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
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)
2023 Sweet TEE Golf Outing
Friday, September 22, 2023 (Noon Tee Time)
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
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Individual craft, artisans, businesses, specialty foods and food truck vendors will have the opportunity to apply for vendor spaces.
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Application does NOT guarantee participation.
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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.
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All applicants will be notified and those selected will be provided with a set of follow-up procedures associated with corresponding deadlines.
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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
info@summervilledream.org