2 Oct Sweet Potato Festival to celebrate Revolutionary War history, traditions on Nov. 15 During the American Revolutionary War, the sweet potato was a staple crop that sustained soldiers and the public, and it remains an important part of South Carolina’s Hammock Coast’s® regional identity today. To celebrate the history and tradition of the sweet potato, the Georgetown County 250 Committee, the county’s local initiative under the statewide South Carolina 250 Commission and the national America 250 umbrella, will hold a Sweet Potato Festival on Saturday, Nov. 15, 2026. It will be held from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at Hasty Point Plantation in the beautiful and scenic western part of Georgetown County. Join us for the Sweet Potato Festival, a celebration that showcases the significance of sweet potatoes in our local heritage. The Sweet Potato Festival will feature a variety of activities that highlight the importance of sweet potatoes in our culture. With a sweet potato pie contest, tea tastings, children’s activities, and artisans, the event will also feature living history demonstrations and storytelling by Revolutionary War re-enactors. It’s all part of Georgetown County’s work as it gears up to celebrate, along with the rest of the nation, to celebrate America’s 250th birthday on July 4, 2026. A sweet potato pie contest will be the signature event during the Sweet Potato Festival at Hasty Point Plantation. (Photo provided by GC250) Make sure to mark your calendars for the Sweet Potato Festival, where history and flavor converge. Join the conversation about the impact of sweet potatoes at the Sweet Potato Festival. “Visitors will learn about the lives of both soldiers and enslaved people and will see how traditional crops like sweet potatoes and indigo tie our past to our present,” said organizer Pelor Richardson, who is a member of the Georgetown County 250 Committee. “Families can also enjoy hands-on workshops, storytelling, children’s activities, and cultural presentations that highlight the diversity of our heritage.” Richardson would like to encourage everyone to see this festival as more than just a one-day event. “It is the beginning of a tradition that lifts our shared history, educates our youth, and brings our community together,” she said. “We invite all residents and visitors to come, learn, celebrate, and help us carry this story forward for generations to come.” Richardson explained that this year the event will focus on the untold story of Oscar, the enslaved personal servant of Gen. Francis Marion, the “Swamp Fox.” At the Sweet Potato Festival, explore the historical significance of this beloved crop. The Sweet Potato Festival is an opportunity to celebrate our shared heritage and traditions. “Oscar’s story reminds us that the Revolution wasn’t won by generals alone—but by the lives, labor, and resilience of people too often left out of history,” she said. Francis Marion, known as the “Swamp Fox,” played a pivotal role in the American Revolutionary War as a militia leader in South Carolina. He’s most famous for pioneering guerrilla-warfare tactics that significantly disrupted British operations in the South. The Sweet Potato Festival will also feature demonstrations on how to prepare traditional dishes using sweet potatoes. Oscar was an enslaved African man who served Francis Marion throughout the war and likely before and after it. He accompanied Marion on campaigns and reportedly performed vital support roles such as serving as a cook and personal servant, acting as a scout or messenger, and helping maintain equipment and supplies. Of course, one of his favorite staples for cooking was the sweet potato. This rendering shows Francis Marion and his enslaved servant named Oscar serving sweet potatoes. (Photo provided by GC250) Celebrating Georgetown County’s Role in the Revolution Chartered by the South Carolina General Assembly in 2019, the SC 250 Commission works to commemorate the American Revolution across the state by promoting the people, principles, and pivotal events that shaped South Carolina’s path to independence. Georgetown County, known as South Carolina’s Hammock Coast®, has deep Revolutionary roots and plays a critical role in that story. Attend workshops at the Sweet Potato Festival to learn new ways to cook with sweet potatoes. As part of the national America 250 initiative — a nonpartisan effort that invites all Americans to reflect on our past and envision our future — GC250 is helping carry out that vision on a local level. The committee’s goals include not only honoring history, but also boosting cultural heritage tourism, supporting economic development and strengthening community pride. Support local artisans at the Sweet Potato Festival who create unique sweet potato-inspired crafts. Children will have a blast with activities related to the Sweet Potato Festival, designed just for them! “This is about more than the past,” said Ken Baeszler, chairman of the GC250 Executive Committee. “It’s about continuing to build the future together. And what better time than now?” Experience the community spirit at the Sweet Potato Festival, where everyone can enjoy food, fun, and history. The mission of Georgetown County 250 is clear: to educate, engage and inspire residents and visitors by connecting them to the people, places and events of the American Revolution in Georgetown County. From Revolutionary War heroes to unsung figures who helped shape the course of local history, Georgetown 250 is committed to telling the full story — and ensuring it is accessible to all. Join us for engaging activities at the Sweet Potato Festival that uplift and educate. Recent events have included a symbolic tea dumping in Georgetown Harbor, echoing the Boston Tea Party, and Francis Marion Living History Day, which brought Revolutionary War reenactors to historic Georgetown. These events serve both to educate and to unite — but they are just the beginning. GC250 is organizing events, building partnerships and calling on residents from every corner of the county — and every walk of life — to be part of this once-in-a-generation commemoration. The Sweet Potato Festival promises to be a memorable experience for all ages. GC250 has held many events celebrating the American Revolution, including this Francis Marion Living History Day. Above, an artist talks with attendees about his Francis Marion artwork. (Photo by Clayton Stairs/Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce) “This isn’t just a history lesson — it’s a celebration of who we are, where we’ve come from, and where we’re going,” Baeszler said. “Our country was founded on the idea that people from all backgrounds could come together to build something greater. Georgetown County 250 is about capturing that spirit and making sure every community has a voice in this story.” The Sweet Potato Festival will be a highlight of the year, bringing together families and friends. Moving forward, the committee is focused on expanding its reach and broadening participation. “A lot of our early events attracted history buffs,” Baeszler explained. “But we also want to bring in new voices — especially from communities that haven’t always been included in how we tell history.” For example, the 250 Committee is developing new events aimed at highlighting African-American contributions to the fight for independence. And it wants to invite more residents into the conversation. “This is a countywide celebration,” said Baeszler. “We want people from Plantersville to Pawleys Island, from Andrews to Murrells Inlet — every community, every background — to see themselves in this moment.” The Sweet Potato Festival honors the Revolutionary War history of Georgetown County and the vital role sweet potatoes played in local cuisine. Experience the Sweet Potato Festival’s Unique Heritage Vendors at the Sweet Potato Festival will showcase their unique sweet potato products and culinary creations. How to get Involved At the Sweet Potato Festival, we encourage everyone to explore the diverse ways sweet potatoes have been used throughout history. Georgetown 250 welcomes new members and volunteers. There is no fee to join. To learn more and view upcoming meetings and events, visit the GC250 website. The committee welcome volunteers, sponsors, and community partners to help make the festival a success. Volunteers can assist with hospitality, registration, parking, and children’s activities. Local businesses and organizations can also participate as vendors, sponsors, or educational exhibitors. Anyone who wants to contribute their time, talent, or resources has a place in this celebration. Hasty Point is located at 773 Hasty Point Drive, Georgetown. For more information about GC250, click here. By Clayton Stairs / tourism manager for the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce and South Carolina’s Hammock Coast® 0 Hammock-All, Georgetown
