Financial issues could jeopardize Irmo's Okra Strut

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A year ago, roads at the Irmo Community Park were packed as okra was served to patrons.

For over 40 years, the Okra Strut has brought crowds out of the town. The two-day event features not only food but also rides and entertainment.

"We bring in about 40,000 to 50,000 people," Irmo town councilman Barry Walker said.

But it's more than just an outlet for entertainment. Walker says it also gives area merchants a chance to get exposure.

"We have an opportunity to get in front of those many folks with different kinds of events, different kinds of vendors, different kinds of goods and welfare," Walker said. "It's a marketing opportunity to jump at, you know, as a business person."

However, the one thing that isn't okay about the Okra Strut is the cost that goes with running it.

"No matter how much we give," Irmo mayor Hardy King said, "it still loses money."

King says the town has to kick in more and more help each year because of that. According to King, event organizers started the year with $43,000 in their accounts. Now that this year's festival is in the books, that number has dwindled down to $14,000. Most of what's left now will go towards meeting outstanding payments.

King says he suspects the Okra Strut will be strapped for cash by next spring and the town will be left to eat the entire costs if this pattern continues.

"I think that's appropriate," King said. "If we're going to put on a festival, then I think it can break even. I think it can even make money."

But supporters like Walker say, much like the veggie itself, growth is needed for this event.

He says attendance suffered when the event moved off of Lake Murray Boulevard to a temporary location. In fact, attendance dropped from 100,000 people to 30,000 in recent years. However, he feels outstanding times for the Okra Strut could be ahead now that the festival has found a permanent home in the park.