What to look forward to at the Strut

Friday at the Okra Strut

At 6 pm Friday, Sept. 27, The Slippery When Wet band will open the 46th annual Irmo Okra Strut Festival with the Ultimate Bon Jovi Tribute.

They will be followed by local favorites Terence Young and The Finesse Band. Terence is responsible for the official “Okra Strut” dance.

The full band plays covers and originals of your favorite dance songs. If you are ready to dance the night away, join us for this free music festival.

Ice cold beer, great food, sweets, amusement rides and more will be available. Come strut with us.

Saturday at the Okra Strut

The oldest parade in Irmo kicks off at 9 am. It is always fun, lots of locals gather along the St. Andrews Road parade route. Local celebrities judge the entries. Who knows? You may win best float for 2019.

The Irmo Okra Strut is accepting applications for the parade. Applications received after the deadline will be considered if space is available.

There is a $100 participation fee for commercial/ business entries and for political campaigns and candidates. Non-profits will pay a $25 fee and must provide proof of 501 status.

Saturday night music

Edwin McCain has built an enviable career over 20 years with the tours of a tireless troubadour.

His hit songs, authentic spirit and surprisingly affable sense of humor keep fans coming back for nights that feel more like parties with old friends than rock concerts.

After recording 2 of the biggest love songs in pop music and a television show on Animal Planet (Flipping Ships), McCain now performs upwards of 100 shows annually.

Those enduring love songs “I’ll Be” and “I Could Not Ask For More” aren’t just for the romantic at heart; “American Idol” and “The Voice” contestants turn to Edwin’s ballads every year.

46 years of family fun

In the early 1970s, the Lake Murray-Irmo Woman’s Club raised money for a town library.

The club began a longstanding tradition of frying okra for the fundraiser. 7 years and tons of fried okra later, the Woman’s Club had enough money to fund Irmo’s first library on St. Andrews Road.

The festival is a 2-day event featuring a Friday evening street dance with a live band, a Saturday morning parade – the largest in the entire state – plus arts and crafts, rides and amusements, live bands and entertainment on Saturday as well as lots of festival food. Attendance for the celebration averages around 25,000 but has welcomed as many as 60,000 visitors.

Money raised by the festival is put back into the community through charitable contributions to local civic and school organizations, and scholarships.

Irmo has some of the most beautiful campgrounds. Spend the week and enjoy your stay with us.