Frequently Asked Questions

The questions most commonly asked about attending the Irmo Okra Strut.

These are the Frequently asked questions we receive for attending the Irmo Okra Strut. If you are are a participant in the Irmo Okra Strut please look to our policies and procedures or contact us! 

Contact UsPolicies and Procedures

Maps

Okra Strut Festival Parking

Okra Strut FAQ:

1: Date and Times of Okra Strut?

Friday September 29th, 2023 starting around 6pm. We will have live musical performances, amusement rides, food and drinks. Ride-All-Night wristbands for $15 are back by popular demand. Ride all the rides you want for a price you cannot beat! Lastly we are excited to announce “Under The Canopy” will be back! Ready just in time for Friday at the Strut! Under the trees just beyond the stage we will have tables decorated for a nice dinner, with twinkling lights just over head. You will have a view of the stage in the distance and hear the music at the perfect level for a dinner conversation. As an added bonus, again this year all food vendors will be serving until 11pm and they will be offering your favorites right next to local artists and craft vendors.

Saturday September 30th 2023. The 49th Annual Irmo Okra Strut Parade will be held around 9am. The Grand Marshals will be announced soon! The parade will be located on St. Andrews RD, between Wescott Rd. and Lake Murray BLVD.

Saturday after the parade starting around 10am the Okra Strut festivities will begin in the Irmo Community Park. There will be dozens of vendors and exhibitors for you to stop by and participate. Many will have games or free samples as well as items for purchase. Under The Canopy will be another fun spot on Saturday with free crafting activities throughout the day for children and adults alike! Enjoy some shopping of local artists for those early holiday presents. The amusement rides will be up and running and we will have attractions on the big stage all day. These attractions include local performances, Okra Eating Contests and lots more.

2: Parking and Road Closures

Parking

We heard your complaints and want to make parking easier this year. Parking will be at the following locations:

  1. Irmo Elementary School Address: 7401 Gibbes St, Irmo, SC 29063
  2. Union United Methodist Church Address: 7582 Woodrow St, Irmo, SC 29063
  3. Irmo Community Park: 7473 Church St. Irmo SC 29063Onsite parking.
    Entrance cost $20.00 cash only
    Open Friday 9/29 from 5:30PM to 11:00PM Saturday open from 9:00AM to 10:00PM
    No overnight parking all cars must be removed at end of each day. Subject to ticket and or towing.
    No in and out privileges.
    Free shuttle is still running from our two other parking locations.
    Handicap bus is now picking up from Union United Church

Shuttle Buses will be at each location every 20 mins for pick up and drop off.

Road Closures

The South Carolina Department of Transportation has approved the following roads to be closed for the 2023 Okra Strut:
Friday Sept. 29th: ***FESTIVAL***

  • *Eastview Dr. (between Battery Rd. & Lake Murray Blvd.) 12pm UNTIL 11:30pm

Saturday Sept. 30th: ***PARADE***
The following roads will close at 8:50am, and the parade will start at 9am from Crossroads Middle:

  • *St. Andrews Rd. (between Wescott Rd. & Lake Murray Blvd.)
  • *Gibbes St. (Entire street)
  • *Lexington Ave. (between Gibbes St. & Lake Murray Blvd.)

***FESTIVAL***

  • *Eastview Dr. (between Battery Rd. & Lake Murray Blvd.) 6am UNTIL 11:30pm
  • Church street is one-way entire festival entering into park from Lake Murray, Mosley Street is one-way exiting from park.

3: Is there admission into the Okra Strut?

The festival is free to attend. Come enjoy the music, the park and all the exhibitors. Many vendors will charge for goods so make sure to bring money for food, drinks, shopping and amusement rides. We will have ATM’s for your convenience.

4: Amusement Rides

-Richland County Hospitality Tax Family Fun Zone-

Friday: 6:00-11:00 PM – Ride-all-night wrist band $20 each. Individual tickets $1 each.
Saturday: 10:30 AM – 10:00 PM – Individual tickets $1 each.
Rides range from 2 to 4 tickets per ride.

5: Can you bring your pet?

Due to security concerns in the park, NO Pets are allowed in the Okra Strut. Please understand these are special rules for the Okra Strut due to the amount of people that attend our festival, we love your pet and want it to stay safe! Thank you for complying with this rule.

6: Can you bring your own cooler?

No, we do not allow you to bring your own coolers. We will have food and drink vendors for you to purchase yummy goods from. This event is to raise money for community projects and local scholarship funds so we thank you for understanding and your generosity.

7: Does the Okra Strut have a Beauty Pageant?

At this time we currently do not have an Okra Strut Beauty Pageant. Maybe it will be offered in future festivals.

8: How can you participate in the Okra Strut?

We are always looking for volunteers. Contact us at info@okrastrut.com to find out how you can volunteer this year!! Find out how you can sponsor or be a vendor in the Irmo Okra Strut here!!

9: Can you bring chairs and blankets?

There will be seating around the whole park and in front of the pavilion. But you are welcome to bring your own chairs and blankets if you wish.

10: Do we only serve okra?

Ha! Whether it is because you want a lot of okra or you hate the stuff and want to make sure you can eat, this is a question we get quite a lot. The answer is no, we actually have a wide variety of food including everything from corn dogs and crab legs to gyros and of course, fried okra. We also have Pickled Okra and encourage any food trucks or restaurants that have an okra dish they can serve outside to sign up! 

11: What is an Okra Strut

The Irmo Okra Strut is a just a really fun day in our beautiful local park. We encourage you to get out, enjoy the sunshine and dance the night away! Who knows, you may even make a new friend! 

Follow The Okra Strut And Don’t Miss A Thing!

With so much packed into two days, you may want to follow us on Facebook so you can see all the great things we have for you to experience! 

Get in Touch

The Irmo Okra Strut is put on by volunteers that meet monthly at the Irmo Town Hall. We welcome you to join us at one of our monthly meetings. Or contact us at info@okrastrut.com.

Send all mail to: P.O. Box 406 Irmo, SC 29063