Throngs of attendees stroll up and down Calhoun Street during the 2019 Mayfest, the last time the festival was held before the pandemic. The 2022 festival will be held May 7 from 10- a.m. to 5 p.m. LYNNE COPE HUMMELL
What do ugly dogs, beautiful hats and delicious pies have in common? They’re all just a part of this year’s Mayfest celebration, a perennial free village festival organized by the Rotary Club of Bluffton and held in charming Old Town Bluffton.
This year’s event will be held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 7.
This is the festival’s 42nd year, and each year its popularity grows. Attendees will find more than 125 art and food vendors, along with great music and entertainment.
Rotary Club of Bluffton president Dan Ciuffreda said the club was unable to hold the festival for the past two years due to COVID.
But, “We’re back this year, and we know everyone is ready to enjoy the sense of community Mayfest embodies. This is one of the area’s favorite festivals because it has something for everyone – food, arts and crafts, music and entertainment,” Ciuffreda said. “Mayfest is the perfect way to start your summer.”
In addition to great Lowcountry food, as well as arts and crafts created by regional artists, two stages – the main stage in Martin Family Park and a second stage on Bridge Street – will provide a variety of entertainment.
Main stage entertainment promises performances by Bluffton School of Dance at 10 a.m., the band Burnt Church Revival from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; a Derby Hat Parade at 2 p.m., and music by The Country Project following the hat parade.
The Bridge Street stage will feature Jason Laporte and Davey Masteller from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., followed by Greezy Joe from 2 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Additional musical artists will perform throughout the day on May River Road, sponsored by The Roasting Room.
Other entertainment includes the Ugly Dog Contest, starting at 1 p.m. at Heyward House, with one-of-a-kind trophies created by local potter Brynne Bowler.
The Pie Eating Contest starts at 11:30 a.m. at Dubois Park.
Each year the festival features work from a local artist, and this year does not disappoint. Kelly Logan Graham’s beautiful “Mayfest Historic Bluffton South Carolina” will be printed on shirts and posters that will be available for purchase. All proceeds from merchandise sales benefit the Rotary Club of Bluffton’s community efforts.
Festivalgoers are encouraged to take advantage of free shuttles that will run between Red Cedar Elementary School and Old Town Bluffton.
More information can be found in the Mayfest section of the Rotary Club of Bluffton website at blufftonrotary.org.
