May 2022 Council Highlights

  • The city continues to add new tools to help with litter cleanup. We recently announced the arrival of our new Litter Vac Truck. This truck will deploy around the city to help pick up litter. The truck picks up through a vacuum arm. While it will help, the most important tool we have is YOU!
    • Please do not throw your trash out on our streets. Please dispose of your trash in appropriate containers. And please secure all loads, no matter the size, to keep trash from blowing off your trucks and trailers.
    • Also, we invite everyone to join us for our bi-monthly Community Clean-Up Days:
      • June 18
      • August 20
      • October 15
      • December 17
    • Even if one of these days doesn’t fit your schedule, pick your own day to help. Contact our Litter Office for supplies and we’ll help schedule bag pickup too - sumtersc.gov/litter
  • The City also continues to have several career positions available... construction, carpenters, inspectors, code enforcement, recreation, police officers, firefighters, and many more. Apply online at sumtersc.gov.
  • The Sumter Area Transportation Study Metropolitan Planning Organization (SUATS MPO) is developing the Sumter Walk - Bike Master Plan. The Plan will recommend improvements for the long-term vision of connecting the area with a network of bicycle and pedestrian facilities that expand routes throughout the community that are safe, convenient, and comfortable for all users. They are seeking the communities input in their online survey --click this link to access the survey... sumtersc.gov/walkbike
  • Sign up your youth for 2022 Destined to Succeed Mobile Mission Basketball Camp today! Camp is FREE! June 6-10, 2022 for 3rd-12th grade Boys & Girls. These camps are to provide instruction to participants in the fundamentals of basketball in ball handling, passing, defense, shooting, rebounding, and sportsmanship. Each participant will develop individual skills to improve performance as a team player. Download the application on our website at sumtersc.gov or pick up a copy at the North HOPE Center, located at 904 N. Main Street, Sumter, SC.

While more events are listed on our website calendar at sumtersc.gov. Some highlights to the current community calendar are:

  • Mary McLeod Bethune Legacy Festival is happening this weekend in Mayesville. The festival is Saturday and Sunday, with a parade on Saturday at 11AM and events in the downtown Mayesville area, with an open mic night Saturday night. Kids activities available both days. The parade Grand Marshall this year is actor Louis Gosset Jr., with other special guests including gospel choirs, Senator Kevin Johnson, retired Harlam Globetrotters and more! For more details check out their facebook page or call the Sumter Visitors Center at 803-436-2640.
  • 80th Iris Festival is coming up next weekend May 26-29 at Swan Lake Iris Gardens. The festival includes an 80s party, unique arts & crafts shopping, plants & flowers, classic cars, contests, entertainment, and lots of kids’ activities. Free admission & parking.
    • It officially opens on Thursday at 6PM with the Crowning of the King and Queen and the Taste at the Gardens. There is a $5 fee at the gate, which helps raise money for next years festival.
    • Friday and Saturday 10AM-6PM and Sunday 10AM-5PM. A full schedule can also be found online at IrisFestival.org
  • Sumter Little Theatre presents Mamma Mia this Spring. Opening night is next Thursday, May 26 and the performance runs for two weeks. The show is currently sold out, but if it’s on your list of “must-haves” you can go to the theatre the night of the show to see if there are any cancellations. For other upcoming shows, visit sumterlittletheatre.com.
  • Fourth Fridays return to Downtown Sumter again this year, starting Friday, May 27 at 6:30. This is outdoor concert held on Main Street in front of the Opera House. Attendance is free. Bring a chair, but no coolers, please. Food and beverage vendors will be available onsite. The Summer schedule includes a variety of bands, with:
    • Too Much Sylvia on May 27
    • Jus Tru Blac on June 24
    • BadWater on July 22
    • Level 10 Live Band & Show on August 26
    • Second Nature on September 23 

Fourth Fridays is sponsored by the City of Sumter and Yannis. For more information, visit www.DowntownSumter.org.

  • The Red Clay Strays are a one-of-a-kind band from South Alabama making their third appearance at the Sumter Opera House and quickly becoming a crowd favorite. With influences ranging from Johnny Cash, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Jerry Lee Lewis, and Waylon Jennings to southern gospel, they blur the line between country and southern rock. They just released their debut album MOMENT OF TRUTH! They return to our stage on May 27 at 8 PM. Tickets are from $23-29 and are available online at sumteroperahouse.com.
  • The Sumter Opera House is bringing back the Summer Cinema Series. Showtimes are 10AM, 1PM and 7PM. Admission is $1.50 and concessions will be available onsite. The schedule is every Tuesday June 7 through August 2. A full schedule is available at sumteroperahouse.com.
  • The annual Carolina Backcountry Springtime will be held Saturday, May 14 from 10AM – 4PM as we travel back to the year 1800 in the backcountry of South Carolina. You'll see costumed interpreters demonstrating skills like spinning and weaving, blacksmithing, cooking over an open fire, and more! They'll have games and toys for children to try. And they’re bringing back the weaponry display! Don't forget to try some food samples including biscuits, freshly churned butter, stews, pies, and more! This is a FREE event that is fun for all ages.
    • All museum facilities including the Temple Sinai Jewish History Center will be open for free from 10AM to 4PM the same day. More info at sumtercountymuseum.org/
  • City Council meetings are held on the first Tuesday at 1 PM and on the third Tuesday at 5:30 PM on the 4th floor of the Sumter Opera House (enter through the back entrance off the parking lot). Public comments may also be submitted online anytime through our website at sumtersc.gov/council/meetings, or city citizens can contact the Mayor or their Councilmember any time prior to any meeting to discuss a concern or idea you may have for the City. For our regularly scheduled meetings, agendas are announced the Friday before each meeting on our website and include links to detailed agenda items as well as location and more. Next month our regularly scheduled meetings are on June 7 at 1 PM and June 21 at 5:30 PM.