WHITMIRE — The Whitmire Jaycees will host the 29th annual Party in the Pines festival in downtown Whitmire through Saturday.
“We are the smallest town in the state of South Carolina that holds a three-day festival that features carnival rides, a parade, food and craft booths, live entertainment and street dancing,” said Christianna Gilliam, president of the Jaycees.
It kicked off Thursday evening at 6 p.m. with Gospel in the Streets which consisted of eight musical acts performing gospel on the Main Street stage.
Also beginning at 6 p.m., a traditional-style carnival set up by Palmetto Amusements will continue for all three nights. In addition to a variety of food and craft vendors. the Blood Connection will also be present until 9:30 collecting blood donations.
Headlining Friday night’s entertainment will be Grand Illusion set to take the stage at 7 p.m. and play until 11 p.m.
During breaks the Jaycees will crank up clean modern music and host line dances in the street.
Food vendors will again be set up along with a couple of artists — one selling custom airbrush T-shirts and the other creating personalized front plates.
As is tradition a parade will roll through Main Street on Saturday beginning at 4 p.m. and Gilliam encouraged anyone who wishes to take part to simply show up at 3 p.m. for the lineup along Broad Street by the car wash.
Following the parade’s conclusion the carnival will again be underway and live music will accompany the festivities with the party set to end at 11 p.m.
The Jaycees have sponsored the festival since its inception and all proceeds taken in each year go right back into the festival.
“The Jaycees love giving back to the community and helping to grow Whitmire,” Gilliam said.
Call the Whitmire Jaycees at 803-944-1116 or visit www.whitmirejaycees.com for more information.