News Summary
The 24th Annual South Carolina Festival of Discovery opened in Uptown Greenwood, celebrating barbecue and blues music. Featuring a KCBS-sanctioned cook-off, over 80 barbecue teams, and a vibrant lineup of blues performances, this family-friendly event offers a unique culinary experience and entertainment for attendees of all ages.
Greenwood – The 24th Annual South Carolina Festival of Discovery opened on July 12, 2025, in Uptown Greenwood, celebrating the rich culture of barbecue and blues music. This highly anticipated event features a Kansas City Barbeque Society (KCBS)-sanctioned cook-off and runs until July 14, promising fun, food, and music for attendees of all ages.
On its opening day, temperatures soared to 92°F with light winds, creating a vibrant yet warm atmosphere for festival-goers. Among the highlights was a unique barbecue dish showcased by a Greenwood Metropolitan District worker, featuring barbecue and slaw rolled into a tortilla. Additionally, attendees indulged in delicious plates of ribs and sides from various barbecue vendors scattered throughout the venue.
The festival, which drew over 49,000 visitors in 2024, is expected to attract even more crowds this year. More than 80 competition barbecue teams participated in showcasing their culinary skills, offering a wide variety of barbecue styles, including some influenced by Florida cuisine. Vendors are set up throughout the area, allowing attendees to sample everything from traditional dishes to innovative barbecue options, such as alligator sausage.
The event is not solely about food, as music plays an integral role in the Festival of Discovery. A three-day Blues Cruise runs concurrently, featuring dozens of blues performances across multiple venues in Uptown Greenwood. Notably, Shrimp City Slim, serving as music director for the Blues Cruise, has organized a diverse lineup to entertain festival-goers, including performances scheduled through Saturday. The main stage, known as the Xfinity Main Stage, will also host a hot dog eating contest and a barbecue awards ceremony, adding excitement to the festivities.
In response to the heat, the city fire department set up a cooling station near the main music stage to ensure visitors remain comfortable while enjoying the event. Attendees like Army National Guard Sgt. 1st Class Jonathan Kappel and Tim Kelly, who was on vacation at Lake Greenwood, were among those relishing pulled pork and other barbecue offerings available from the different vendors.
The festival is designed for family fun, highlighted by the Kids Que competition. This initiative allows children to learn barbecue skills and compete for exciting prizes, ensuring that the next generation embraces the rich barbecue tradition in South Carolina. Local businesses also had booths featuring food and merchandise, enhancing the community-driven atmosphere of the festival.
Promoted by Carolina Pride Foods Inc. and Caterpillar, and with the Greenwood Blues Cruise presented by the Index-Journal, the Festival of Discovery represents a significant cultural celebration for the city. Local favorites like Nard’s Backyard BBQ from Piedmont continue to be a staple at this festival, participating for the past 18 years.
As the event unfolds, attendees are encouraged to explore the variety of food offerings and enjoy the lively atmosphere, which brings together barbecue lovers and music enthusiasts alike in a celebration of two beloved Southern traditions.
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Additional Resources
- Index-Journal: SC Festival of Discovery Draws Crowds
- Google Search: SC Festival of Discovery
- The State: South Carolina News
- Wikipedia: Barbecue
- Blue Ridge Outdoors: Festivals in South Carolina’s Old 96 District
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Blues Music
- WYFF4: Greenwood Drive-By Shooter News
- 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.
