18th Annual Sweetgrass Festival
Event Details
The annual Sweetgrass Festival in Mount Pleasant is designed to promote and bring attention to the contributions of the Gullah Geechee people’s history, culture, traditions and their sweetgrass basket art form that originated in Mount Pleasant and continues to exist in our town and surrounding communities today.
Offering free admission, entertainment and activities, the Sweetgrass Festival also provides an opportunity for local basket makers to showcase, promote and market their sweetgrass merchandise to locals as well as cultural tourists from around the country.
Additionally, the Sweetgrass Festival provides an opportunity for engagement, interaction and exposure to the Gullah Geechee people’s cultures. Informative and interesting educational sessions will enlighten and entertain participants of all ages.
In 2006, Governor Jim Hodges designated the Sweetgrass Basket making art form as the SC Official Art Craft. With the largest percentage of the original sweetgrass basket makers living within Mount Pleasant and surrounding communities, Mount Pleasant is also known as the home of the Original Sweetgrass Basket Makers. A significant portion of Mount Pleasant Highway 17 has been designated by SC DOT as the Sweetgrass Basket Makers Highway. These are all bona fide claims that can be made nowhere else in our country.
Sweetgrass Basket & Craft Show
Stroll through the Sweetgrass Basket & Craft Show, where you will find an amazing assortment of incredible basketry along with a wide variety of hand-made arts, crafts and jewelry. You’re sure to find plenty of unique Lowcountry creations that make great gifts for yourself and your loved ones!
All Spaces for the 2022 festival have been allotted. Applications for 2023 event will be open in May 2023. Email events@tompsc.com for details.
A Taste of Sweetgrass Culture Dinner Experience
A new add-on to the highly anticipated Sweetgrass Festival on July 23 has been announced for July 22, the day before the festival. Join the African American Settlement Community Historic Commission at the Cooper River Room at Memorial Waterfront Park on July 22 at 6:00 p.m. for the Taste of Sweetgrass Culture Dinner Experience!
Reggie Love, National Championship-winning player and Team Captain for the Duke Blue Devils Basketball team, as well as Personal Aide for President Barack Obama, will be in attendance as a guest speaker.
Come join! All-inclusive tickets are just $60! Learn more and purchase your tickets here.
