YMCA prepping for more than 200k to attend Summerville Flowertown Festival

SUMMERVILLE, SC (WCSC) - Preps for the 42nd Flowertown Festival are now in full swing. Over 200,000 expected to hit the streets of historic downtown Summerville this weekend.

It takes a small army of hundreds to pull off one of the Lowcountry's largest festivals.

"It's kind of that good stress," said Kim Taylor, Chief Operations Officer of Summerville Family YMCA.

The YMCA has been organizing the Flowertown Festival for 9 months. Now it's crunch time with just days to go.

"No vacation, no sick leave, no nothing. You have to come rain or shine," said Taylor.

The staff of about 18 can't get it all done by themselves.

Taylor said, "We probably use about 150, 180 volunteers."

A team with the Town of Summerville helped to block sections along neighborhood streets.

Crews with the Snyder Rental company are building nearly 40 tents for the event.

Tent Supervisor Melvin Drayton said, "It shouldn't take no more than about 5 hours."

Food vendors were also hard at work.

Taylor says there'll be more than enough to go around.

"Bring your appetite. There will be lots of restaurants, not just from Summerville but around the Lowcountry also," said Taylor.

The big ferris wheel is up and crews will bring in more rides by Thursday.

With the flowers in full bloom and the behind the scenes preparations coming together, Summerville's Main Street will soon be ready for one of the Lowcountry's largest festivals.

Proceeds from the festival will support the Summerville Family YMCA.

The festival will kick off at 9 o'clock Friday morning

Free shuttles will also be offered. The pickup and drop off will be at Heritage Square at Highway 78 and the Berlin G. Myers Parkway.

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