Sumter's Iris Festival is South Carolina's oldest continuous festival and is consistently ranked among the top festivals in the Southeast. The 3-day festival includes concerts, an arts and crafts show, a flower show, a quilt show, car shows, and a number of contests and children's activities.  The fun begins the evening before the festival, with the annual Crowning of The King & Queen followed by the Taste at the Gardens, featuring great music and great food from some of the area's leading restaurants and caterers.