SC SWEET POTATO FESTIVAL
The longest-running festival in Darlington County (since 1983), the SC Sweet Potato Festival now attracts audiences of over 17,000 people. Attractions include games for the children, crafts, music, live entertainment, a car show and plenty of food, including sweet potato pie! Sponsored by the Pilot Club of Darlington. Admission is free. Held the second Saturday in October each year on the Public Square in downtown Darlington. For a vendor application, click here, or call Ruth Flowers at (843) 393-3526.
SHOWTIME 500 RACE WEEKEND
This is the Mother of all races at the Granddaddy of all tracks. The Royal Purple 200, a Busch Series stock car race, is held on the Friday before Mother’s Day. Nextel Cup drivers take the track for the Showtime 500 on Saturday evening, under the lights. For ticket information and hours, contact Darlington Raceway at (843) 395-8499 or toll-free 1-866-459-RACE. Located at 1301 Harry Byrd Highway (on SC 151 just west of US 52), Darlington.
DARLINGTON RACEWAY CAR HAULER PARADE AND RACEFEST ON THE SQUARE
Held the Thursday before Mother’s Day in anticipation of the stock car races at Darlington Raceway, ~ 25 stock car haulers from the NASCAR Busch Series, leave at 7:30PM from the Florence Civic Center, then parade along US Highway 52 to downtown Darlington. A festival follows on the Public Square, with food and souvenir vendors, a car show, a racing simulator and a fireworks display.