The Bethune Chicken Strut

The Bethune Chicken Strut is an annual festival in early May that includes rides, vendors, street dances, live music and equine events.

Other attractions are a parade, championship rodeo, truck and tractor pull and a baseball tournament. Most activities are held on the grounds of Bethune Elementary School.

One major highlight of the festival is the Colgate Country Showdown. It is a regional singing competition with the winner advancing to Atlanta and then to Nashville for a $100,000 recording contract.

Martina McBride is a past national winner, and so is LeAnn Rimes.

The Carolina Downhome Blues Festival

The Carolina Downhome Blues Festival is an annual three-day weekend in Camden features 30 blues acts performing at 15 different sites throughout the community.

The types of blues performed includes classic soul, horn-driven funk, blues rock and acoustic blues, and audiences can experience act close up on several stages.

Aside from the blues festival, visitors can also enjoy antique shops in Camden along with good restaurants, historic homes, the Camden Revolutionary War Site and equestrian activities.

Festival prices are $10 on Thursday, $15 Friday and $15 Saturday, or $35 for a weekend pass.