Our Rich History

South Carolina Festival of Flowers | Greenwood, SC

For nearly six decades, the South Carolina Festival of Flowers in Greenwood, SC has celebrated flowers, community, and Southern hospitality. What began in 1968 as a horticultural celebration tied to Park Seed Company’s centennial has grown into one of the Southeast’s most recognized floral festivals.

Each June, the festival welcomes tens of thousands of visitors for a month-long celebration with concerts, gardens, art, and family-friendly events.

At the heart of it all is the Topiary Project — more than 55 vibrant living sculptures that transform Uptown Greenwood into an imaginative, walkable outdoor gallery.

68,000+

Annual Attendance

$3.2M+

Economic Impact

55+

Topiary Sculptures

20+

June Events

Key Moments in Our History

July 1968
The first SC Festival of Flowers was held to coincide with the 100th anniversary celebration of George W. Park Seed Company.

1968
Events: Open house, Arts and Crafts show, Photo exhibit & Military Band Concert.

ninth air force band military band concert

1968
First Princess of the Flowers was Miss Judy Funderburk of Bennettsville.

1970
Private home garden tours were added to the schedule.

1971
U.S. Representative Bryan Dorn was honorary chairman and official host.

1972
Governor, John West, heralded the SC Festival of Flowers and Greenwood for its dedication to economic growth and environmental quality.

1973
State Senator John Drummond became honorary chairman and official host of the 14th Festival of Flowers and following Festivals.

1974
James Dickey, celebrated author of Deliverance and poet-in-residence at USC was the speaker at the annual Governor’s Day Luncheon.

1976
A Bicentennial Parade was the highlight of the 9th Festival. The parade included 26 Princesses of Flowers dressed in Bicentennial costumes.

1982
The 15th Annual SC Festival of Flowers receives the designation of one of the top 100 Festival in the USA under Chairman, John Hughes, who served two years.

1983
First beach dance featuring the Embers at the Civic Center under the direction of Ruple Harley, Jr.

1987
The United States Postal Service issued a special Festival cancellation stamp and opened a “Festival Station” at the Civic Center.

special cancellation stamp greenwood 1987

1990
First Flotilla on Lake Greenwood as part of the SC Festival of Flowers and in celebration of Lake Greenwood’s 50th Anniversary.

1992
Frank Cuda became the Executive Director after being the Volunteer Chairman since 1986.

1994
First Annual 5K Fun Run at the Civic Center.

1995
The first Women’s Invitational Golf Tournament at Hunter’s Creek Golf Club was added to the Festival schedule.

1996
The 10K and 2 Mile Fun Run & Walk were moved from the Civic Center to the Stoney Point Community after a train cut through the middle of the race and delayed it in 1994.

1998
The website was created and launched, scFestivalofFlowers.org.

1999
The newly formed Festival Chorale performed an evening of Rodgers and Hammerstein music with full orchestra and 55 singers on stage at Lander University under the direction of Dr. Charles T. Gaines.

2000
The first Triathlon, with a 1500-meter swim, 24-mile bike ride and a 10K run, was held at the Lake Greenwood State Recreation Area.

2004
The creation of the first Festival pin.

2005
A new pin was designed featuring a water lily.

2007
Kay Self was welcomed as the incoming Executive Director for the 40th Anniversary. She replaced long time director Frank Cuda.

2008
For the 41st a new logo celebrating its Carolina roots launched.

south carolina festival of flowers greenwood

2008
Under the leadership of Chair, Kathryn Smith and Executive Director, Kay Self, the Topiary Project was launched with 13 topiaries displayed Uptown.

2009
Winner of four regional Excellence Awards at the Carolina Showfest Convention: “Best Merchandise,” “Best Website,” and “Overall Event of the Year.” Kay Self was awarded “South Carolina Director of the Year.”

2011
Ellesor G. Holder took the helm as Executive Director for
the 44th Festival and updated the Festival brand with the current and more contemporary logo.

2012
45th Anniversary Celebration and featured nationally in USA Today Newspaper.

2017
50th Anniversary Celebration! Ruple Harley, Jr, serves as the SC Festival of Flowers Chairman again for the 50th, this 2016 is his fifth time at the helm.

Our History

The SC Festival of Flowers Through the Decades

1960s-1970s

Where It All Began

The first festival was launched in 1968, inspired by Park Seed’s national reputation and Greenwood’s horticultural roots. Community leaders saw an opportunity to showcase the region through flowers, gardens, and local culture.

Early events included garden tours, arts and crafts, photography exhibits, and live music — setting the foundation for a tradition that continues today.

1980s-1990s

Growing Traditions

The festival expanded to include new signature events and community traditions, such as beach music dances, parades, and lake celebrations.

Under the leadership of Executive Director Frank Cuda (1992), the festival experienced significant growth, adding events such as the Fun Run and the Women’s Invitational Golf Tournament, and launching its first website in 1998.

2000s

A Signature Attraction Blooms

In 2008, the Topiary Project debuted with 13 living sculptures — quickly becoming the festival’s most iconic feature.

Today, more than 55 topiaries line Uptown Greenwood, making the festival one of the most unique floral experiences in the Southeast.

2010s-Present

Recognition & Growth

The festival has earned regional, national, and international award , including honors from the IFEA and designation as a Signature Event of the Southeast (2025).

Even during the challenges of 2020, the Topiary Project continued, offering a meaningful and safe experience for the community.

Recent additions like the Garden Symposium, expanded food offerings, and the Blooms & Beats Concert Series continue to grow the festival’s impact.

Looking Ahead

Today, the SC Festival of Flowers remains one of the premier June festivals in South Carolina, welcoming 68,000+ visitors and generating over $3.2 million in economic impact annually.

As the festival continues to evolve, its mission remains the same: celebrating Greenwood’s horticultural heritage while creating unforgettable experiences for the community and visitors alike.

Past SC Festival of Flowers Chairs

For more than five decades, the South Carolina Festival of Flowers has been guided by the vision, dedication, and leadership of remarkable community volunteers. Our past chairs and co-chairs have played a vital role in shaping the festival into the beloved tradition it is today. Their commitment of time, creativity, and service has helped the festival grow, innovate, and continue to bring beauty, culture, and community together each year. We are deeply grateful for their leadership and lasting contributions to the legacy of the South Carolina Festival of Flowers.

1968 – Dick Stowe
1969 – Dr. Lawrence Stranch
1970 – Dr. Lawrence Stranch
1971 – Carroll Moore
1972 – Gus Burgdorf
1973 – Victor Garber
1974 – Ruple Harley, Jr.
1975 – Ruple Harley, Jr.
1976 – Bruce Lawrence
1977 – Larry Powell
1978 – Henry Johnson
1979 – Mike Ethridge
1980 – Ed Golulbski
1981 – John Hughes
1982 – John Hughes
1983 – Bob Shew
1984 – Bubba Fennell
1985 – John Hughes & Ruple Harley, Jr.
1986 – Frank Cuda
1987 – Lee Foltz

1988 – Hazel Hughes
1989 – Pam Harley
1990 – Lee Foltz
1991 – Kathryn Smith
1992 – John Painter
1993 – B. Gil Sampson, III
1994 – Lori Hajost
1995 – Ruple Harley, III
1996 – Mary Alexander
1997 – Kristi Wallen
1998 – Kevin Prater
1999 – Donna Adams
2000 – Carol Harley
2001 – Jim Manley
2002 – Kendall Adams
2003 – Debbie Dill
2004 – Lisa Emily
2005 – Tracey Terrell
2006 – Lisa Emily
2007 – Ruple Harley, Jr.

2008 – Kathryn Smith
2009 – Mo Scott
2010 – Chas Fox
2011 – Eleanor Teal
2012 – Claire Kuhl
2013 – Steering Committee Lead
2014 – Steering Committee Lead
2015 – Steering Committee Lead
2016 – Steering Committee Lead
2017 – Ruple Harley, Jr.
2018 – Richard Thomason
2019 – Richard Thomason
2020 – Lisa Sanders
2021 – Hannah Gantt
2022 – Susan Jackson
2023 – Nicole Munnerlyn
2024 – Jessica Garcia
2025 – CadyNell Keener
2026 – Lindsey Turner