summerville sweet tea festival

Celebrate the birthplace of sweet tea!

    Saturday, September 23, 2023 2p-7p

    Event highlights listed on this page

    Hutchinson Square, SC

    2023 Sweet Tea Vendor Application Closed

    sponsor
    piggy tea

    Details

    The Sweet Tea Festival is a celebration of the birthplace of sweet tea, right here in Summerville SC.  Our Historic Downtown is transformed into a massive open house / street fair with different food trucks, artisanal vendors and entertainment.  Of course, there is plenty of sweet tea and you can help select the Tea of the Year by sampling and voting for your favorite! 

    Enjoy the Fest and Stay for the Downtown 

    Historic Downtown Summer is everything you imagine a small town to be.  It’s filled with quaint shops, historic buildings, creative boutiques and world class restaurants. 

    Our business owners and their staff represent true southern hospitality with remarkable customer service and genuine care for all that visit.  Everyone feels as if they have been transported to a special place and time.  Come find out why … “it’s sweeter here 

    Sweetest Sidewalk Sale

    Saturday, Sept 16, 2023 (10a-6p)

    Shop our local boutiques, eclectic shops and restaurants throughout Historic Downtown Summerville for the one of a kind special item, gift or fine cuisine.

    Sweetest Farmers Market

    Saturday, Sept 16, 2023 (8a-1p)

    The Summerville Farmers Market features over 70 vendors which include farmers, artisans, and specialty foods. Grab your coffee, breakfast, home decor and veggies all in one place!

    Hold My Tea Bar Crawl & Sweet Tea Cocktail Contest

    September 18th – 22, 2023

    Ten bars are competing in the Summerville Sweet Tea Cocktail Contest. You get to explore various venues and indulge in the entries of Summerville’s most talented bartenders! Vote for your favorite during the 6-day long Hold My Tea Bar Crawl.

    Sweetest Third Thursday EVER!

    Thursday, September 21, 2023  (5:30p-8:30p)

    Join us as we celebrate the Sweetest Third Thursday ever. Bring your favorite people, and celebrate this wonderful community with local artisans, crafters, merchants, and food! 

    2023 Sweet TEE Golf Outing

    Friday, September 22, 2023  (Noon Tee Time) 

    Golf outing to support Summerville DREAM mission to improve small business opportunities & entepreneur development. 

    2023 Sweet Tea Contest

    Saturday, Sept 23, 2023 (2p – until supplies last)

    Free no purchase necessary and while supplies last.

    • Pick up your ballot at the DREAM vendor booth on West Richardson.
    • Tea is positioned at multiple merchant and vendor locations, you can sample 3oz of tea – see map below and look for “Tea Contest” sign posted.
    • Select the BEST OF THE FEST and return ballot to DREAM tent located on West Richardson.
    • Awards announced at the end of the festival and posted on social media.

    Southern Songwriter Festival

    Thursday, Sept 21 – Saturday, Sept 23, 2023
    Over 40 different songwriters preforming at various venues throughout Historic Downtown Summerville. Featured stages, Songwriters Alley on Short Central and Headliner performance at Public Works Art Center. Scan the QR Code on the poster for more details.

    2022

    Best Sweet Tea Contest Winner

    Sweetwater123&123Etc.

    West Richardson Summerville, SC 

    Best Sweet Tea Contest!

    2pm – while supplies last

    2023 Contest Participants

    DOTY

    1.Nina Belles Boutique- Merchant

    2.LaSon Anchor Grill- Food Truck

    3.Farmer’s Daughter- Food Truck

    LITTLE MAIN

    4.Ewenique Astrid- Vendor Booth

    5.32 Degrees North- Vendor Booth

    6.The Carousel Boutique- Vendor Booth

    7.The Mason Team- Vendor Booth

    8.James Browns Famous Boiled Peanuts- Vendor Booth

    WEST RICHARDSON

    9.Fed Up Truck- Food Truck

    10.Edisto & Co Coffee- Food Truck

    11.Sweetwater One Twenty-Three &123 Etc.- Restaurant

    12.Montreux Bar and Grill-Restaurant

    13.Johnson and Wilson Real Estate Company- Merchant

    14.The Gathering- Restaurant

    SHORT CENTRAL

    15.Four Green Fields Gifts- Merchant

    16.Beautiful Savior Lutheran Church- Vendor Booth

    17.Simple Treasures- Merchant

    General Safety and Event Housekeeping

    Dogs and animals at the Fest

    The Sweet Tea Festival host thousands of neighbors and community guests. For the health and safety of your pets and participants we strongly recommend that they do not attend the festival.

    Please note you are required to follow all laws associated with animal care and responsible for property damage and personal injury.

    Police are vigilant throughout the festival. They are there to assist with public safety, please alert Summerville Police of any safety concerns.

    Street Closures and Parking

    Festival permitted area includes:

    • Doty from 100 S. Main to Main Street
    • Little Main
    • West Richardson from Main to Central
    • Short Central

    Parking around the event zone is limited. Please make sure you are prepared to park several blocks away.

    Handicap Assistance

    There are several handicap porta-potties positioned throughout the fest. Handicap parking is in the Town of Summerville garage and scattered throughout the downtown area, however, please make sure you are prepared to park several blocks away.

    Sweet Tea Vendor Information

    Vendor Applications open in June

    • Individual craft, artisans, businesses, specialty foods and food truck vendors will have the opportunity to apply for vendor spaces.

    • Application does NOT guarantee participation.

    • The Sweet Tea Festival Committee will review all applications and selection is based on uniqueness, past sweet tea fest experience, tea contest, community partner status, and festival footprint.

    • All applicants will be notified and those selected will be provided with a set of follow-up procedures associated with corresponding deadlines.

    • Please note the application dates, rules/regulations, and deadlines. Additionally, please review all fees and DREAM Community Partnership requirements.

    Check out our Facebook page for more information

    Phone

    (843) 821-7260

    Location

    100 S. Main St suite "H" 
    Summerville, SC 29483

    Email

    info@summervilledream.org