Refrigerated Trailer for Rent in Sumter, SC

The Sumter SC Pride Festival is set for October 17, 11 am to 3 pm, at the Heath Pavilion, located at the Swan Lake Iris Gardens. This year’s event will have a first: a drag show.

That’s caused some negative response among a number of Sumter residents, especially members of some local churches.

Sumter, home to Shaw Air Force Base, is a relatively small town sitting on the border between the Midlands of South Carolina and the Pee Dee region. The Metropolitan Statistical Area has a population of around 43,500.

Its first Pride Festival was held in 2022 and, for the most part, has not faced any major issues.

This year’s festival, however, has sparked some controversy.

At a September 14 meeting of the Sumter City Council, dozens of Sumter residents attended to speak either against or for the upcoming celebration’s inclusion of drag performances.

Dan Keaton, pastor of the well-known Harmony Church, told the council that “the drag show event next month is not an event that’s going to help our city flourish but could be objectively bad for our city.”

Another attendee quoted a passage from the Old Testament portion of the Bible.

“Deuteronomy 22.5 says a woman who dresses like a man and a man who dresses like a woman is an abomination to the Lord,” he said. “If we really stand by that statement, then we shouldn’t allow this thing to happen.”

A supporter made the point that “This event isn’t for everyone. If it’s not for you, then you can feel free to stay home.”

A letter to the city’s mayor and council from the ACLU of South Carolina expressed similar ideas.

“Residents are free to disagree with Sumter Pride, express their religious beliefs, and petition the government,” the letter stated. “Those freedoms belong to all of us. However, one group’s religious objections should not determine whether LGBTQ+ people may gather in a public park.”

Sumter Pride LLC, the organization sponsoring the event, said that the group has never received so much opposition in the past as it has this year.

Amanda Evelyn Price, who serves as the organization’s President, said in an interview for Columbia television station WIS, “This is about love and caring for each other. It’s not for throwing stones.”

As of this writing, there are no plans to shut down the event.

American Heart Association donates emergency preparedness tools to help train community members, improve heart health awareness and strengthen response to cardiac emergencies

SUMTER, S.C., October 1, 2026 — More than 350,000 people experience an out-of-hospital cardiac arrest each year in the United States. Immediate CPR and access to an AED can significantly increase a person's chance of survival. The American Heart Association is donating a Cardiac Emergency Response Plan (CERP) to Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church in Sumter, providing the congregation and surrounding community with resources to help prevent and respond to cardiovascular emergencies.

The initiative is part of the American Heart Association's Nation of Lifesavers™ movement, which aims to double survival rates from cardiac arrest by empowering more people to learn CPR and respond confidently in emergencies.

The donation includes Hands-Only CPR training kits, a self-monitoring blood pressure station and an automated external defibrillator (AED). Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church is the first church in Sumter County to receive these resources as part of the American Heart Association's effort to strengthen heart health and emergency preparedness in faith-based communities.

The donation reflects the Association's commitment to meeting people where they are, expanding access to health education, prevention tools and emergency response resources where people live, work and worship.

"We are excited to launch this campaign within our faith-based community and provide spaces like Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church with tools that can truly save lives," said Lizzie Tankersley, executive director of the American Heart Association - Midlands. "

Churches play an important role in the lives of many families, and by bringing these resources directly into the community, we're helping create a culture of health and preparedness."

The Hands-Only CPR kits will enable church members and community residents to learn the skills needed to respond during a cardiac emergency. The blood pressure station will provide convenient access to regular monitoring, helping people identify and manage a leading risk factor for heart disease and stroke. The AED will be available onsite for use during sudden cardiac arrest emergencies.

"This investment goes beyond equipment," said Delois Woodard, director of the wellness ministry at Jehovah Missionary Baptist Church. "It empowers our congregation and our community with knowledge, confidence and resources that can make a difference when every second counts. We are honored to be the first church in Sumter County to receive this support."

The American Heart Association encourages everyone to learn Hands-Only CPR and know their blood pressure numbers. To learn more about CPR training, heart health resources and the Nation of Lifesavers movement, visit heart.org.

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About the American Heart Association

The American Heart Association is a relentless force for a world of longer, healthier lives. Dedicated to ensuring equitable health in all communities, the organization has been a leading source of health information for more than one hundred years. Supported by more than 35 million volunteers globally, we fund groundbreaking research, advocate for the public’s health, and provide critical resources to save and improve lives affected by cardiovascular disease and stroke. By driving breakthroughs and implementing proven solutions in science, policy, and care, we work tirelessly to advance health and transform lives every day. Connect with us on heart.org, Facebook, X or by calling 1-800-AHA-USA1.

For Media Inquiries:

Maranda Williams, maranda.williams@heart.org

For Public Inquiries: 1-800-AHA-USA1 (242-8721)

SUMTER, S.C. (WIS) - A drag show planned in the city of Sumter is drawing strong reactions from people both against and in support of the event. People packed into a city council meeting Tuesday night to express their concerns.

Sumter Pride LLC is set to host a drag show in October at the Heath Pavilion, near Swan Lake Iris Gardens. The event is not being hosted directly in the city-owned park.

The show is scheduled for Oct. 17 as part of the organization’s Sumter Pride Festival, an annual celebration of the LGBTQ+ community.

One supporter said the event is not for everyone.

“This event isn’t for everyone. If it’s not for you, then you can feel free to stay home,” the supporter said.

One critic disagreed.

“The drag show event next month is not an event that’s going to help our city flourish,” the critic said.

Sumter Pride LLC President Amanda Evelyn Price said the organization has never received so much backlash and threatening comments in the last five years they’ve hosted events.

“We have not had any previous problems. This is about love and caring for each other. It’s not for throwing stones,” Price said.

Price said Sumter Pride LLC has already secured a permit agreement with the city.

Critics, including some church organizations, say the event is not a reflection of the Sumter community.

“Deuteronomy 22:5 says a woman who dresses like a man and a man who dresses like a woman is an abomination to the Lord. If we really stand by that statement, then we shouldn’t allow this thing to happen,” a critic said.

Both supporters and critics of the event have created petitions that have been sent to city leaders.

The pride event has several sponsors, including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). The organization also sent this statement to city leaders:

The Sumter mayor, David Merchant, said there are no plans to shut down the event and the drag show is not a city-sponsored event. He said the city’s role is solely to make sure the event stays within the guidelines of the permit.

The city released this statement:

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