The 34th Annual SC BBQ Shag Festival kicks off on Thursday, March 21, at the recreation park and ball fields in Hemingway. This year the festival runs from March 21-24. The four-day event features music, vendors, BBQ and fun for the whole family. First held in 1987, the event has grown to attract thousands to the small town of Hemingway every year.
Festival rides start on Thursday this year and are open from 5pm-until.
On Friday night there will be a shag dance contest where dance partners can compete for a $100 grand prize, and the Bailey Road Band will perform their mix of southern rock, country and beach music. Teams will compete for the “Anything that is not BBQ” cookoff at 7:30pm. Friday night wraps with a fireworks show in honor of the military.
Saturday’s festivities include the annual Car Show presented by Palmetto Cruisers from 9am-3pm, rides 10am-until, and free face panting 12pm-6pm. The festival welcomes the That Hartsville Bubble Guy this year, as well as the Golden Divine Divas dance team. There will be a petting zoo, rides, and vendors, as well as a twist dance competition for kids and adults. SC BBQ Shag Festival Beauty Pageant winners will take the stage in the afternoon. The pageant was held on Saturday, March 16.
The main event is the Marion “Woody” Curtis BBQ Cook-off competition, named after former festival committee member and head of the cook-off who passed from cancer in 2017. Prizes for this year’s competition will be $5,000 for first place; $2,000 for second place; and $1,000 for third place chosen by a judging panel. The festival wraps with the BBQ cookoff winner announcements on Saturday around 6:00pm. Musician Josh Brannon will take the stage 3-6pm.
On Sunday, festival rides will continue from 1pm-6pm. There will be no vendors on the last day.
Tickets and all-day wrist bands for amusement rides are available for purchase at the festival. Parking is available in a field adjacent to the festival. To sign up for the cookoff visit the website at scbbqshagfestival.com/cookoff. There is also still time for crafters to sign up. Stay tuned to the festival Facebook page for updates at Facebook.com/southcarolinabbqshagfestival.
