South Carolina’s Ag+Art tour returns this weekend

Every weekend in June brings chances to visit South Carolina farms and to see the region’s art and artists.

The 2016 South Carolina Ag+Art Tour will take place in nine counties, offering free, self-guided tours. Farms in Chester, Lancaster, Union and York counties are on the program.

The Saturday and Sunday tour dates are designed to let visitors see working farms that contribute to the local food supply. Tour-goers also can see artists at work and purchase their work. Bluegrass and folk music is one more part of the showcase of rural life.

The tour kicks off June 4-5 with a focus on Chesterfield, Darlington and Horry counties. Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 1-5 p.m. Sundays.

The tour comes closer to Charlotte June 11-12, with Lancaster and York as featured locations.

Tours in Lancaster County include Historical Craig Farm, which has been operated by the Craig family since pre-Revolutionary War days. The farm has nearly 400 acres of cattle pastures and woodlands and is home to Kilburnie, the historic inn at Craig Farm.

The world’s largest collection of Catawba pottery and artifacts will be featured at The Native American Studies Center in Lancaster County.

In York County, see heirloom vegetables and herbs in the Catawba Indians’ heritage seed garden at the Catawba Cultural Cultural Center in Rock Hill.

Fairfield and Kershaw counties, both near Columbia, will be featured June 18-19.

The tour swings back to the Charlotte region for its final weekend, June 25-26, with programs in Chester and Union counties.

The event is described by organizers as the largest free farm and art tour in the nation. More than 20,000 visitors have attended since 2012.

This story was originally published May 31, 2016 at 8:45 AM with the headline "South Carolina’s Ag+Art tour returns this weekend."