The Sundial Festival brought out the best of Barnwell.
Inspired by the past Festival on the Round, the Sundial Festival welcomed not only Barnwell residents but also residents from surrounding counties to the city’s downtown Circle.
A video recap of the 2023 Barnwell Sundial Festival.
Local vendors set up booths to share their craft next to not-so-local vendors who may have been experiencing the festival for the first time.
Food trucks served up seafood platters, burgers, kettle corn, sweet treats, shaved ice, pork skins, and much more making sure no attendees left hungry.
Some of the many food options were Sea Island Geechee Kitchen, Bearded Chef, The Cookie Coop, Coastal Kettle Corn and Pork Skins, and SIPS.
“The Sundial Festival was a fun-filled day. We want to thank everyone that helped make it happen and everyone that attended to support it. We look forward to making it better every year,” said Amy Davis, Sundial Festival vendor coordinator.
Davis, Ashley Kearse Culp, Elizabeth Ringus, Ronnie McClain, Barbara Christian, Rachel Hair, and Deanian Scully serve on the board to bring the event together.
Barnwell twirlers of all ages performed for the crowd alongside musical entertainment from The Back Row Band, First Baptist Church Praise Team, Dwayne Waden Jr., Jacob Sanders, Rick Rudd, and Tony Carson.
Crowds gathered for the entertainment as well as the inaugural Miss Sundial Festival Pageant emceed by Pastor Bart Kelley.
Lane Jeffers came in first in the Tiny Master division. Jeffers was also voted most photogenic by the judges. Harper Folk won the Tiny Miss division.
Lynnlee Price won the crown for Baby Miss and most photogenic. Rylei Amour Roberts was crowned in the Toddler Miss Sundial division for 13-23 month-olds.
In the Petite Miss category, Brittleigh Sailor Still came in first. First runner-up was Emma Chavis and second runner-up was Rylan Thompson who was also named most photogenic.
For Little Miss, Alexis McCormick took home the crown. Eliana Cruikshank was first runner-up and most photogenic. Sydney Jackson was second runner-up.
Alyssa Carter won the Young Miss category and was also named the most photogenic.
Nakoma Zara Madyun was crowned in the Jr. Miss division. Madyun was also named the overall Sweetheart Winner for receiving the most signatures prior to the event.
Alee Hooper was crowned and voted most photogenic in the Miss Sundial category.
The overall beauty winner was Rilee Sandifer. Sandifer had the highest overall beauty score.
Thirty-two vehicles were entered in the car, truck, and bike show, making it the largest showout the festival has seen.
“I want to thank all of the car, truck, bike show entries for coming out and making this the largest show we’ve ever had,” said Christian.
Nine awards were given away for the car show and bike cruise. Todd Grubbs won the People’s Choice Award for his motorcycle entry with his golden Harley Davidson.
Other winners included Ron Still, Morgan Baxley, Mark Rosenberger, Joey Smoak, Rick Garrick, and Tom Shehee.
In addition to the increased participation in the vehicle show, the raffle was also a big hit selling more tickets than previous years totalling $460 of proceeds.
The grand raffle prize was a 50-inch smart television donated by Farmers Home Furniture. Some other items were gift certificates to local businesses, oil changes, a disc golf set, plants, and much more.
All the proceeds for the vehicle show, raffle, and a percentage of the festival proceeds will go to the Trap, Neuter, Vaccinate, Return (TNVR) program to help care for Barnwell County’s community cats. A check will be presented to the TNVR committee on June 4 at 4 p.m. on the Circle.
For more information on the event, visit www.barnwellsundial.com/.
A special thank you from the Barnwell Sundial Committee to:
Gary Brantley
Stephanie Kemmerlin
Sarah Poplin
Ron Still
Greg Culp
Neo Culp
Heather Cannon Bessinger
Virginia Nettles
Pam Rush
Nicole Conklin
Kirah Elizabeth
Bart Kelley
John Buwalda
City of Barnwell
City of Barnwell Police Department
City of Barnwell Fire Department
