Summerville's Flowertown Festival 2024 and A Lot More

Summerville is at present shimmering in a sea of magnificent multitudinous masses of magenta. It is the annual azalea bloom putting on its best dress for the upcoming Flowertown Festival hosted in Summerville's Azalea Park.

The flowers are the official doorkeepers of spring greeting all to the celebration of warmer days. Drive anywhere on the streets in the town's historic district between Central Ave. and S. Main and you will be convinced Summerville is rightfully crowned the "Flower Town in the Pines."

Rightfully called the "Flower Town in the Pines" because Summerville is also famous for its pine trees, but unfortunately, the pollen bloom that rains down from its branches when the weather warms is not enthusiastically embraced with happy celebration like the azaleas. With that being said, pine trees and azaleas are a perfect collaboration because azaleas grow well in their shadows.

The varieties of azaleas are as bounteous as its blooms thanks to hybridizing, or crossbreeding. They are native to North America, so it is likely they greeted our arriving ancestors in some form. All North American species are deciduous, meaning they drop their leaves. The evergreen varieties come from Japan where they can be hundreds of years old. 

The azaleas that helped make Summerville famous are most likely the non-native variety. The first hybrids were planted in Charleston, South Carolina. John Grimke Drayton imported the Azalea Indica from Philadelphia where they were grown only in greenhouses by a nurseryman who also had a branch nursery in Charleston, and introduced them into the estate gardens of his rice plantation on the Ashley River. Marie Clinton Hastie wrote about the beginnings of her grandfather's garden, "it was somewhere in the mid 1840s that the Azalea Indica was introduced to Magnolia." His garden was the first in America to plant azaleas outdoors.

In 1932, Grange Cuthbert became the mayor of Summerville. He came up with the plan to take some of the land deeded to Summerville by the "Civic League" between Central Avenue and Magnolia Street and turn it into a mid-town paradise. George Segelken, a pioneer in azalea propagation, entered the picture. Thanks to his generosity Summerville became the place to see these prolific plants in all their abundant glory in 1935. People came from all over to view the lush beauty of the town's Azalea Park. Segelken named the salmon pink colored azalea "Pride of Summerville." The park is the predominant venue of the Flowertown Festival.

The Flowertown Festival ranks as one of the largest festivals in the Southeast with an origin that goes back to 1973. The three-day festival also carries the well-deserved distinction as one of the Top 20 events in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society. One of the main features of this family-oriented festival centers on the promotion of arts and crafts. More than 200 craft artisans and vendors are given the opportunity to showcase their creative wares throughout Azalea Park.

The current festival was predated by a previous one in 1941, when Summerville celebrated the first Azalea Festival--a four-day event that included dances, concerts, a parade, and a formal ball. The festival promoted local business and celebrated the town's community pride, a pride as old as the trees. Summerville's rich history dates all the way back to the late 1600s.

Along with the Flowertown Festival, there will be The Southern Songwriter Festival--in collaboration with Summerville Dream, the Community Music Collective, and the Edisto Blackwater Boogie. 12 talented songwriters will perform in downtown Summerville on Short Central for a night of musical entertainment. It's free to the public, so bring a chair, the kids, and the pets. Time will be 6 pm to 10 pm.

Artists include: Sean Keefer, Lori Rinken, Scotty Oliver, Macy Crawford, Chris Rinken, Anna Crosby, Katie Lyon, Fleming Moore, Chris Roberts, Graham Whorley, Mark Yampolsky, and Dan Riley

If that is not enough, the 2024 Farmer's Market will begin on Saturday April 6, and will have extended hours of 8am-6pm. 

Well, that is Summerville—azaleas and the biggest festival in the Southeast. While visiting for the Flowertown Festival, when you see me walking around town be sure to say, "Hey." I am always interested in making new acquaintances.

Visit Summerville 

Summerville Dream

Third Thurday in Summerville: "The Wizard of Oz" Delights and Lots Of Fun For Summervillians

With all the thunderstorms lately, it's surprising nobodies house has gotten sucked up by a twister. July's edition of Third Thursday was to be no exception. Around 4pm the skies over Summerville were looking darkly ominous. But thunderstorms are pretty much routine in the Lowcountry this time of year, when the temperatures soar and the humidity spikes. Experienced residents take them in stride and know they come and go as quickly as you can say "Somewhere over the Rainbow". In fact, the James F. Dean Theater has issued a tornado warning for August 2nd and continuing to the 12th. "The Wizard of Oz" is expected to blow into town and when that happens, things will get wicked in more ways than the weather. There is a 100 per cent chance of a twister and somebodies house is going to get sucked up.

The Flowertown Players have been working hard to present what promises to be a delightfully entertaining show. The large cast, including a large group of local kids, have spent many hours learning their lines and choreography. The logistics involved in this musical production are challenging for the set designers, but they are proving themselves up to the task, and the rewards will be great for the audience. The numerous stage settings will whisk away to the Land of Oz and Munskinville putting you on the journey down the yellow brick road to the gates of the Emerald City. The cast made a preview appearance in full costume in Town Square and mingled among the Third Thursday crowd.

Dorothy and Tin Man

Cowardly Lion looking brave

Summerville's royalty, Bill Summers, was in court-the courtyard of Aura Lee's Jewelry, Handbags and Accessories to be more exact-handing out handshakes and Yuenglings. By the time my group arrived, all the Yuenglings were gone, supporting evidence Aura Lee's shop is a favorite Third Thursday stop. Bill was joined by Brad Mallett, owner of Coastal Coffee Roasters. Coastal Coffee Roasters has quickly become one of Summerville's busiest hot spots serving up their signature blend of roasted coffee accompanied by weekly scheduled events for your entertainment. If you have some musical talent, contact Brad and he will be happy to give you consideration. Danny Trump's amazing cheesecakes are also featured at Coastal Coffee along with craft beers and wines. Due to the scattered showers lingering around at the start, Chelsea Summers had to cut her usual Third Thursday singing appearance short at Aura Lee's. You can catch Chelsea performing at various venues around Summerville and surrounding areas. For a complete list of her appearances click on Chelsea Summers.

Bill Summers and friends

When we first arrived, our first stop was to be the Eclectic Chef on Short Central, but had to wait for the arrival of the rest of the party. We milled around the shops sipping on wine and eating pretzels provided by the various establishments, a tradition of Third Thursday. There was a man in the courtyard of Short Central, I didn't get his name, singing old tunes like "Garden Party" by Ricky Nelson. When we finally sat down to eat, the raindrops began to fall, but the umbrella on the table protected us-to some degree. My back got a slight soaking, especially when a certain someone would shake the umbrella.

Live entertainment

Kathy, Hanna, and Glen

White Gables well represented

Our planned, final destination for the evening was to be Accent on Wine. We were briefly sidetracked by some old vehicles on display at the end of the Town Square at W. Richardson. The temptation to take pictures of the old cars with someone posing next to them could not be resisted. Some dreams never fade. We pressed on. Accent on Wine was packed-no surprise. Filling an available stool immediately upon vacancy is a must. We chose the bar to sit at, the heart of the shoppe. Stephane filled the place with his usual humble smile, explaining wines and offering tips with a colorful French accent.

My attention was diverted to one of the wine advisers who was pouring a double mixture into a tall, slender glass. I inquired about it. Stephane informed, "If you are looking for something light and refreshing, the Belini is a good choice." The wine adviser, sporting a British accent, poured the mixture and I tried my first $3 Belini. I downed  the bubbly blend of champagne and peach schnapps while pondering this paradox: A Brit and a Frenchman behind the same bar. Miracles never cease to amaze. Time passes by quickly when you are sipping wine and making with the chit-chat, and that is what Accent on Wine is all about. There is no loud music in the background. Just the pleasant sound of laughter and friendly talk.

Keri living a dream

There will be one more last summer evening Third Thursday August 16th before the kids go back to school. Live music will be all over town and the usual Art Walk. The following Saturday, August 18th, Summerville's residents by the thousands will gather for the "Summerville Night at The Joe". There will be pre-game festivities to partake in and then watch the Riverdogs take on Augusta. August 25th will be the 13th annual "Race for the Ark". The 5K race is held in historic Summerville winding through its beautiful streets. It benefits the Ark services.

Spring Is In The Air-Summerville's Flowertown Festival

It's spring in Charleston and it's surrounding areas. Winter has come to an abrupt end. The warmer weather has brought residents out of hibernation and energized the flower buds in a big way. Not even the higher gas prices can put a damper on the festivities. Stiff upper lip and all that there such stuff. Oh well, can't do anything about it, so you might as well just go out and enjoy the activities.

Spring in Summerville brings something else in an abundance. Has all the green haze coating your cars and lawn furniture got you sneezing and wheezing? If it hasn't, you are one of the fortunate. Still, you are faced with the daunting task of combating the green wave and washing your car has become a daily ritual. The culprit is the numerous pine trees. It was all those pine trees growing in Summerville that made it world famous at the beginning to the 20th century. The International Congress of Physicians in 1899 proclaimed Summerville one of the two best places in the world for people suffering from lung disorders. The turpentine scent emitted by the pine trees was considered to be the cure for a variety of respiratory ailments.

Since, Summerville's popularity has grown and is now host to a nationally acclaimed festival called South Carolina's largest Arts & Crafts festival and named one of the Top 20 Events in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society. The event has become known as the Flowertown Festival and is scheduled for April 1-3. The family-oriented 3-day event is staged in Azalea Park. More than 200 craft artisans and vendors will display their creative wares throughout Azalea Park. Food vendors, live entertainment, a children's carnival, a tennis classic, and a tour of historic homes and gardens will ensure that everyone has something to do, see, or eat. Bring your cameras to record the fun. The azalea bloom should make for some colorful pictures.-Vacation Rick Travel

Other events in the area include:
Rockfest 2011-Apr 3, 1:00 pm, Exchange Park Fairground. Tickets
Cooper River Bridge Run-04/02/2011. To register for the Bridge Run, go to bridgerun.com.
Family Circle Cup-April 2-10, 2011
Festival of Houses and Gardens-March 17 - April 16