By Sean Kelly
Garden City might be part of the greater Savannah area, but it’s about to prove that it’s got an identity of its own with the first-ever Southern Roots Festival—an all-day celebration of the city and what it has to offer featuring live music, games, food, and fun. The festival is set for Sat., August 24, with doors at 1:45pm.
The idea began with the Garden City Convention & Visitors Bureau, who were looking for ways to attract people to the area, its many businesses, and its diverse community. It grew from there, and ultimately turned into the Garden City Southern Roots Food & Music Festival.
- Headliner Tracy Byrd.
“Garden City has a wonderful mix of both residential and business communities that value diversity and a community spirit. The Southern Roots Fest is a way to showcase our city and invite other communities to partake,” Bureau chairman Warren Boyle said in a statement.
The music lineup will feature a headlining set by the legendary Tracy Byrd, preceded by an incredibly diverse offering of artists including A Nickel Bag of Funk, Bottles & Cans, Chuck Courtenay, and more.
Byrd is perhaps best known for his 1993 hit “Holdin’ Heaven,” which is among thirty charted hits throughout his illustrious career. His most recent album, from 2016, was his first studio offering in a decade and garnered critical acclaim.
As for the food portion of the festival, there will be plenty of food trucks offering an eclectic mix of cuisine including barbecue, seafood, desserts, and more. Perhaps the biggest draw food-wise, though, is the fried chicken competition. Local restaurateurs and individuals will compete for the top fried chicken recipe—a contest that even chefs who don’t typically make fried chicken are clamoring to enter.
One of the event’s big presenting sponsors is Grainger Companies, including Grainger Honda and Grainger Nissan. Vice President Mark Grainger said he was delighted to be involved in such a unique and special event.
“The Grainger Family, including Grainger Honda and Grainger Nissan, have been part of the Garden City community for more than 50 years so when we heard about the Southern Roots Fest we wanted to make sure it would be a successful event for families, friends, neighbors and newcomers to enjoy,” Grainger said in a statement.
Another big sponsor is Garden City’s own Southern Eagle, who will make sure that beer is flowing as well as plenty of spiked seltzer—the current craze in the alcohol world. There will also, of course, be Coca Cola products on hand for kids and those who don’t want to drink.
Lawn games like cornhole will be available, as well as plenty of other activities for people of all ages to help make this a day to remember.
Tickets for the event are only $10 for attendees who arrive before 5pm, with prices increasing to $25 after that. Attendees are encouraged to come for the day and partake in everything the festival has to offer to take full advantage of the discounted pricing. They’re also welcome to bring blankets for lawn seating, but outside chairs will not be permitted.
The Convention & Visitors Bureau expressed excitement for the event in a statement, saying they were looking forward to providing the community and beyond with a fun day that showcases what makes Garden City so special.
“We’ve spent the last year planning something big in Garden City to share with others why we love Garden City,” Boyle said.
“I can’t think of a better place to bring up a family, have a business and be part of a great neighborhood, so we want to celebrate that with the people who live here and share it with those who come for the event.”
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