Summerville, South Carolina — Thousands of people are expected to flock to downtown Summerville this weekend for the annual Sweet Tea Festival, which town officials believe is boosting both community pride and economic prosperity.
The celebration, which celebrates Summerville’s claim to being the origin of sweet tea, often draws 16,000 to 18,000 people in just a few hours. Organizers believe the combination of live music, vendors, and local businesses distinguishes the town from others in the Lowcountry.
“There’s no doubt that Summerville is a destination. “Summerville was founded on hospitality,” said Steve Doniger, executive director of Summerville DREAM. “The festival draws a huge crowd. We average roughly 18,000 people during a five-hour period, and they come from all over.”
For restaurants and retailers, the surge of visitors represents a big increase. Many shop owners report that festivals like this introduce them to new clients, who frequently return long after the event has ended.
“It’s just nice to have the community come together and do this,” said Gina Masula, manager of the Icehouse restaurant. “Everybody’s in a good mood, and it brings more people to this area who might not otherwise know about us.”
Summerville’s annual Sweet Tea Bar Crawl, which originated in 2020 as a pandemic-era drink contest, precedes the festival. It has subsequently evolved into a weeklong event complete with Bingo cards, t-shirt rewards, and cocktail competitions. This year, twelve bars and restaurants will participate, allowing guests to discover new favorites while still supporting long-standing establishments. According to organizers, participation has virtually doubled each year, and local businesses profit from a consistent stream of customers who frequently return.
“I think the opportunity for visitors to come to town and experience what life would be like if they lived here is always a positive thing,” said Summerville Town Council member Scott Slatton. “It gives them a real flavor for what it’s like to live here, and then might convince them that they want to move at some point.”
As Summerville grows, authorities believe events like the Sweet Tea Festival help to balance the town’s small-town character with its rising population and business.
The Sweet Tea Festival is held Saturday in downtown Summerville and includes live entertainment, children’s activities, food vendors, and, of course, plenty of sweet tea!
