What is the Rice Festival?

 

The Colleton County Rice Festival has been a Walterboro tradition since 1975!

Each spring, our community comes together to celebrate the history, heritage, and traditions that make the Lowcountry special.

Rice played an important role in the early history of Walterboro and Colleton County. Today, the festival honors those roots while bringing families, friends, and visitors together for a week of entertainment, food, shopping, and fun.

We're proud to keep this tradition going and look forward to celebrating with you April 19–25, 2027!

A Celebration of...

Culture

Community

Culture

 

Come hungry and experience some of the traditions that make the Lowcountry special! Enjoy rice perlo from the Largest Pot of Rice, sample local favorites at Taste of Walterboro, and see what's cooking at the TCTC Rice Cook-Off.

Be sure to stop by our Food Court, featuring more than 20 food vendors, and visit the history tent to learn about Walterboro's roots and the role rice played in our community.

Craft

Community

Culture

 

Take a stroll through two blocks of vendors offering handmade crafts, gifts, and all kinds of unique finds!

While you're shopping, enjoy local talent performing on our main stage, or head over to the Walterboro Wildlife Center for one of our evening performances.

Community

Community

Community

 

The Rice Festival brings our community together, and there's something for everyone!

Wave to the beauty queens and familiar faces during the parade down Jefferies Boulevard, join the Rice Run 5K, or bring the kids out for some fun at the carnival.

Don't forget the car show, a little friendly competition at cornhole, and our Saturday night fireworks to wrap up the celebration!

And that's just the beginning!

Each year brings new entertainment, activities, and traditions to enjoy. Explore our event schedule to see what's planned for 2027. 

EXPERIENCE THE

World's Largest Pot of Rice

 A Rice Festival favorite! Stop by for a serving of delicious Lowcountry rice perlo from the World's Largest Pot of Rice, brought to you by the Walterboro Civitans.


Proceeds support local projects, scholarships, and charitable giving throughout our community. Come hungry and help support a great cause!

DISCOVER OUR LOWCOUNTRY RICE HERITAGE

 Rice is more than just part of our festival's name. It played an important role in shaping the history and traditions of the South Carolina Lowcountry.

Take a little time to explore the history behind our festival and the people whose knowledge and labor helped shape our region.

10 Things Everyone Should Know About Lowcountry Rice

Lowcountry Rice Culture Project

Forgotten Fields: Inland Rice Plantations in the South Carolina Lowcountry

Rice Culture in the Carolina Lowcountry: A Selective List of Materials and Links