SwampFest at Congaree rescheduled for October 30 and 31, 2015

HOPKINS, SC – As waters recede from recent floods, staff at Congaree National Park and South East Rural Community Outreach (SERCO) have rescheduled the 13th annual SwampFest which had to be postponed due to the extreme flooding that affected most of the state.   The event will now take place Friday, October 30 and Saturday, October 31, 2015 and will feature a wide range of activities including musical performances, food, vendors, special exhibits and activities geared toward folks of all ages.  The festival will take place at two primary sites near Congaree National Park including the October 30 BBQ, Blues &Jazz fundraiser event at the historic Harriet Barber House, FREE SwampFest activities at Congaree National Park on October 30 and 31 and the main festival site at Old Mount Moriah Church, 1001 Old Bluff Road, in Hopkins.   On Saturday, free shuttles will run continuously between the entertainment stage and the park.  Once at the park, visitors will be enlightened and inspired by numerous programs, exhibits and activities.  Art from area youth is currently on display at the Harry Hampton Visitor Center at the park with prizes to be awarded for the top entries.

The community event is a collaborative effort between Congaree National Park, SERCO and a wide range of area partners.   “We really hated to postpone the event but are excited to have rescheduled,” says SERCO Chair Marie Adams, “It’s been great to work with our partners at the park and in the community to move forward with the event.  We’ve all been through a lot with the recent flooding and encourage folks to come out and just have a good time!”

Music will fill the air at the festival location and a wide range of other activities will be available at the park and festival location.    According to Park Ranger Jon Manchester, park staff and volunteers have put together some special programs for the event.  “We’re doing special hikes, demonstrations and activities geared toward kids and kids at heart,” says Manchester, “It’s going to be a great weekend!

For more information about Swampfest please visit http://www.congareeswampfest.com/#!membership/cuxg

For more information about Congaree National Park, call 803.647.3970 or visit www.nps.gov/cong.  

Join Congaree National Park on social media: www.facebook.com/CongareeNP, www.twitter.com/CongareeNPS, www.flickr.com/photos/congareenps/ and www.pinterest.com/congareenps.

Celebrate the Centennial of the National Park Service in 2016!  The centennial will kick off a second century of stewardship of America’s national parks and engaging communities through recreation, conservation, and historic preservation programs.  For more information, visit www.nps.gov/subjects/centennial.  Find Your Park at www.findyourpark.com.