Wedding & Event Venue near Florence, SC

FLORENCE, S.C. (WPDE) — Thousands packed downtown for the South Carolina Pecan Music and Food Festival.

The event featured something for everyone, from a classic car show to rides, games, vendors, live music and of course, lots of pecans!

Florence is home to the world’s largest pecan festival, drawing tens of thousands of visitors each year, according to Southern Living Magazine.

The festival first kicked off in 2004, inspired by Jean Downey and the late Pat Gibson Hye-Moore, a former city council member.

Since then, it’s grown into an award-winning event, recognized as the “best community festival” in the Pee Dee and one of the “best fall festivals in South Carolina” by Travel and Leisure online.

The city closed off ten blocks of downtown to make room for more than 280 vendors, serving up food, fun, and music for all ages.

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“Oh my god, it is so wonderful to see all the vendors, the music, the cars, is something I'll definitely come to every year,” Connie Street, a visitor from Rock Hill said.

For visitors like Street, the festival is about more than just pecans; it’s about good food and good company.

"I'm looking forward to some good food, the car show, because our husbands are into cars, and just getting out, just seeing what all they have to offer at the pecan festival," Street said.

The car show is one of the festival’s biggest attractions, this year featuring more than 150 classic cars.

After 21 years, the pecan festival continues to bring people together for food, family, and fun.

“Come to the pecan festival, Florence got it going on," Douglas Backus, festival attendee said.

With big crowds, great music, and plenty of southern flavor, organizers say this year’s turnout could top 50,000 people.

The Thomas McClary Commodores Experience headlined this year’s event.

The Pecan Music and Food Festival is organized and produced by the Florence Downtown Development Corporation.

LAKE CITY, S.C. (WPDE) — Florence County councilmembers gave the green light Thursday morning for a loan of up to $1 million to help Lake City avoid having to file for bankruptcy due to major financial problems.

Florence County Administrator Kevin Yokim explained details of Lake City's situation to council members.

"The South Carolina Treasurer's Office has been withholding funds from the city to include its portion of the local option sales taxes in accordance with South Carolina provides a 98.9. City currently collects approximately $90,000 in local option sales taxes per month and needs this loan until the South Carolina Treasurer's Office (STO) receives payments. Three months of sales taxes have already been withheld. Delinquent audit is currently in process, but may not be completed for a few weeks. Lake City is requesting that the county enter into this loan. The loan would be repaid from the city's budget going forward," said Yokim.

Lake City is in a financial crisis. The South Carolina Treasurer's Office is withholding $406,000 in local option sales tax funds from the city.

Lake City cut 34 positions since June and had to redo its budget to trim $2 million in spending.

Lake City's interim administrator said in a memo last month that the city was on the verge of bankruptcy.

Florence County Councilman Jason Springs has been keeping up with the matter, as Lake City is in his district.

Springs shared some alarming information with fellow county council members.

"There was co-mingling of funds, grant money mixed in with general operating fund, utility funds mixed with general operating fund. Basically, there was money in the bank, I think they were spending it, and it was not being properly coded. It was not being followed in the proper budget as it should have been," said Springs.

Springs went into great detail about the city's cash flow problem and a myriad of problems created as a result of it.

"I know two weeks ago they were down to $210,000. That's not much for a city government. The reason that I'm supporting us loaning them this money is while as frustrated as I am as everyone else is I think in the county at how things have gone in Lake City, the problem is if we don't step in and help them take or help them with some a financial infusion here. Then we're already seeing problems with commercial businesses are not getting their trash dump, which in turn has caused a problem for the county. Because now we've got businesses taking their trash to demand convenience centers and they're overloading demand convenience centers, not for commercial use. We've had to step in with that some of that. But, when we've got local businesses who can't throw away their discarded food like as in restaurants and hotels. And other businesses like that that's a sanitation problem. We've got dumpsters overflowing all over town. And the other problem is, with not just that, it's to the point that a week or so ago, the city was no longer able to purchase chlorine for the water system. That affects a lot of people, not just people who are citizens of Lake City. That's people who are in the county who are on that water system.

"This will allow them to do those things to keep water and sanitation going and to keep the entire city doing what it needs to do," said Springs.

The City of Florence helped Lake City collect trash from its commercial businesses. Florence city officials said they plan to bill Lake City around $4,000 for the work.

Lake City's interim administrator said their commercial trash truck is done and they've rented one for the time being.

Springs said he thinks the city has to revisit some core services, but hopes they're headed in the right direction. The terms of the loan agreement require Lake City to repay over five years.

Florence County could recoup its money through Lake City's local option sales tax if the city defaults on the loan.

Every November Florence, South Carolina, gets a little nutty. And this year will be no exception as over 50,000 people are expected to attend the city's annual Pecan Festival on November 1, the largest of its kind in the world.

“What started as a small single-block event to bring folks to our downtown and spark ideas and reinvestment has evolved into a nine-block takeover of historic Downtown Florence with exceptional entertainment, food, and fellowship,” says Hannah Davis, Main Street Manager for the Florence Downtown Development Corporation.

The small, local festival started in 2003 but grew quickly in popularity and was officially designated as the official South Carolina State Pecan Festival in 2011. This year marks 21 years of celebrating all things pecans for the city.

While this family-friendly festival is just a day, it's worth spending a weekend in this charming little city. Read on for how to get the most out of the festival and your time in town.

Festival Highlights

Entry to the Pecan Festival is free and packed with activities, food and entertainment from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. But if you're feeling extra nutty, you can start your festival experience early by participating in one of the ‘Run Like a Nut’ races ranging from a 5k all the way up to a half marathon.

Other activities throughout the day include blacksmith demonstrations, a classic car show, and a sidewalk chalk decorating competition. Kids will be able to enjoy circus and bubble shows, and have their own afternoon dance party.

But one of the best things about the festival is all of the pecan-inspired food. All of the food vendors are required to serve at least one item containing pecans. Pecan cream funnel cakes are always a fan favorite, and there are a variety of other sweet treats like pecan pie, pecan praline kettle corn, and pecan praline banana pudding. But you'll also find savory pecan items like pecan jerk chicken and loaded pecan sweet potato fries.

Over 40 different entertainment acts will take to one of the nine entertainment stages throughout the day, too. It's one of those festivals where you could easily wander for a few hours or more, and the weather in Florence early November is typically fairly mild in the mid to high 60s, making it a perfect fall weekend activity to plan to go to.

What To Do

But whether you’re in town for the festival or not, there are other great ways to enjoy a weekend in Florence.

Pecans are a big deal in Florence all year round. If you miss the Pecan Festival you can always follow the Pecan Trail around town for local businesses that feature the nut.

There are over twenty stops on the trail, but make sure to stop into Young's to try all sorts of pecans and other Southern delicacies, especially because you can sample most things in the store. The double dipped chocolate pecans are a bestseller, but you'll also find things like cheese straws and boiled peanuts to take home.

This five mile out-and-back path is flat and great for walking, running or biking. Parts of it are shaded, but you'll want a hat for some of the stretches that are more exposed. Start at the entrance behind adventure store Naturally Outdoors and grab a coffee at Bean Bar before your walk, or sit and have a beer at Local Motive Brewery after you're done.

sctrails.net/trails/trail/florence-rail-trail, Trailhead at 2519 W Palmetto St, Florence, SC 29501

There are a number of antique stores around town to find treasures in. Palmetto Peddlers has a collection of vendors selling everything from china sets and silver to furniture and vintage arcade games.

palmettopeddlers.com, 2295 Hoffmeyer Rd. Florence, SC 29501

Where To Eat

Elliott Moss, formerly of Buxton Hall fame, opened his new BBQ spot in his hometown earlier this year. It was recently recognized as one of the South's top 50 barbecue spots for its whole hog 'cue. Have it traditionally served or as part of his BBQ nachos topped with beer cheese.

Kids will be entertained by things like the pinball machines while adults can relax and chat or play a game of pool. Elliott's shares a space with Seminar Brewing. During the Pecan Festival the brewery makes a brown pale ale called Pecans Gone Wild.

Also adjacent to Local Motive Brewing and Bean Bar, Buddy's serves up the best burgers and fries in town. The classic Buddy Burger is two smash patties, but if you’re saving room to sample some of the brown butter pecan ice cream from their sister store Martha's next door, opt for the Lil' Buddy with a single patty.

buddysflorence.com, 2519 W Palmetto St, Florence, SC 2950

This upscale farm-to-table restaurant is centrally located in Downtown Florence. Following the Pecan Festival they'll be serving a special four-course menu featuring pecans with every dish. If you find yourself there outside of the festival try the deviled egg topped with a fried oyster to start before trying the pan seared quail for an entree.

townhallflorence.com, 101 W Evans St, Florence, SC 29501

FLORENCE COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) — The Pee Dee IceCats have severed ties with co-owner Parker Moskal four games into its inaugural season.

“This decision was made after careful consideration and in the best interest of our players, our fans and the long-term success of professional hockey here in Florence,” owners Kevin Boggs, Kevin Cuppia and Mike Roman said in statement on Wednesday.

The Federal Prospects Hockey League team — which has no NHL affiliation — opened its 52-game season Oct. 10 with a 5-2 win against the Columbus River Dragons at the Florence Center.

Moskal posted a lengthy appreciation on his LinkedIn page following the team’s first game.

“Bringing hockey back to the Pee Dee after all these years has truly been the privilege of a lifetime. The energy in that building reminded me exactly why we do this. Hockey isn’t just a sport, it’s a community. And this is just the beginning,” he wrote.

Team executives didn’t disclose a reason for Moskal’s departure and said they wouldn’t comment further.

“In an effort to stay focused on hockey, our fans and this community, no member of our organization will be speaking further on this matter publicly. What’s most important now is looking ahead — continuing to grow, compete and create an incredible experience for everyone who supports this team.”

Moskal, who also served as managing ownership partner and governor of FPHL’s Monroe Moccasins, was let go from that post on Tuesday, according to Nexstar affiliate KTVE.

Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here.