2019 South Carolina Humanities Festival – York County

The 25th Annual SC Humanities Festival will take place in York County on March 28 – 30, 2019. Presented by Visit York County, the 2019 festival will highlight the rich cultural history of York County and celebrate the arts and humanities. Other partners and sponsors include the Anne Springs Close Greenway, Arts Council of York County, Culture & Heritage Museums, Fort Mill History Museum, Historic Rock Hill, Kings Mountain National Military Park , Underexposed Film Festival, Women’s Art Initiative, Winthrop University, and York County Library.

Dr. Randy Akers, Executive Director of SC Humanities, said: “I am very happy that our 25th annual South Carolina Humanities Festival is in York County. This area is one of our fastest growing areas in the state, with a rich history and a dynamic cultural community buttressed by outstanding educational institutions and arts organizations.  Visit York County with its excellent staff has organized an extensive program that will educate, inform, and entertain. The local resident and out of town visitor will enjoy getting to know what makes York County a special place in our state.”

The full festival schedule can be seen HERE, and a sampling of some of the events is also listed below. The majority of the events are free and open to the public.

March 27 – 30 | Underexposed Film Festival YC – Dina’s Place, Winthrop University
The UFFyc is an award-winning, international, independent short film festival that showcases the best in indie filmmaking. Screened films focus on strength in storytelling, and include Q & A sessions with the filmmakers afterwards. Films were submitted from 30+ countries across all 7 continents. For full schedule & more information, visit underexposedfilmfestivalyc.org.

Thursday, March 28, 2019
10 am – 4 pm | “130 Years of Springs” Exhibit Fort Mill History Museum, 107 Clebourne St., Fort Mill
Springs Industries, Inc., once a leading textile manufacturer, began as an effort to save the lagging economy of a small southern town. It was for the people of Fort Mill that Samuel Elliott White and others organized the Fort Mill Manufacturing Company in 1887. With $52,500 and 10 acres of land, Captain White started a local project that would make Fort Mill the center of a global economy.

Thursday, March 28, 2019
11 am – 12 pm | Winthrop Authors Book Signing + Readings Barnes & Noble Bookstore at Winthrop
University Winthrop Alumni Authors Sarah and Morri Creech read selections from their award-winning books.

Friday, March 29, 2019
9 am – 5 pm | Micro-Fiction Writing Contest Announcement Fort Mill Public Library, 1818 2nd Baxter Crossing, Fort Mill
Micro-fiction writing contest winner will be announced Friday, March 29. Winning submission will be available to read Friday, March 29- Saturday, March 30.

Friday, March 29, 2019
10 – 11:30 am | Grant Writing Workshop Rock Hill Main Library, Moore Room, 138 East Black St.
Led by SC Humanities staff, this free workshop will introduce participants to grants available to institutions planning to host public programs in the humanities. Registration required. Call 803-981-5825 or visit events.yclibrary.org to register.

Friday, March 29, 2019
3 pm | Bicycle Brewery Tour The White Home, 258 E. White St., Rock Hill
Tour Rock Hill’s newest breweries and learn about Rock Hill history on bicycles – $5 per person (drinks not included). Tickets & additional info at historicrockhill.com/tickets

Saturday, March 30, 2019
10 am – 4 pm | Children’s Day on the Farm Historic Brattonsville, 1444 Brattonsville Rd., McConnells
Get immersed in the agricultural heritage of the Carolina Piedmont during “Children’s Day on the Farm.” The annual family event focuses on farm life in the Carolina Piedmont during the 18th and 19th centuries. *General Admission: Adults $10, Seniors $8, Youth 4-7 $6; free for CHM members and ages 3 and under. Brattonsville Road closed from 9:30 am-4:45 pm Look for detour.

Saturday, March 30, 2019
2 – 4 pm | Walking Tour – African American Historical Sites Freedom Walkway, Downtown Rock Hill
Join the African American Cultural Resource Association for a walking tour of historical African American sites in downtown Rock Hill.

Saturday, March 30, 2019
2 – 3:30 pm | Young Adult Poetry Slam Rock Hill Main Library, 138 E Black St., Rock Hill
Share your spoken word creations in a relaxed atmosphere & compete for fame + gift cards from local sponsors. (Ages 11-17)

**This is just a sampling of events; review the full schedule to see all the many arts and humanities opportunities taking place during the festival.**

SC Humanities sponsors the Humanities Festival annually in a community in South Carolina. Started in 1993 in honor of SC Humanities’ 20th Anniversary, the Humanities Festival has been held in eighteen different South Carolina cities. Each festival celebrates the local history and culture of the host community, engaging the citizens in lectures, discussions, films, and exhibits and facilitating partnerships between cultural organizations and community groups.