Celebrating when rice was king and Colleton County was the throne. 

Carolina Gold, King Rice. Rice helped create enormous wealth for the Lowcountry since it first arrived in 1685. And Colleton County was perfect for growing it.

The Colleton County Rice Festival celebrates the rich heritage of Colleton County and the contributions made by this cash crop with an arts and cultural festival in the county seat of Walterboro. Enjoy three fun-filled days of family activities in the warm South Carolina spring sun. The Rice Festival has all the elements that make it fun for the entire family .  Central to the festival is an arts and crafts area with a wide array of handcrafted items.  The queen of the Rice Festival is crowned in March and she takes her rightful place of honor in the Rice Festival Parade as it meanders through downtown as a kickoff event to the festival.  A 5K run is another signature event for the festival, as well as a cooking contest featuring all sorts of rice dishes.  And, what SC Festival is complete without a food court area?  Sprinkle in a few tried-and-true activities such as fireworks, and you’ve got an event sure to please the entire family.

Wander the streets of our county seat, Walterboro, and experience a full schedule of family activities.

We suggest you start your visit to the Rice Festival at the Walterboro Welcome Center, located just off I-95 at exit 53. Let us show you why Walterboro is the front porch of the Lowcountry. There, you'll find plenty of tips about what to see and do before, during and after the Rice Festival.

Thanks for visiting this site. We're so pleased you did. Be sure to sit a spell and take a look around. Contact us for more information.

Silhouettes such as this one by Mr. Lewis Bowen are steeped in the rice plantation heritage.