm Manufacturing and Self Regional Healthcare. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharleston.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGreenville.com, and HEREHiltonHead.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
