One of the longest-running and most-anticipated events of the fall season is happening in late September—the 44th annual Aynor Harvest Hoe-Down Festival. Sponsored by The Pilot Club of Aynor, the Hoe-Down features a parade, typical festival foods in addition to numerous food vendors, live music, inflatables and other activities for kids, antique tractors and cars, pageant winners, and lots more.

According to Phyllis Morrison, chairperson of the Hoe-Down Festival, the one-day event sees about 20,000 people milling about in the blocks surrounding the focal point, the Aynor Town Park. 

“Last year, it took me an hour to get from one end of the festival to the other,” she laughs.

Visitors will also be treated to music from several area schools, with the Aynor High Band and Chorus, Aynor Middle Chorus, and Midland Elementary Chorus performing. They’ll be joined by Conway Idol winners, and area gospel groups. The parade features floats, mascots, a grand marshal, marching bands, ROTC units, and more.

Lots of different food will be available, with the Lions Club selling chicken bog. Barbeque, grilled hot dogs and burgers, fried mushrooms, funnel cakes, and lots of other delicious goodies will be on hand throughout the day, according to Morrison. 

“There’s always a good spread of different food,” she says.

Arts and crafts, always an integral part of a good festival, will be displayed for sale, with roughly 185 vendors participating. 

“We have some really beautiful crafts this time, including an artist that paints on wooden benches and bowls, jewelry, metalwork, flower arrangements and plants, and much more,” Morrison adds. “Some of these vendors have been with me 12 years or more,” she recalls. “We’ve seen a lot of Hoe-Downs together!” 

44th Annual Aynor Harvest Hoe-Down
Aynor Town Park area
Saturday, September 21, 10 a.m., Free
(843) 843-358-1074 | aynorhoedown.com