Here are 12 of the best remaining SC summer festivals to try before the season ends

It is hot. It is humid. But that doesn’t deter these seven South Carolina communities from staging their annual festivals.

Reunions of all kinds, film festivals, fairs, music and crafts, even one celebrating the Renaissance will be held between now and the first weekend of fall.

As the summer festival season winds down, here are some events listed on sciway.net, which stands for the South Carolina Information Highway. It considers itself the largest directory of South Carolina information on the Internet.

Aug. 2-3 Little Mountain Reunion in Newberry

This festival was started way back in 1882 as a way to generate interest in the newly established Newberry College. The event was held every year until the eve of World War II and then resurrected in 1976 as a bicentennial project.

It features 5K road races, food and craft vendors, live music, cornhole tournament, classic cars and a parade.

Aug. 8-11 SC New Play Festival in Greenville

The festival will feature musicals, plays, town halls, an outdoor variety stage at Falls Park, and a Broadway Cabaret featuring Tony-nominee Phillip Boykin, a Greenville native who is appearing in the Broadway production of Hadestown.

Venues for the festival include The Gunter Theatre at the Peace Center, CentreStage, The Warehouse Theatre, Greenville Theatre, South Carolina Children’s Theatre, Falls Park, and at the Greenville One Center.

The festival includes three new musicals. two new plays and the outdoor variety stage. The event has adopted the tagline “The future of American Theater starts in Greenville.”

Aug. 18-25 SC Black Pride Week in Columbia

This eight-day festival founded in 2009 is held each year to LGBTQ communities of color and their families and supporters. “In order to empower and promote the human rights of all families and communities,” the organization says on its website.

Among the events are a cultural arts and wellness festival, unity block party, family fun Night and a job fair. This year’s theme is authentically me.

Aug. 22-24 Freedom Festival International in Columbia

A subsidiary of Carolina Film Network nonprofit organization, Freedom Festival International embraces therapeutic art in film and screenwriting. Located at Spotlight Cinemas Capital 8, the festival will begin with a concert then the next morning a torch lighting ceremony.

Panel discussions will be held as well.

More than 65 independent films by filmmakers from around the world will be shown.

Aug. 23-24 Williamston Spring Water Festival

This is the 43rd year for this festival that includes a 5K walk/run on Aug. 24 and live music, kids’ activities, amusement rides, arts and crafts, antique car show, vendors on both days.

Aug. 24 York Summerfest in Rock Hill

This event has been around for more than 40 years and includes live music, food trucks, kids zone, car show, arts and crafts vendors and a golf tournament.

Aug. 24 Main Street Latin Festival in Columbia

Showcases Latin culture through food, art, dance and music in a family-oriented environment.

Aug. 29-31, Sept. 1-8 Upper South Carolina State Fair

Midway with games and rides, live entertainment, agricultural exhibitions

Aug. 30-31, Sept 1 Lowcountry Jazz Festival in Charleston

Performances by acclaimed jazz artists.

Sept. 6-7 South Carolina Apple Festival in Clemson

Westminster and Long Creek in upstate South Carolina is home to six orchards, which makes Oconee County the largest apple producing region in the state, the festival says on its website.

The two-day event includes a parade, pageant, street dance, live entertainment, arts and crafts and a rodeo.

Sept. 6-7 Upstate Renaissance Faire Greenville

The Upstate Renaissance Faire began in 2021 to help small businesses after the 2020 pandemic. The organization reported an attendance of 10,000 at the first Faire.

Among the activities are live entertainment, demonstrations, vendors, ax throwing and candle making.

Sept. 14-15 Fall Arts & Crafts Market in Columbia

This event benefits the Harvest Hope Food Bank and includes some 170 crafters and vendors hosted by the Midlands Crafters Association