HISTORY:

In 1979 the Pilot Club of Aynor, South Carolina, needed funds for community projects. Doris Koon, a club member, suggested having a festival and the Aynor Harvest HoеDown Festival was born. The first year in September, 1979, the welcome speech was given to about 1,000 people from the back of a large truck. The welcome speech is now given from a stage under the Aynor Town Park shelter to a crowd of 22,000-26,000 people.

The Aynor Harvest Hoe-Down Beauty Pageant is held on the second Saturday in September at the Aynor High School Auditorium. The pageant groups are Little Baby Miss, Baby Miss, Toddler Miss, Tiny Miss, Little Miss, Petite Miss, Junior Miss, Teen Miss, and Miss. The Pageant begins at 3:00 PM.

A week later on the third Saturday in September, the Aynor Harvest Hoe-Down Festival begins with a Parade at 10:00 AM with a Grand Marshall, antique tractors and cars, many Shrine units, local bands, ROTC units, mascots, Queens, and several floats.

The Festival has Musical Entertainment under the Aynor Town Park Shelter from11:00 AM until 4:00 PM provided by: Aynor High Band and Chorus, Pageant winners, Aynor Middle Chorus, Midland Elementary Chorus, area Elementary School Talent winners, Conway Idol Winners, local singers, dance groups, and Gospel groups.

At the Festival, will be Arts & Crafts (over 185 vendors) such as wood crafts, metal crafts, jewelry, flower arrangements, plants, etc. Food includes Chicken Bog, Scones, Barbecue Sandwiches, Hamburgers, Funnel cakes, Pizza, Hot Dogs, and more; and Children's Entertainment with Moonwalk and Slide.