Wedding & Event Venue Near Hampton, SC.

When will the new Tractor Supply store in Hampton open? Here's the latest.

After delays in their original opening plans, Tractor Supply Company officials announced this week a new, revised "soft opening" and official Grand Opening schedule for the Tractor Supply store to be located along U.S. Highway 278 on the west end of Hampton, S.C., in the old Bi-Lo shopping center.

Although Tractor Supply first announced plans earlier this year to open in early October, Annalee Rivers, a TSC spokesperson, told The Hampton County Guardian, "As of right now, I can confirm that the new Hampton store will have it's grand opening on Nov. 9, with a soft opening a couple weeks earlier on Oct. 26."

Rivers added that the company would send out a press release later this month with more information.

While Rivers did not comment on the cause of the delays, August and September certainly have been rough months for businesses and individuals in the Hampton County and Lowcountry areas.

The area was hit by Hurricane Debby, followed by Hurricane Helene. In between the storms, the new store was the target of a burglary attempt at the Hampton location while it was still under renovation and construction.

Hopefully, the worst is in the rear view mirror, as the new store appears to be a good fit for this rural area of the Lowcountry heavily populated by outdoorsmen, pet and livestock owners, family farms and even large agricultural ventures.

More about Tractor Supply in Hampton

According to its company website, as of March 30, 2024, Tractor Supply Company operated 2,233 Tractor Supply stores in 49 states, along with 10 major distribution centers and a smaller pet company, Petsense by Tractor Supply, a small-box pet specialty supply retailer providing products and services for pet owners.

Tractor Supply Company began in 1938 as a mail-order business focused on providing quality tractor parts to farmers at fair prices. Charles E. Schmidt Sr. ran the business from his Chicago kitchen table before opening a retail store one year later.

Brentwood, Tenn.-based Tractor Supply Company(NASDAQ: TSCO) is the largest rural lifestyle retailer in the United States, ranking 291 on the Fortune 500 and employing more than 50,000 team members.

According to their company website, Tractor Supply stores provide a one-stop shop for the community, serving farmers, livestock and pet owners, ranchers, part-time and hobby farmers, gardeners, homeowners and others. Tractor Supply customers can access a wide range of products including pet supplies, animal feed, propane tanks, fencing, tools and outdoor power equipment, apparel, gifts and decor and more. The stores carry top brands, such as Purina, Carhartt, Blue Buffalo, Makita and Hobart, as well as products exclusive to Tractor Supply. As part of the company’s ongoing evolution to continually meet customer needs, select Tractor Supply stores around the country feature a garden center that includes live goods and seasonal items for everyone from novice gardeners to professional landscapers.

Tractor Supply actively participates in their communities by supporting local animal shelters, area 4-H clubs, FFA chapters and more.

For more information on Tractor Supply, visit www.tractorsupply.com.

If you would like to apply for a position at Tractor Supply Company, check out their "Careers" page at https://www.tractorsupply.careers/.

If you are interested in becoming a vendor or product partner for Tractor Supply Company, visit the RangeMe platform for product submissions.

For more information on Tractor Supply, read our original story here or visit www.tractorsupply.com.

Hampton County, and the town of Yemassee, will be well represented at the 2024 South Carolina State Fair, along with its 45 sister counties.

The theme of the 2024 S.C. State Fair is "46 Reasons to Celebrate South Carolina," and State Fair organizers have chosen 46 volunteer ambassadors to celebrate each county within our state.

“We’re thrilled to once again host the South Carolina State Fair, a beloved tradition for our state,” says Nancy Smith, general manager of the S.C. State Fair. “While our commitment to South Carolina is year-round, we’re especially excited to celebrate all that makes our state so special at this year’s fair.”

“This year’s theme allows us to incorporate new exhibits and attractions that highlight and educate fairgoers on everything that makes our state great,” added Smith.

The ambassador chosen to represent Hampton County is Darrell Russell, a Yemassee-area resident who is a recorded singer and songwriter with who has been played and interviewed on FM and Internet radio.

"We are so excited to have Hampton County (along with the other 45 counties) represented!" said Lauren Sherr, the 2024 Theme Project Coordinator for the S.C. State Fair. "And are extra excited to have Darrell Russell coming to perform his song, Yemassee!"

“I really am excited to be part of this SCSF exhibit," said Russell. "This is the fair’s first time all 46 counties are in one single exhibit. With the largest assistance from non-profit agencies, I have been trusted with a collection of photos and memorabilia to display.”

“I've been entrusted with a Hampton County Watermelon Festival street light banner, and the framed lithograph from Mr. William Koger’s office," he added. "I’ve been given coloring books about Hampton County, and watermelons to give away. I’m excited and grateful to be appearing on three dates to share the history and goodness in Hampton county.”

But Russell's representation doesn't end there. The local musician will also be performing his song, titled “Yemassee," and possibly a new song he is currently writing, titled “Hampton County (SC)."

Russell is looking to speak to anyone in local government or organizations and collect other visuals that boast about our beautiful county, her great events, and most wonderful residents, he said, adding that this is a great tourism opportunity for Hampton County. Local officials or nonprofits are encouraged to contact him at (843) 321-9566.

In a recent press promotion, the S.C. State Fair said it "invites residents and visitors to embark on a remarkable journey to celebrate the very essence of what makes the Palmetto State such a special place to live, work and play — the 46 counties that collectively make up South Carolina. 'Reasons to Celebrate SC' encapsulates the heart and soul of the South Carolina State Fair. It's a theme that brings forth the rich tapestry of South Carolina's history, culture and people, and weaves it into every facet of the 12-day event."

The 46 Reasons to Celebrate South Carolina exhibit will uncover the rich history, vibrant culture and natural beauty of every corner of the Palmetto State through displays dedicated to each of the 46 counties of South Carolina. Along with the opportunity to learn something new, fairgoers will have the chance to mark their county on a giant map of South Carolina. Special guests and entertainers will be scheduled to visit throughout the fair. The exhibit is located in the Ruff Building and is included with fair admission.

Other exciting State Fair attractions

From live performances to racing pigs and the free daily circus at the Fair, there will be numerous stops for fun and entertainment, including three new attractions: the South Carolina Grown Marketplace, the 46 Reasons to Celebrate South Carolina exhibit and the Rocket Plaza.

About the South Carolina State FairThe South Carolina State Fair, a self-supporting 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, was organized in 1869 and is dedicated to preserving and promoting South Carolina’s agricultural roots while supporting statewide education. In addition to the 12-day South Carolina State Fair, the charitable organization manages annual football parking, is a popular event venue, and has awarded more than $5 million in scholarships since 1997.

Discount tickets to the 2024 South Carolina State Fair now on sale

Buy early and save up to 50 percent now through Oct. 8 at a participating Circle K or at SCStateFair.org Tuesday, Sept. 10, 2024 (Columbia, S.C.) – Discount admission and ride tickets are officially on sale for the 155th South Carolina State Fair, which will return to Columbia, S.C. Oct. 9-20, 2024. Purchasing tickets in advance, now through Tuesday, Oct. 8, can save fairgoers up to 50% at a participating Circle K location or at SCStateFair.org.Discount admission tickets, now through Oct. 8, are $10 per person ($15-$20 during the fair) and discount ride vouchers are $32 per person ($40-$42 during the fair). Exchange a ride voucher for a Pay-One-Price (POP) wristband to enjoy unlimited rides or for 90 ride tickets on a reloadable card. The POP wristband or the tickets on the reloadable card are good for all rides any day of the fair, including weekends.

“We are committed to making the fair accessible to everyone and buying early is an excellent way to enjoy great savings,” says Smith. “With a full lineup of attractions, entertainment and food, purchasing tickets in advance allows our guests to make the most of their experience and ensure they don’t miss a moment of the fun.”

Hurricane Helene hammered the Gulf Coast and the Southeastern seaboard before devastating inland areas of North Carolina and Tennessee, leaving more than 100 dead and causing an estimated $110 billion-plus in property damages, according to national media outlets.

In South Carolina, more than 425,000 S.C. Electric Cooperative customers were without power by Friday. Dominion Energy reported that more than 386,000 of its customers were without power.

Hampton County was one of many targets in Helene's destructive path, as the storm raged in Thursday night and into Friday, leaving a swath of downed trees and powerlines and thousands without power, and spinning off at least three confirmed tornadoes in nearby Beaufort County, according to the National Weather Service.

By Saturday, Hampton County residents without power were dealing with 90-degree temperatures. As power was slowly restored, or stores cranked up generators, long lines were reported at gas stations, grocery stores and restaurants.

What's the latest on the Hurricane Helene damage in my area?

By Monday morning, portions of Hampton County, including areas of Estill, Scotia, Garnett, Gifford were still without electrical power, as well as portions of nearby Allendale, Colleton, Beaufort and Jasper counties, said Susanne Peeples, H.C. Emergency Management Director. The Town of Hampton and the Town of Yemassee did have power, she added.

As of Monday, Palmetto Electric Cooperative still had 2,296 customers in Hampton County without power.

When will I get power back in Hampton County?

Some cooperative members in western South Carolina should prepare for outages of at least a week, if not longer, even as crews work to restore power as quickly as possible.

"This will be a multi-day event,” said Mike Couick, CEO of the Electric Cooperatives of South Carolina. “We expect it’ll be at least a week before the hardest hit areas have power restored, and we urge those without power to make arrangements.”

Locally, officials with Palmetto Electric said their goal was to get as many of its Hampton County customers back online today (Monday) and the rest as soon as possible, but could not provide specific estimates.

"Due to the extent of damage, we are unable to provide specific restoration times," Palmetto Electric posted on its social media channels. "We appreciate your patience as we continue to work. More updates will follow throughout the day."

Dominion Energy restored power to roughly 200,000 customers within 24 hours of the storm clearing, but is still working to restore others.

As of Monday morning, Dominion Energy reports that it hopes to have electrical power restored to 95 percent of its customers by 11 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 3.

How much damage did Hurricane Helene inflict on SC?

Restoration efforts continue in SC

All hands on deck: Every S.C. cooperative has line crews working to restore power to South Carolinians. Crews from co-ops that are back online – including Berkeley Electric, Black River Electric, and Horry Electric – are now working to restore power for their fellow co-ops in the Upstate. A handful of other co-ops including Fairfield Electric, Lynches River Electric, Santee Electric, and Tri-County Electric, plan to send crews in the next day or two — as soon as they’ve completed restoration in their own areas. Additional help is coming from crews from Alabama, Arkansas, Ohio, Tennessee and Virginia.

Infrastructure challenges: About 8% of substations and delivery points remain offline, down from 39% on Friday morning. Cooperatives are working closely with transmission providers Duke Energy and Santee Cooper to re-energize substations

Governor Henry McMaster today requested an Expedited Major Presidential Disaster Declaration to assist state and local response efforts to Hurricane Helene, and that request was approved by the federal government.

The Presidential Disaster Declaration, if approved, would provide FEMA Individual Assistance Program help to residents impacted by the storm in Aiken, Anderson, Bamberg, Barnwell, Cherokee, Chesterfield, Greenville, Greenwood, Lexington, Oconee, Newberry, Pickens, Saluda, and Spartanburg counties.

The request also includes categories A, B, and F of the FEMA Public Assistance Program for state and local government agencies, in addition to eligible non-profit organizations in Abbeville, Aiken, Allendale, Anderson, Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun, Cherokee, Chester, Colleton, Edgefield, Fairfield, Greenville, Greenwood, Hampton, Lancaster, Laurens, McCormick, Newberry, Oconee, Orangeburg, Pickens, Saluda, Spartanburg, Union, and York counties.

The Individual Assistance Program, if activated for South Carolina, would provide direct financial assistance to residents who incurred uninsured damages to their property as a result of the storm. FEMA Individual Assistance may also provide for other needs on a case-by-case basis.

The Public Assistance Program reimburses applicants for the unexpected, extraordinary costs of recovering from a major disaster. The Federal Emergency Management Agency pays 75% of this aid, and the division of the remaining 25% will be determined at a later date.

The governor's request also includes FEMA Hazard Mitigation Program grants to help lessen the impact of future disasters.

This is an initial request for federal assistance through FEMA. If approved, additional counties may be added based on need.