43rd Annual SC Sweet Potato Festival Returns to Downtown Darlington October 10
Food, shopping, live entertainment, classic cars and plenty of family fun will fill downtown Darlington on Saturday, October 10, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., as the Pilot Club of Darlington hosts the 43rd Annual South Carolina Sweet Potato Festival.
A longtime Darlington tradition, this year’s festival will feature more than 140 vendors offering everything from delicious food and drinks to clothing, jewelry, soaps, pet items, housewares, home décor and handcrafted items. Community organizations and other local-interest vendors will also be on hand throughout the day.
Opening Ceremonies begin at 10 a.m., when the Pilot Club of Darlington will present its 2026 Caregiver Award, Pilot Ambassador recognition and Pilot of the Year, honoring individuals whose service reflects the spirit and mission of Pilot.
Live entertainment will continue throughout the day on the Main Stage, featuring the Pate Elementary School Chorus, Carolina Elite Force, Ronnie Anderson, Thorn Huntley and Stan Thompson, Brenda Cranford School of Dance, Gracie Smith, Dorian Mathis as Elvis, and John Pickett.
Local favorite DJ Dan E. Lockamy will serve as emcee for the day’s entertainment and festivities.
No Sweet Potato Festival would be complete without the Pilot Club’s famous funnel cakes, and this year some familiar faces will be joining the fun on the front line as “Celebrity Shakers.”
Scheduled special guests include State Senator JD Chaplin; Darlington County Sheriff Michael August; Darlington City Councilwoman Angela McRavin; Darlington City Councilman Bryant Gardner; Darlington Raceway President Josh Harris; Curry Belk; Darlington High School Head Football Coach Jamie Johnson; Genesis Healthcare Director of Development Howard Nettles; and City of Darlington Main Street Liaison Dyan Cohen.
Festivalgoers can stop by, grab a funnel cake and see who is shaking the powdered sugar when they visit.
The festival’s popular Car Show will return this year, hosted by the Upper Pee Dee Fellowship of Christian Athletes and the Red Fox Rollers. With the theme “Cars and Trucks Through the Ages,” the show will stretch along Cashua Street and feature vehicles representing generations of automotive history.
Mahjong players can get in on the fun this year as well. The Pilot Club will host Taters & Tiles Open Play Mahjong at The Market on Pearl. Proceeds from the event will benefit Happy’s Place playground at Trinity Methodist Church, adding another opportunity for festival fun to make an impact right here in Darlington.
One of the most exciting additions to the 2026 festival is the newly expanded Tater Patch, a dedicated children’s area made possible with financial support from the City of Darlington and Darlington County.
Located at the end of Pearl Street near Trinity Methodist Church and The Grand Old Post Office, the Tater Patch will offer an entire area of entertainment and activities designed especially for children and families.
Best of all, every Tater Patch activity is completely free.
Children can visit Pint Size Pasture, featuring 10–12 animals to pet and feed; watch Todd’s Twisted Balloons create balloon art; enjoy the antics of That Hartsville Bubble Guy; have their faces painted by Cindy Munn; explore the Touch-a-Truck Area; and stop for a picture at the Fall Family Photo Op.
The Tater Patch will also feature a full lineup of amusements, including the Human Catapult, Extreme Twirler, Toddler Bumper Cars, Toddler Park Zoo, Inflatable Bouncer, Mega Slide, Jumbo Soccer & Axe Darts, and Ex-Terrestrial Challenge.
By providing the entire Tater Patch free of charge, the Pilot Club hopes families can come downtown, spend the day together and allow their children to enjoy the attractions without the cost that often accompanies family entertainment.
While the Sweet Potato Festival brings thousands of people together for a day of fun, its impact extends far beyond festival day.
The festival is the Pilot Club of Darlington’s major annual fundraiser, and proceeds allow the club to invest back into the community throughout the year.
Pilot International’s mission is to influence positive change in communities throughout the world by bringing people together in friendship and providing an outlet for service. Pilot’s work focuses on preparing young adults for service, encouraging brain safety and health, and supporting those who care for others.
In Darlington, that mission translates into direct support for local organizations, programs and families. Festival proceeds help the Pilot Club support the City of Darlington Fire Department Toy Drive, Kid’s Clothing Closet, One Child at a Time, Trent Hill Center for Children and Families, and Project Lifesaver through the Darlington County Fire Department, along with other community initiatives and service projects throughout the year.
In short, the money raised during one fun-filled day in October helps the Pilot Club serve the Darlington community all year long.
The Pilot Club of Darlington recognizes that an event of this size—and particularly the ability to provide activities such as the Tater Patch at no charge—would not be possible without community support.
The club extends its appreciation to the City of Darlington and Darlington County, as well as the many businesses and organizations supporting the 2026 festival, including Duke Energy; Darlington Raceway; Raceway Ford & Chevrolet; Sonoco through Central Carolina Community Foundation; Wilson Senior Care; Dedicated Community Bank; Consolidated Electrical Distributors; Squatch Dumping, LLC; Kistler-Hardee Funeral Home; Dumpster Pros of the Pee Dee; SPC Credit Union; Florence Center; Bill Moore, Jr. – State Farm; A & J Firearms; NUCOR; MPDC; Edward Jones – Nancy Matthews; Darlington Veneer; Belk Funeral Home; Haniford’s Used Parts; Palmetto Mining Company LLC; and Delta Building Systems.
From funnel cakes and live music to classic cars, shopping, mahjong and an entire children’s area filled with free activities, the 43rd Annual South Carolina Sweet Potato Festival promises something for every member of the family.
The festival will be held Saturday, October 10, from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. in downtown Darlington. Come hungry, bring the family and plan to spend the day celebrating 43 years of community, tradition and service.