A large pig named Nelson ambles over to a metal hurdle after his handler, Les Kimes, offers him a “C’mon Nelson, it’s showtime!”
Nelson and another hog named Theodore performed stunts before cheering fans at the Pork Chop Revue at Fort Mill’s Strawberry Festival on Friday. A smaller pig weaved in and out of an agility course with pots of colorful flowers.
A hundred feet away, as a storm churned above Walter Y. Elisha Park, festival-goers huddled under a tent and waited for the Strawberry Hot Wing Eating Contest to start. Contestants, armed with plastic gloves, shoved Carolina Reaper flavored wings into their mouths.
Strawberry Festival beauty queens danced to music as D.J. Aiden churned out the pop tunes. Around the corner, kids packed an aviary full of parakeets where the youngsters fed the birds treats.
Friday was the first day of the festival that includes craft vendors, food trucks, carnival rides and concerts. The festival continues Saturday, with a finale of fireworks at 9:45 p.m.
For information about the festival, including events and parking information, visit scstrawberryfestival.com.
Les Kimes of Pork Chop Revue, shows off his hogs Friday, May 2, 2025 at the Strawberry Festival in Fort Mill TRACY KIMBALL tkimball@heraldonline.com
Jessica Pettit and 2-year-old Dawson Pettit ride the Merry Go Round Friday, May 2, 2025 at Fort Mill’s Strawberry Festival. TRACY KIMBALL tkimball@heraldonline.com
A hat vendor works his booth Friday, May 2, 2025 at the Strawberry Festival in Fort Mill. TRACY KIMBALL tkimball@heraldonline.com
A girl reacts as a bird flutters near her face Friday, May 2, 2025 at Fort Mill’s Strawberry Festival at the Pretty Bird Paradise exhibit. TRACY KIMBALL tkimball@heraldonline.com
8-year-old Liana Dicks of Fort Mill looks at bracelets Friday, May 2, 2025 at Fort Mill’s Strawberry Festival. TRACY KIMBALL tkimball@heraldonline.com
Madison Ceja works her way out of a house of mirrors Friday, May 2, 2025 at the Strawberry Festival in Fort Mill. TRACY KIMBALL tkimball@heraldonline.com
Emily Ramsey poses for a photo inside strawberry-shaped balloons Friday, May 2, 2025 as Larissa Talley snaps a picture. TRACY KIMBALL tkimball@heraldonline.com
Children fly down a large slide Friday, May 2, 2025 at Fort Mill’s Strawberry Festival. TRACY KIMBALL tkimball@heraldonline.com
Debbie Towles, left, looks at wooden bowls as Toni Peterson explains how they are made Friday at the Strawberry Festival in Fort Mill, S.C. TRACY KIMBALL tkimball@heraldonline.com
Shoppers browse at the The Pink Boutique at Fort Mill’s Strawberry Festival on Friday, May 2, 2025. TRACY KIMBALL tkimball@heraldonline.com
Thousands of people gathered Friday for Fort Mill’s annual Strawberry Festival. Among the exhibits include Pretty Bird Paradise, shown here, where festival-goers can immerse themselves in an aviary with more than a hundred parakeets. TRACY KIMBALL tkimball@heraldonline.com
7-year-old Case Fickle feeds a bird Friday, May 2, 2025 at the Pretty Bird Paradise exhibit at Fort Mill’s Strawberry Festival. TRACY KIMBALL tkimball@heraldonline.com
A crowd gathers to watch the Pork Chop Revue Friday at the Strawberry Festival in Fort Mill. TRACY KIMBALL tkimball@heraldonline.com
This story was originally published May 3, 2025 at 5:00 AM.
