The Irmo Okra Strut Festival returns this weekend, marking its 50th celebration over the past 52 years. The only breaks came during COVID-19 and last year’s Hurricane Helene storm damage.
What began as a fundraiser by the Lake Murray-Irmo Woman’s Club to build a new library has grown into a two-day tradition that draws about 25,000 people each year. The festival features a Friday night street dance, Saturday morning parade, arts and crafts, rides and amusements, live music, and plenty of food. Admission is free, with proceeds benefiting local schools, civic groups, scholarships, and community improvements.
The Prisma Health Amphitheater Main Stage opens at 7 p.m. Friday with the Root Doctors, known for their funk, soul, and classic hits performed with an eight-piece ensemble. At 9 p.m., Cowboy Mouth will bring their high-energy blend of rock, blues, punk, funk, country, pop, and soul.
Saturday’s lineup kicks off with DJ Alex at 9 a.m., followed by Prettier Than Matt at 11 a.m. The evening headliner is Rhythm 54 at 4 p.m., a five-member band playing classic rock, blues, and country, with more than four decades of combined performance experience across the U.S. and U.K.
The Irmo Okra Strut Parade begins 9 a.m. Saturday, September 27, starting at CrossRoads Intermediate School and traveling down St. Andrews Road to Lake Murray Boulevard, ending near Irmo Elementary. St. Andrews Road will close to traffic at 8:45 a.m., so attendees are encouraged to arrive early.
The Okra Strut Festival is hosted by the Town of Irmo and managed by the Irmo Town Council and Okra Strut Commission. For more details, visit www.okrastrut.com.
Do you want me to also create a shorter “festival preview” blurb (4–5 sentences) that could run in a community calendar or quick-read section?
