Summerville’s annual Sweet Tea Festival returns Saturday

SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCBD) – It’s expected to be picture-perfect weather this weekend for Summerville’s annual Sweet Tea Festival.

Steven Doniger with Summerville DREAM said the festival always takes place on the third Saturday in September. “It’s going to be the day to celebrate the birthplace of sweet tea, right here in Summerville, South Carolina.”

Doniger said they will have activities for kids and families, live entertainment, food trucks, vendors, artisans, and plenty of sweet tea to enjoy.

“You can vote for the best sweet tea in all of Summerville during the festival,” he said.

Sweet tea originated in Summerville.

“About 100 years ago or so, they brought in the plants from overseas and did all the research and developed where tea plantations could be where they could grow and be fruitful,” he said. “And then from there, the next logical thing is to put ice in it and sugar. So next thing you know, you’ve got sweet tea.”

Back in 2016, Summerville became a Guinness World Record holder for the largest container of sweet tea.

“We are the town to brew the largest sweet tea with over 2,000 gallons of sweet tea brewed in one day and served,” said Doniger. “It’s a great honor for us to be in the Guinness Book of World Records. The mason jar, we call him Mason, is here in Summerville. You can go by and get a great picture with Mason.”

The festival happens Saturday from 2 p.m. until 7 p.m. You can also enjoy free samples of sweet tea during the event.

“The sweet tea contest is free as well. We have about 15 locations all around downtown and you can get a map with a voting card on it. You can go around to all of the stations and they’re gonna give you a free little 3-ounce sample of the sweet tea, you can sample them for free and vote for the best sweet tea. Games and activities are free.”