Black Cowboy Festival

My heart belongs to the country even though I currently live in the suburbs. I felt the need to pull out a pair of cowboy boots and dust off a cowboy hat when I heard about the Black Cowboy Festival being held outside of Sumter, SC.  This event is sponsored by the Black Cultural Enlightenment Society and this year marked the 13th event held.  The founders of this event by a black family purchasing land that was used by their families for sharecropping. The Myers Family plays host to different community events including activities for local 4-H clubs and other family events. The Black Cowboy festival came about from the talk that families in the community had never seen a black family with horses.

This event had a down home southern feel filled with music, good food and of course horse competitions. Folks  proudly sported their their cowboy hats and boots. There was a strong sense of community as different groups provided entertainment for the crowd including high school marching bands, jazz bands, story tellers, and African dance.  While this event is held over 4 days, I was only able to attend one day. There is a full schedule events that includes a fish fry, line dancing, trail rides and educational workshops for youth.  Campsites are also available for those who wish to stay for the entire event wit your RV or trailer.

The festival had several tents that allowed guests to enjoy the shade during the day. Vendors were on site for people to purchase a variety of items and some down home country cooking . My favorite vendors were sold all cowboy related items such as horse saddles, cowboy hats and boots. 

On the property there is also a homestead village  filled with vintage items from a single room cabin that share croppers who once lived on the land. Guests are allowed to walk though the cabin and see life as it would have been over 100 years ago. It really opens your eyes to see how simplistic life was with everything you would ever need in one room. 

The homestead 

Attendees were also able to enjoy horse racing competitions. My family only raises cows so I was excited to see all of the horses. I was  also very excited to see cowgirls holding their own as the competitors raced through the obstacle course for the best time. Horse rides and wagon rides were also available through out the day. It was unbelievably hot so if you wish to enjoy this event make sure to bring lots of water, sun screen, and a lawn chair. Don't be afraid to get dirty and have some good old fashioned down home fun!

I know I can't wait until next years event and will be bringing my dad along for the ride!