Okra Strut – Annual Festival in Irmo, South Carolina!

Shortly after moving back to my home state of South Carolina, my husband and I were riding through the town of Irmo, located in Lexington County, not far from Columbia, the capital of SC. Irmo is not far from Lake Murray constructed between 1927 and 1930, covering an area of 78 square miles with 649 miles of shoreline. We saw banners and signs announcing the upcoming OKRA STRUT and began to question the locals and learned a most intersting and creative bit of history for the town of Irmo, SC.

The city of Irmo was chartered in 1890 and named for two officers of the local railroad, Irdell and Mosley – thus IRMO. In 1973 the Women’s Club of Lake Murray and Irmo, interested in raising money to build a new library, wanted to do something special. Gene McKay, a WIS Radio personality was taken by the small, downtown Irmo store named “The Ancient Irmese General Store”. Irmese, you ask? What were the Ancient Irmese? Mr. McKay thought perhaps they were probably short individuals, who were farmers and lived off of OKRA!

The first OKRA Strut was held in October of 1973 (nine years after I had moved from the Columbia area) and the Women’s Club began the annual standing tradition of frying and selling Okra. In 1980 the Okra Strut was held outside for the first time. Through the years, many activities have added during the two day event. Just how does a community celebrate a slimy green veggie?

If you are ever in the Irmo, South Carolina region during September, check out this festival. A number of activities and events create a down-home, friendly atmosphere. The local golf club gets into the act and holds the Okra Strut Charity Golf Tournament. After golfing or watching the celebraties golf, why not take part in the Official Opening, which consist of a street dance, music provided by local musicians and a variety of activities. Of course, you will have the chance to take part in the Okra-Eating Contest. Did you know Okra can be eaten fried, curried, with potatoes or shrimp and the ever famous Chicken and Okra Gumbo?!

To end the first day of the Okra Strut, fireworks will fill the evening sky.

The next day, there are several physical competitions to challenge the locals. What about a 6.2 mile 10k that begins on the Lexington side of Lake Murray Dam and ends in Irmo? In addition to the 10K, there is a bicycle race. If running and cycling are not your speed, you can sign up for the Okra Strut Volkmarch. The Volmarch is a 10K, non-competitive walk mapped out along Lake Murray Blvd between 8:00am – Noon.

The Okra Strut Parade is South Carolina’s largest festival parade. There are more than 100 units, including floats, bands, beauty queens and “the famous IRMO OKRA MAN”. Throughout the day, visitors can enjoy the food, a petting zoo, rides/amusements, arts and crafts exhibits and another Okra Eating Contest just for kids! Those bands will be playing for your entertainment throughout the afternoon.

During the year, Irmo hosts many other special events, Spring Things Craft Show in March, Lake Murray Poker Run every April, May is the Irmo Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament, Lake Murray Celebration in July, Miss South Carolina Pageant in July, the Miss Irmo Pageant in August and the Irmo Christmas Parade in December. A fun-filled year of activities for all.

Believe me, I was so pleased to learn of the OKRA Strut and it will be a tradition in our family from now on. Visit the URL in the resources section and find out how you can become part of a growing tradition.