Join us for Brookgreen’s Gullah Geechee Junkanoo Festival, a vibrant celebration of West African, Caribbean, and Gullah Geechee heritage. This event will feature presentations, African drumming and dancing, children’s crafts, and delicious food tastings. Enjoy live Afro-Brazilian Jazz by the all-female trio Sisters-In-Song and captivating Gullah storytelling by Veronica Gaillard. Come dressed in colorful, casual, or Afro-centric attire.  

Inspired by the Bahamian Junkanoo festival, our celebration highlights the rich cultural connections of the African Diaspora. Participate in mask decorating, craft activities, and explore exhibits such as “Gullah Geechee Gaardin,” “Seen, Heard, Esteemed,” “Lowcountry Trail,” and “From Chaos to Beloved Community.” Dance to the music, join the Junkanoo Mask Parade, and visit the Artisans Market for unique items. Don’t miss the opportunity to taste traditional Gullah and African-inspired dishes.  

The Gullah Geechee Junkanoo Festival will also recognize the recipients of the Huntington Exemplary Service Award, established in honor of Brookgreen Gardens’ founders, Anna and Archer Huntington. This prestigious award celebrates individuals who have made meaningful contributions to improving race relations in South Carolina, particularly within Georgetown and Horry Counties. The honorees’ commitment to unity, equity, and cultural understanding reflects the very essence of the festival’s mission. 

Highlights:  

• Presentations on West African, Caribbean, and Gullah Geechee heritage  

• African drumming and dancing by Wona Womalan  

• Children's crafts and mask decorating  

• Gullah Geechee food tastings and desserts  

• Live Afro-Brazilian Jazz by Banda del Alma 

• Gullah storytelling with Veronica Gaillard  

• Exhibits and Artisans Market  

• Junkanoo Mask Parade  

See full schedule here

Celebrate heritage and community at Brookgreen Gardens' Gullah Geechee Junkanoo Festival. We look forward to seeing you there! 

“This project is funded in part by the South Carolina Arts Commission which receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts.”

Bring your family heirlooms, archival material, antique weapons, and historic artifacts, especially those that relate to the history of South Carolina. We will photograph them, create an objects database, and provide an opportunity for you to lend them for future exhibitions.

Experts will be on hand to identify and provide information about your objects. For large items, bring good photographs from more than one angle. Everything from kitchen implements to fine silver and furniture to farm tools will be welcome. But, no human remains, grave goods, or looted artifacts. This is not an appraisal event.

We have eight experts covering the following areas to identify your objects:

· Fine art: paintings, drawings, sculpture

· Decorative arts: china, porcelain, crystal, silver

· Jewelry

· Furnishings: have good quality photographs from all sides and dimensions if too large to bring in

· Natural History and Sporting Art: prints and lithographs including works by 18th to 20th century artists such as Audubon, Catesby, Benson, Ettinger, and others depicting plants, animals, and hunting/fishing scenes

· Weapons: guns, swords, knives, accoutrements, other metal and wood objects

· Tools: agricultural, woodworking, building, home

· Quilts

· Rugs

· Archival material: photographs, portraits, books, letters, ledgers, receipts, maps, charts

Help us celebrate Brookgreen Gardens’ 94th Birthday! Please contact Kay Filar at 843-235-6034 or kfilar@brookgreen.org to reserve your appointed time.

Guests will enter the showcase of Barnyard Friends, as delightful characters come to life in a forest full of surprises, treats, and fun. The search for treats will feature a trip around the Enchanted Storybook Forest and Lowcountry Zoo. Children and their guardians will receive a map at the registration table leading them to areas where items for their spring baskets can be found. Families will enjoy meeting and taking photos with favorite Barnyard characters, such as a Duck, Fox, Frog, other friendly animals, and of course, a Rabbit! The sightings of live animals throughout the Lowcountry Zoo and playground structures in the Storybook Forest will be fun and exciting for all.

Please remember to bring a basket for each child. We’re sure every child will find lots of goodies! Don’t forget your cameras. 

 Limited reservations are available for this members-only event. The cost for each child is $20 (ages 12 and under, please).

You only need to purchase tickets for the children you will be bringing.