The Magical Annual Event That’s So Perfectly South Carolina

Forty seven years ago this May, some folks on the fringe of a wilderness area known as Hell Hole Swamp got together and created an annual event they called the Hell Hole Swamp Festival. That was back in 1971, and life in this part of South Carolina just hasn’t been the same ever since.

The Hell Hole Swamp Festival is held the first weekend in May in the tiny community of Jamestown (population 75) in Berkeley County.

It's here that each year a young woman and a young girl each advance to swamp royalty in the Miss and Little Miss Hell Hole Swamp contests. The winners get their own float in the annual Hell Hole Swamp Festival parade — which happens to be one of the highlights of the event.

The eclectic annual festival is produced by a group of citizens that comprise Hell Hole, Inc. Its mission is to foster community fellowship and growth. And grow it DOES each May during this fun celebration as thousands converge on the swamp to partake.

The festival kicks off with a parade, the likes of which you just won't see in the big cities in our state.

Seriously head-turning, jaw-dropping fun times are had at the Hell Hole Swamp Festival.

Each year some lucky strong arm takes home the trophy for the annual arm wrestling competition. Ladies, don't worry... they have one for you too.

There's an annual car show, most of which you'll also see passing by in the annual parade.

The name Hell Hole Swamp is likely derived from events during the American Revolution. Later, the swamp and its moss-draped cypress trees provided shelter during the prohibition for rebellious moonshiners who were said to inhabit the swamps in Berkeley County.

The heritage of Hell Hole Swamp is evident in this annual festival that features some down-home music. The stage... is a front porch, of course.

You'll also find arts and crafts, children's field games and an antique tractor show on tap.

No backroads festival in South Carolina would be complete, of course, without a midway. It's not a huge carnival, but it works and the kids love it.

When the chill in the air is nearly gone and you're breaking out the shorts for the upcoming season, you'll know it's about time for the annual Hell Hole Swamp Festival. Save the date: May 5, 2018 in Jamestown, South Carolina.

There’s no other event like it. Have you heard of the Hell Hole Swamp Festival, or have you experienced this magical event firsthand? We’d love to know.

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Robin Jarvis

Robin Jarvis is a travel writer and editor for OnlyInYourState.com with a bachelor's degree in Journalism. Her love for travel has taken her to many parts of the world. She's lived in the Carolinas for nearly three decades and currently resides in Charleston. When she's not working, she loves to cook with friends and check out new adventures. General questions and FAM tours: rjarvis@onlyinyourstate.com.