The Lexington Medical Center’s Irmo Okra Strut Festival has been an annual event for 47 of the last 48 years. It has only been interrupted by the Coronavirus pandemic last year.
What started as a way for the Lake Murray-Irmo Woman’s Club to raise money for a new library, has turned into a two-day event featuring a Friday evening street dance, a Saturday morning parade, plus arts and crafts; rides and amusements; live bands and entertainment on Saturday as well as lots of festival food.
Attendance for the celebration averages around 25,000. Money raised by the festival is put back into the community through charitable contributions to local civic and school organizations, for scholarships and improvements of public areas. Admission to the event is free.
This year’s musical headliners will be The Finesse Band with Terence Young Friday night and Sister Hazel Saturday night. Opening for The Finesse band will be American Idol Winner Candice Glover. Saturday’s opening act will be TikTok Star Cooper Alan.
COVID-19 safety protocols will be in effect. Wearing face masks and maintaining social distancing are strongly encouraged. Volunteers will be walking the event handing out face masks and reminding attendees about safety protocols. There will also be hand sanitation stations throughout the event.
The Okra Strut Festival is hosted by the Town of Irmo and is managed by the town council and the Okra Strut Commission. Throughout the Festival, there will be performers around the park. For more information visit okrastrut.com.
