WINNSBORO — A full day of classic cars, live entertainment, and family fun is heading to downtown Winnsboro on Saturday, Oct. 24, when the Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce presents the annual Rock Around the Clock Festival.
Unlike past years when the festival spanned two days, this year’s celebration has been consolidated into an action-packed, 13-hour community marathon from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. centered around the historic Town Clock on Congress Street.
A major daytime highlight of the festival will be the Rock Around the Clock Cruise-In Car Show, running from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Registration is completely free for car owners wishing to display their vehicles. Organizers note that participants must arrive no earlier than 8:30 a.m. for staging. The car show will feature a massive display of classic and custom rides, attendee voting, and trophy presentations, situated alongside children’s amusements, craft vendors, and festival food trucks.
In addition to the classic car gathering, the Chamber is also hosting an Antique Tractor Show. Tractor owners planning to exhibit should email info@chamberfc.com with their contact details and the number of tractors they plan to bring.
Live entertainment will anchor the festival stage all day, offering a blend of rock, blues, country, and gospel. Christopher Hopkins and the Soul Session Band will headline the evening lineup. Leading up to the headliner, crowds will enjoy performances by the Fresh Picked String Band and Sam Cornelius and the Bye Band, with a festival DJ playing hits between sets.
Local student and community groups will also take the spotlight, including featured performances by the Patterson School of Dance, the Elite Ladies of Fairfield County School District, and local school performance ensembles.
Festival-goers can also take part in several friendly community competitions:
- Pie Baking Contest: Bakers are invited to enter their best homemade pies to be judged on-site during the festival, with ribbons awarded for first, second, and third place. Entrants must pre-register by emailing info@chamberfc.com with their name, contact information, and pie variety.
- Youth Pumpkin Decorating: Sponsored in partnership with Clemson Cooperative Extension and Fairfield County 4-H, this contest invites youth ages 3 to 18 to decorate small-to-medium pumpkins using paint, accessories, or craft supplies (no carving or cutting allowed). Entries will be displayed and judged during the festival across four age categories.
For shoppers, official Rock Around the Clock T-shirts are available in two designs for $20 each. Vintage festival shirts from 2024 and 2025 are also available at the Chamber office for $5 each while supplies last.
While all food truck and beverage vendor spots are completely filled, the Chamber is still accepting applications for arts, crafts, commercial, and nonprofit exhibitors. Interested vendors must submit their applications by this Friday’s deadline.
Safety Guidelines
Following protocols successfully used during the town’s Fourth of July celebration, the Chamber is partnering with Town of Winnsboro Public Safety and the Fairfield County Sheriff’s Office to maintain heightened security throughout the day:
- A clear backpack policy will be strictly enforced.
- No outside coolers will be permitted inside the festival zone.
- Youth supervision: All attendees under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian.
For car show details, vendor applications, or general information, call the Fairfield County Chamber of Commerce at 803-635-4242 or email info@chamberfc.com.