News Summary
The 24th Annual South Carolina Festival of Discovery in Greenwood saw a record turnout, celebrating barbecue and blues music over three days. Despite high temperatures, attendees enjoyed over 55 free live performances, a barbecue competition, and family-friendly activities. The festival concluded with awards for competitors and a vibrant performance, marking its significance in fostering community spirit and local tourism.
Greenwood, South Carolina – The 24th Annual South Carolina Festival of Discovery drew a record-breaking turnout from July 10-12, 2025, in Uptown Greenwood. The three-day event celebrated the region’s rich barbecue and blues music culture, attracting thousands of attendees despite high temperatures reaching 96°F. An evening rain on the festival’s opening night resulted in the appearance of a double rainbow, setting the stage for a successful kickoff.
The festival featured over 55 free live performances across more than a dozen venues, showcasing both renowned and local talent. The Shaelyn Band from Florida opened the Blues Cruise on Thursday night, overcoming an initial weather delay. Music director Gary Erwin took the opportunity to address the crowd on opening night, emphasizing the strong community support that has become a hallmark of the festival.
Good Times Brewing participated in the festivities with a unique pink pig display on their balcony, adding a whimsical touch to the event. Attendees enjoyed a diverse range of barbecue options from several vendors, including Nard’s Backyard BBQ and Pig In or Pig Out. The festival also featured a sanctioned barbecue competition by the Kansas City Barbecue Society, where teams competed for the coveted Grand Champion title.
To engage families, the festival included a Kids Zone equipped with an amusement ride, ensuring a family-friendly atmosphere. Local performers, including Greenwood native Jamie Owens, showcased their talents on the Local Focal stage at Howard’s on Main. Contests such as Anything Goes, Dessert, Kids Que, and a hot dog-eating contest further enhanced audience participation and enjoyment.
As the festival progressed, tasting competitions allowed visitors to sample a variety of barbecue offerings prepared by skilled pitmasters. The final day culminated with awards for the barbecue competitors and a performance by Tinsley Ellis and The Blues Gurus, providing a festive end to the event.
The festival not only celebrated food and music but also contributed to local tourism and economic growth, generating substantial revenue for Greenwood’s businesses. The overwhelming success of the festival is highlighted by the enthusiastic turnout, marking it as a key event in the community’s calendar.
Planning for the 2026 festival is already in progress, reflecting the event’s ongoing popularity and the community’s commitment to celebrating its cultural heritage. The South Carolina Festival of Discovery continues to be a vital gathering for fans of barbecue and blues music, uniting families, friends, and visitors in an event that fosters community spirit and local pride.
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Additional Resources
- Index Journal: Festival of Discovery Brings Hungry Food, Music Fans to Greenwood
- Wikipedia: South Carolina Festival of Discovery
- The State: SC Festival of Discovery
- Google Search: South Carolina Festival of Discovery
- Index Journal: SC Festival of Discovery Barbecue Smells, Blues Sounds
- Encyclopedia Britannica: South Carolina
- Index Journal: SC Festival of Discovery Winds Down
- Google News: South Carolina Festival of Discovery
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.
