The Colleton County Rice Festival Committee will host the 49th annual Rice Festival in Downtown Walterboro on April 26th and 27th, along with two preliminary events on April 6th and April 23rd, and one post event on April 28th.
Long-time festival Chairman and Event Director Jimmy “Bubba” Trippe, Office Manager Charlotte Brinson, and Arts and Crafts director Billie Shoupe, retired from the Rice Festival in 2023 after serving for more than a decade and a half. “This year has been quite the learning curve without Bubba, Charlotte and Billie, but I have worked alongside them on the board for more than 8 years now - as have other board members - and they have been great mentors. They taught us well and are still there to answer questions and offer help whenever we need it,” said new Event Director, Ashley Rohde. Ashley has served on the Rice Festival committee since 2018 as the Rice Run 5k Director and Creative Designer for shirts, print advertising and social media management.
“Our committee is excited to continue to grow this festival that was built from the ground up by former members to make it what it is today. We want the Rice Festival to continue to be Colleton’s biggest and best event. We have an exciting lineup for you all this year,” said Rohde.
“The Rice Festival would not be possible without our volunteer committee and the dedicated support from our Sponsors, community friends, the ATAX fund, and our liaisons at the City of Walterboro and Colleton County offices and public safety departments —THANK YOU!”
The 2024 Colleton County Rice Festival is brought to you by Genesis Healthcare and features:
SCHOLARSHIP BEAUTY PAGEANT - Preliminary Event
Colleton Civic Center - 494 Hampton Street
Saturday, April 6th, first division at 10:00am
This event is directed by Katelyn Barwick who says, “The contest includes numerous categories including beauty, which is the younger girls wearing a short dress, the older girls wearing a long evening gown. We have fun fashion, which lets the girls come on stage and show off their personality. In addition, we have prettiest hair, eyes, smile, color photogenic, black and white photogenic. We have the sweetheart award which is where they can raise money for extra awards and to ride on the float in the parade and we have people’s choice. “
The pageant also has a scholarship, “This will be the fourth year we’re doing a scholarship. This year, we have named it, The Carter Green Scholarship to honor her memory. Carter Green was a rice festival princess from our 2023 Pageant. This scholarship is being awarded to the Miss Division winner, which is the 16- to 18-year-old girls.“
TASTE OF WALTERBORO - Preliminary Event
Walterboro Wildlife Center - 100 S. Jefferies Boulevard
Tuesday, April 23rd from 6:00pm-8:00pm
Indulge in a variety of delicious dishes prepared by local chefs, bakers and vendors. This is a fantastic opportunity to savor the flavors of our community while enjoying the beautiful surroundings of Downtown Walterboro. This is a 21+ event.
Tickets are currently for sale on Eventbrite and are $25 per person until April 19th at midnight. Online ticket sales will end after this date, but tickets will be available at the door for $30 on the day of the event. This ticket includes all food, beer and wine offered at the event as well as raffle tickets for door prizes.
MAIN FESTIVAL
Hampton Street
Friday and Saturday from 9:00am-5:00pm
100+ vendors will line Hampton Street showcasing unique arts, crafts, and other items for sale. These vendors will also include non-profit organizations and business sponsors. Featured street vendors are:
The Largest Pot of Rice
Prepared by the Walterboro Civitans! Sales from this booth benefit the projects, scholarships and charitable donations this group continuously gives back to the community, especially the less fortunate and those with special needs.
Fake-a-Face
Trish Daniels and her crew turn little festival-goers into the prettiest of princesses and the scariest of monsters with their unique face painting!
Silhouettes by Luke
This year’s t-shirt designer, silhouette artist Luke Mixson will be on-site with his great-uncle John Martin cutting silhouettes live! Family Fun Zone
Hosted by Community Innovations: a program that gives adolescents guidance to influence choices young people make to help them become caring, responsible adults.
The Rice Festival information tent is located in front of City Hall, and is where festival t-shirts will be sold. T-shirts may be purchased in advance by visiting our website, www.ricefestival.org.
THE FOOD COURT
City Parking lot between E. Washington Street and Hampton Street
Friday and Saturday from 10:00am-9:00pm.
We are proud to present our biggest and most diverse food court to date! We have rice, seafood, soulfood, pizza, smashburgers, ribs, BBQ, fried chicken, french fries, sausage dogs, tacos, hot dogs, sausage dogs, corndogs, ice cream, cake & sweet treats, funnel cakes, cotton candy, coffee & waffles, snowcones, Jamaican cuisine, Italian cuisine, Asian cuisine - you name it!
KIDS CARNIVAL
Lot behind City Utility Building
Friday 12:00pm-9:00pm | Saturday 10:00am-9:00pm
Family Fun Tyme provides fun rides for all ages and your favorite carnival treats! Ride tickets and/or all-day wristbands are available.
MAIN STAGE ENTERTAINMENT
Stage across from City Hall
Friday and Saturday (schedule below)
Friday
1:00pm Bee City Animal Exhibit
2:00pm Pink and Purple Boutique Fashion Show
3:00pm Colleton Children’s Theater
4:00pm Pound Fitness Demonstration
Saturday
12:30pm Rice Festival Queens
1:00pm Jason Lee Cook
2:00pm Square Dance Demonstration
3:00pm Walker Taylor
FLIPPENOUT TRAMPOLINE SHOW
Food Court
Friday and Saturday at 2:00, 4:00 and 6:00pm
NEW THIS YEAR! World class athletes bring heart pounding entertainment with a trampoline wall show featuring huge stunts and high jumps!
PERFECTION ON WHEELS BMX SHOW
Colleton County Courthouse - Hampton Street
Friday and Saturday at 1:00, 3:00 and 5:00pm
Back by popular demand! The BMX Stunt Pros from Perfection on Wheels put on an exciting show with high-flying jumps, flips and tricks!
THE SWINGIN’ MEDALLIONS CONCERT
Walterboro Wildlife Center Amphitheater
Friday from 6:00pm-8:30pm
The Swingin’ Medallions are an American beach music group from Greenwood, South Carolina that will put your shaggin’ shoes to work!
Beer and wine will be sold. A 21+ event. General admission is $10 per person through Eventbrite. Reserved VIP tables are available.
PRTC RICE RUN 5K & 1 MILE FUN RUN
Start Line: Corner of W. Washington St. and Klein St.
Saturday
Registration starts at 6:30am-7:45am
5K and 1 Mile start simultaneously at 8:00am
5K: A scenic 3.1 mile race through a quaint, downtown neighborhood and Walterboro Wildlife Sanctuary. The course starts with a gradual incline, turns into a winding nature trail followed by a few rolling hills, and ends with a flat decline.
Trophies for top 3 age group winners and CASH prizes for overall top 3 males and females. Each participant will receive a t-shirt and a finisher medal.
1 Mile: For all ages, runners and walkers — the Fun Run is just that — for FUN! It is not a race, so no placements or individual awards will be given. Each participant will receive a t-shirt and a finisher medal.
CAR SHOW
Walterboro Wildlife Center Parking Lot
Saturday
Registration 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM | Awards at 12:00 PM
The car show is hosted by Pharoahs Car Club. This event includes a 50/50 Raffle and Door Prizes as well as awards for: Participant Judging, Best in Show and 10 Top Picks. $20 day-of registration only. All proceeds benefit FoCCAS!
PARADE
Jefferies Boulevard
Saturday at 11:00am
This annual event starts on Jefferies Boulevard at Detreville Street and continues down Jefferies to Forest Hills Road (by Cooper Chevrolet), then turns left and ends at Ivanhoe Shopping Center.
BALLOON ARTIST
Colleton County Courthouse (corner of Hampton and S. Walter St.)
Saturday from 12:00pm to 4:00pm
Red Robyn balloons will be creating fun balloon animals for FREE!
CITADEL CLUB DUCK RACE
Ireland Creek
Saturday at 1:00pm
ndraiser Duck Race! 500 ducks are available for purchase: $20 Each or 3 for $50. Contact any club member to purchase ducks!
4 Cash Prizes: 1st Place: $1,000; 2nd Place: $750; 3rd Place: $500; Last Place: $100
*All ducks must cross the finish line without assistance. Go to their event page on Facebook for more information.
DOG SHOW
Saturday
Location and time TBD
$5 entry fee per dog, per category. Must bring proof of current rabies vaccination. All proceeds benefit Colleton County Animal Shelter. Categories include: Best Dressed, Best Look Alike (owner and dog), Best Trick, Golden Oldie (7+ years), Colleton Special (best mixed breed), Classiest Purebred, Prettiest Pup (1 year or under), Best shelter/rescue, Best In Show (Judge’s Choice Award) 1st, 2nd and 3rd.
CORNHOLE TOURNAMENT
Ivanhoe Cinemas Parking Lot
Saturday at 3:00pm
This is a 30 team double elimination tournament with 2 player teams - BYO partner. Cash prizes awarded to the top 3 teams: 1st - $400, 2nd - $200, 3rd - $100.
THE MIGHTY KICKS CONCERT
Walterboro Wildlife Center Amphitheater - FREE
Saturday from 7:00pm-9:30pm
The Mighty Kicks! began in 1986 when a group of friends from Orangeburg, S.C., started an air band, the rage at the time, and proceeded to win contests across the region. They were all musicians, and eventually started a “real” band, calling it the Kicks! The band began to earn name recognition throughout the Southeast, performing for large festivals and private events from Georgia to Washington, D.C. The Mighty Kicks! are guaranteed to be a good time!
PLUS bring the family and watch the firework finale right overhead!
FIREWORK FINALE
Saturday at 9:00pm
Cap off a fun-filled weekend with this vibrant firework show presented by Genesis Healthcare. Prime viewing locations: Ivanhoe Parking Lot, Hargo Hill, Walterboro Wildlife Center Amphitheater - Mighty Kicks Performing, Downtown Walterboro.
GOLF TOURNAMENT - Post Event
Dogwood Hills Golf Course
1 Dogwood Lane, Walterboro SC
Sunday, April 28th
Arrive by 8:00am | Tee off at 9:00am
This is an 18-hole, captain’s choice tournament with 2 man teams. The cost is $60 per player to enter. Prizes for 1st, 2nd, 3rd, Closest to the Pin, and Longest Drive.
For more information on all events, including applications, visit www.RiceFestival.org. For timely event updates as the festival approaches, follow us on social media!
