eSTEAM Festival is returning to Sumter in October

Sumter's eSTEAM Festival is returning on Oct. 2 after having to skip 2020 because of the pandemic. It is a family event where all ages are welcomed.

Since its first time in 2018, the festival has been planned for the first Saturday in October to coincide with the first Friday in October being known as National Manufacturing Day.

According to themanufacturinginstitute.org, National Manufacturing Day is intended to encourage manufacturing companies and institutions to open their doors to students, teachers and families in order to empower the next generation to pursue high-skill and high-tech jobs.

The Sumter eSTEAM Festival will provide an opportunity for local manufacturing organizations to participate in National Manufacturing Day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

"We are planning to have the full festival. We will, of course, just by design of the festival, have interactive activities," said the manager of communications and strategic initiatives at Sumter Economic Development, Erika Williams. "Our plan is for business as usual, but it is very largely dependent upon participation from vendors and industries. Our goal is to have, like in year two, a parade and stage shows and everything.

"So, we really focus on science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics. So, our goal is to reinstate that. There's typically an art competition that goes along with it and the STEAM adventures where there's inflatables and other activities for kids, all with a science explanation."

Sumter Economic Development is searching for vendors and industries to become involved in the event to provide a fun-filled educational experience for Sumter residents of all ages.

Sumter's eSTEAM Festival is the third-largest science festival in the state behind those in Charleston and Greenville.

"We usually say that ages 3 to 83 are welcome because we have participation at the high school and collegiate level, but we also have lots of elementary school participation, and we see parents and grandparents out with baby strollers," Williams said.

According to sumtersc.gov, the eSTEAM Festival received an award for excellence in economic development for 2019. In 2020, the festival was awarded the Excellence on Main Street Award.

Those interested in becoming exhibitors, vendors or sponsors are encouraged to visit esteamsumter.com.

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