Branchville’s Raylrode Daze Festivul will return for the 56th year this weekend.

Live entertainment, crafts, food, games and face painting will be among this year’s festival features.

“We’re going to have live bands, food trucks, games, bounce houses for kids, a little bit of everything for all ages,” festival President Flynn Dickson said.

“I think this year we’ll have a band that kind of goes back into the ‘80s and ‘70s to get that age group more involved. Then we’ve got the games that bring in the young kids, and the face painting, crafts and little shops. It’s a little bit of everything for everybody,” he said.

Dickson said the festival has become a town tradition.

“With my family, we’ve had six generations involved in this going back to my great-grandmother. She was a part of it. I think it’s just the family, the community coming together and having something we take pride in,” he said.

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Raylrode Daze is an annual celebration of the town’s unique place in railroad history.

It was reportedly home to the oldest railroad junction in the world, dating back to the creation of the railroad between Charleston and Augusta in the 1830s.

Festival events started off with a kickoff on Sunday and will run through Saturday, Sept. 28.

2024 Scejule of Events

Thursday, Sept. 26

• 5:30 p.m. – Fun and bingo in the Red Dog Saloon sponsored by the Branchville Beta Club. Donations accepted only.

• 7–9 p.m. – Music by Dylan Carter, finalist from The Voice

Friday, Sept. 27

• Noon – Opening ceremonies at the Freight Depot

• 2 p.m. to midnight – Arts and crafts, concessions, fun zone

• 2 p.m. – Jim Bogstad & The Pea Ridge Posse

• 3:15 p.m.-6 p.m. – DJ Dwayne Brickle

• 4 p.m. – Cal Smoak Special Rides Begin, $2 per rider, children under 6 free

• 5:30 p.m. – Registration for pet show

• 6 p.m. – Pet show begins

• 6:45 p.m. – Kangaroo Court

• 7:15 p.m. – Can Can Girls

• 7:30 p.m. – Gunfighters perform

• 8 p.m.-until – Soundz of Legacy Band on Edward Street; Collie Jennings Band in Branch Junction

Saturday, Sept. 28

Events around town: Cal Smoak Special, fun zone, arts and crafts, concessions, food trucks and games

• 9 a.m. – Parade line-up at Horton Field/MUSC gym. Parade will continue down Freedom Road and disband at the old Branchville High School on Barton Street. All floats and entries park at old school or at the church.

• 11 a.m. – Parade begins. Roads are closed.

• Noon – Branch Junction Stage – awarding of parade trophies

• 12:30 p.m. – BYS Cheerleaders perform

• 1 p.m. – Hula hoop contest – all ages

• 1:30 p.m. – French fry eating contest – adults. Sign-up begins at 1:15 p.m.

• 2 p.m. – Can Can Girls

• 2:15 p.m. – Kangaroo Court

• 2:30 p.m. – Gunfighters perform

• 3 p.m. – Costume contest (kids and adults)

• 3:30 p.m. – Spike-driving contest for kids and adults

• 4:30 p.m. – Womenless beauty contest

• 5 p.m. – Can Can Girls

• 5:30 p.m. – Gunfighters perform

• 6 p.m. – Kangaroo Court

• 6:30 p.m. – Carolina Dancers

• 7:15 p.m. – Can Can Girls and honoring our seniors

• 7:30 p.m. – Closing comments/festival officials

• 7:45 p.m. – Last gunfighters’ performance

• 8 p.m.-until – Kids in America, Solid Gold Tribute Band, Edward Street; DJ Arson in Branch Junction

Contact the writer: dgleaton@timesanddemocrat.com or 803-533-5534. Follow “Good News with Gleaton” on Twitter at @DionneTandD

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