Serving Barnwell County and it's neighbors since 1852

Hilda's Hometown Festival brings big fun to small town

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Each October, the Town of Hilda invites the community to celebrate their annual Hometown Festival. A large crowd came out this year to partake in the fun. 

“This festival is a labor of love for our Hometown Festival Committee, our Mayor and Council, and our Volunteer Fire Department,” said Mayor April Hutto. “There are SO MANY hands that go into planning and executing this day! Each person has a very important role to play and handles their area with grace and professionalism. We are so blessed to have so many talented individuals in our town who are willing to SERVE.”

Entertainment started early on October 12 with a pottery session followed by vendors and food trucks lining the Hilda depot. A Kid’s Zone was full of activities for all ages sponsored by local businesses, organizations, and families. 

A car cruise-in, ax throwing, and pick-up cornhole games all opened before the parade kicked off. 

Throughout the entire afternoon performers hit the stage–Kristie Hutson, Back Row Band, Phil Falso, Trouble, and DJ Gary Brantley. Into the evening, participants were welcomed to a street dance while country music artist Cody Webb performed.

Mayor Hutto thanked the Barnwell County Sheriff’s Office for their patrol and participation, as well as the Hilda Volunteer Fire Department “for their pre-festival cleaning of the streets, providing traffic and lighting control, and for all of the ‘unseen’ safety precautions that they put into place,” she said. 

“From the bottom of my heart, and with utmost respect and appreciation, thank you to our committee members who have met and prayed over this day for months. Thank you, Evelyn Gardner, Estelle Still, Jackie Bowers, Darla Buwalda, Pete Buwalda, Angela Sharpe, Thomas Sharpe, Amy Roberts and Family, Perinda Murray and Family, Emily and Jacob Garner, and Ray Still for serving selflessly on this committee and putting action behind your words. Thank you to Council Members Allison Beasley and Timmy Black for being the right and left hand in this whole operation, for putting in countless late night hours doing things for the festival and for the Town to get everything ready. I appreciate your dedication to Hilda more than you will ever know,” said Mayor Hutto.