The SC Pecan Music and Food Festival (formerly known as the SC Pecan Festival) is growing. You might even say it’s breaking out of its shell. Since its inception in 2003, the festival has evolved from a quaint, quirky celebration of the beloved crop — which plays a big role in southern cuisine, despite being native to the western states — to a premier food and music event, with a variety of food trucks, arts and crafts vendors and as many as nine different stages. But don’t worry, there’s still plenty of old-fashioned pecan pie.
The one-day-only SC Pecan Music and Food Festival transforms the sleepy town of Florence into a cloud of sweet-smelling smoke as pecan roasters share the streets with funnel cake fryers and corn dog stands. Meanwhile, a pecan cook-off gives home chefs a chance to enter their work into a competition. Seven blocks of Florence are commandeered to give the many performers room to play, some of whom are magicians, dancers and pony trainers dedicated to keeping young ones entertained. Musicians are separated by genre, but most fall into the blues, jazz or gospel categories.
As if that wasn’t enough, one wing of the festival grounds hosts a classic car show, and another area showcases the talents of ARCY, a muralist who intends to complete an entire mural over the course of the day. So yeah, it’s going to be nuts.
The Specs
- The festival draws over 50,000 attendees every year
- Admission is free, although some attractions, such as pony rides, charge fees
- Curious which strip of South Carolina coastline made our list of the most underrated beaches in America? And here’s our guide to the state.
FAQs
Which airport is closest to the festival grounds?
Myrtle Beach International Airport (MYR) is 67 miles away
What is the bag policy?
There is no official bag policy
Is the festival ADA accessible?
Free accessible parking is available on all sides of the festival grounds
Which artists are on the festival lineup?
Level 10 Band, The Tonez, Barracuda, The Family Stone, The Boomerz, Ziavino and C.O.T. Band, The Finesse Band, 20-Ride, Todd Amerson Ministries, Marty Gamble and Voices of Chronicles, John Pickett, Rhapsody Praise, TC Smith and the Smith Brothers, The Sensational Brown Brothers, DJ VooDoo Child, Age of the Fall, Sultre Mix, DAZR, Mr. Alexx, Tonya Mormon & Friends, Mark Rapp Jazz, Shrimp City Slim, Big John Hartness and Juke Joint Johnny, John Long, Eugene Hideaway Bridges, Skyla Burrell, Chi Omega Delta Steppers, School of Dance Arts, Saidi Friends Dance Troupe, Golden Divine Dancers, South Florence High School & Southside Middle School Dancers, Soul Sisters Dance Team, Major Varsity, FMU Cheerleaders, Alpha Elite Athletics, St. Anthony’s Middle School Choir, Athletic Cheer Force, Kelley’s Fine Arts Dancers, Driven by Dance, Johnny and Sharon Tanner, Caleb + Kaden, and Preston Duffee.
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