State Museum Hosts Annual Fall Festival and Pickin’ Party

The South Carolina State Museum is kicking off the fall season with its annual Fall Festival and Pickin’ Party from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 24. The festival presents a mixture of opportunities for guests to enjoy South Carolina barbeque and food, craft beer, live bluegrass music, artist demonstrations, kid friendly activities and more outside and inside the museum.

The festival will feature a variety of barbeque made by award-winning South Carolina pit masters cooked on-site at the event including mustard-based sauce by Jim Hayes of West Columbia, light tomato sauce by Buddy Rogers of Marion, and vinegar and pepper sauce by David Elliott of Hemingway. In addition, chicken bog, delicious sides and local craft beer will be available for guests.

Throughout the day, there will be live music from a variety of bluegrass bands performing, including Steam Drill, Willie Wells and the Blue Ridge Mountain Grass and Blue Iguanas. The SC Bluegrass and Traditional Music Association will also be on hand at the festival.

A number of accomplished artists and craftspeople from across the state will be demonstrating and discussing their techniques, including folk artist Herman Thompson, blacksmith Heyward Haltiwanger, woodcarver Joda Snipes, lotion and soap maker Polly Fitzgibbon, painter Rick Wells, Sweetgrass basket maker Jennifaye Singleton, black folk artist Geraldine Smith, decoy artist Tom Boozer and luthier/guitar maker Jack Bouknight and more.

“Fall Festival is great opportunity to experience some of the reasons why South Carolina is incredibly unique, from foodways to music to art,” said Celeste Wszola, programs manager at the State Museum. “It’s an event for people of all ages to not only learn about the trades of the artists, but also purchase some one-of-a-kind handmade objects.”

The museum will also conduct a “Bed Turning,” presenting quilts as they were meant to be seen. Textile historian and restorer Maree Dowdey and State Museum registrar Robyn Adams will showcase quilts from the State Museum’s collection, revealing their history, pattern, significance and backing.

There will be a children’s area with a variety of activities and hands-on crafts. Fall Festival and Pickin’ Party will take place in front of the museum, as well in the lobby and in areas throughout the museum. Guests are welcome to bring their own chair or blanket to enjoy some of the bands playing outside. All Fall Festival and Pickin’ Party activities are included with museum general admission or membership, except for food, beverages and art purchases. Visit scmuseum.org for more information about the event.