Spud Love: South Carolina Sweet Potato Festival puts spotlight on food, fun

From local reports
Published: October 7, 2008

What draws more than 25,000 people to downtown Darlington for the annual South Carolina Sweet Potato Festival? It could be the musicians, singers, dancers, gymnasts, martial arts performers, magicians and puppeteers. It could be the more than 100 vendors who sell their wares from jewelry, crafts and clothing to furniture, floral arrangements and ceramics.

Chances are, however, that it’s the promise of sampling the star of the festival that lures most visitors from across the state. It sure doesn’t take long for the sweet potato-lovin’ throngs to snap up the pies, the fries and other tasty offerings at what is essentially a food fest. Rounding out the menu will be freshly made funnel cakes, hot dogs, cakes, peanuts, popcorn and other fall favorites. Can’t you almost smell it now?

After you get your fill, there’s still plenty to see and do, so stick around. In addition to the above mentioned attractions, there also will be an antique car show and raffles throughout the day. Children especially are big winners at the South Carolina Sweet Potato Festival as organizers make sure each year that there’s no shortage of activities for the 12 and younger crowd. A rock-climbing wall, giant slide, bungee jump, jumping castle, pony ride, sand art and more will be putting smiles on little faces.

The 26th Annual South Carolina Sweet Potato Festival, sponsored by the Pilot Club of Darlington, begins at 9 a.m. Saturday on the Public Square in Darlington. Opening ceremonies will begin at 10 a.m. with festivities concluding at 4 p.m.

IF YOU’RE GOING
WHAT: 26th Annual South Carolina Sweet Potato Festival
WHEN: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday
WHERE: Public Square in Darlington
ADMISSION: Free
INFO: (843) 395-2940

SWEET POTATO FESTIVAL SCHEDULE
9 a.m.: Festival begins/Antique Car Show on Cashua Street
9:10 a.m.: Souls of Silas
10 a.m.: Opening Ceremony and Balloon Release
10:20 a.m.: Puppet Love
10:50 a.m.: Patsy Hathcock Dancers
11:15 a.m.: Larry Flowers
11:30 a.m.: Curtis Boyd’s Karate teams at top of Cashua Street
11:45 a.m.: Blake Evans
12:15 p.m.: Jackie Lynn Jernigan
12:35 p.m.: Anna Mills Palatty, Miss Darlington Teen 2008
12:50 p.m.: Cecilia Hamilton Sprawls Dancers
1:15 p.m.: Chelsey and Kasey Mozingo
1:45 p.m.: Puppet Love
2:15 p.m.: Lesa Hudson and Friends
2:45 p.m.: Kendall Standish Singers

SWEET POTATOES — THE LOCAL SCOOP
The sweet potato long has been a state favorite, often used as a vegetable or dessert or in breads, cakes or cookies. South Carolina growers harvest about 4,000 acres of sweet potatoes annually, valued at about $6 million. Darlington is among one of the top producing counties in the state. Jewel, by far the most popular variety, accounts for 90 percent of the sweet potato acreage. Check out these recipes:

DARLINGTON SWEET POTATO PIE
Ingredients:
8 medium-size Jewel sweet potatoes (baked, peeled and mashed)
2 ¼ cups granulated sugar
2 ½ sticks butter or margarine
9 eggs
3 teaspoons vanilla
2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 teaspoon allspice
½ teaspoon salt
3 9-inch pie crusts

Let butter warm to room temperature. Cream with sugar. Add beaten eggs, vanilla, cinnamon, allspice, salt and sweet potatoes. Mix well. Pour into three 9-inch pie shells. Bake at 350 degrees until custard is set. Use a crust shield if crust is browning too quickly. Let cool, and top with fresh whipped cream if you wish. Makes 3 pies.

Sweet Potato Pancakes
¼ lb. Jewel sweet potatoes, grated
3 eggs
¼ cup all-purpose flour
½ tsp. baking soda
¼ tsp. nutmeg
1/8 tsp. salt, pepper, and allspice
1 small onion, finely chopped
Use paper towels to squeeze excess water from potatoes.

Mix all ingredients in bowl. Heat oil in skillet and cook potatoes in ¼-cup size portions. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side until golden. Serve with sour cream and apple sauce.