Vendors prepare for big Flowertown Festival this weekend

SUMMERVILLE, SC (WCSC) - More than 250,000 people are expected to make their way to Summerville this weekend for the annual Flowertown Festival.

Crews have been setting up all week in preparation for the big event, putting some long hard hours into getting their product on display. Tents upon tents line the road on Main Street, but come the weekend it's going to be packed with foot traffic.

"There's always new vendors her," Jan Parsons, Branch Director for the Summerville YMCA, said. "We have some of the same returning, but there's always new ones coming in."

Between 400 and 500 booths expected to be on display this weekend. In its 43rd year the Flowertown Festival is still going strong. Attracting businesses locally and from across the country.

"It's gridlock, just thousands, I don't know how many people come to this show, but a ton," Gerri Pizzini, owner of Gerri Pizzini Jewelry, said. "The restaurants are always packed, hotels are sold out."

"It's one of the best festivals in the area," Jeanine Gantt, owner of The Charleston Soap Chef, said. "I've heard great things about it from people from other states as well. It's right in my backyard so I've got to be here."

For years it's been ranked in the top 20 events in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society. A survey done a few years ago shows over a one million dollar economic impact to the area.

"People are just astonished that many people come," Parsons said. "It just has a great reputation. People know it's a great place to come, it's a great family activity."

The festival is similar to past years; plenty of arts and crafts, and of course flowers, food and games.

"The people are nice and friendly and it's just a blast to be here," Max Gonzalez, a grower at The Hickory Nut, said.

Of course the key for these vendors is attracting people to their booths, this means creativity is crucial.

"You want to look like a boutique," Pizzini said explaining her idea behind the booth. "You want to be able to breakdown quick, set up quickly, and yet make it look like a nice little store."

But the number on goal of the weekend… "Sell out," Gonzalez laughed.

The festival is still going to be held despite the weather, however if there's lightening that could change.

It all kicks off Friday at 9 a.m.