18th Annual Celebration
RiceFest 2026
Celebrating Gullah Geechee culture and the history of Coastal Georgia through food, live music, heritage, art, family activities, and community.
Culture, community, connection
A festival rooted in Riceboro’s story.
The City of Riceboro celebrates its annual rice festival with a schedule of events the second week in November. Nearly 5,000 people gather in the city to enjoy events that showcase the food, music, art, and history of the Gullah/Geechee people, whose ancestors once worked on rice plantations in Liberty County.
Gullah Geechee Heritage
Living traditions, storytelling, performances, and cultural education.
Food & Rice Cook-Off
Regional flavors, festival food, and a competitive rice cook-off.
Live Music
The Geechee Gullah Shouters, GospelFest, and Saturday headliner 803Fresh.
Parade
A Saturday morning tradition that brings the community together.
50+ Local Vendors
Food, retail, and community organizations from across the region.
Youth Essay Contest
Celebrating young voices as part of the RiceFest tradition.
November 13–15
Plan your RiceFest weekend.
Three days of music, culture, and community, right here in Riceboro.
Homecoming Dinner & Dance
Dinner included • $40 per person • Riceboro Youth Center, 5649 S Coastal Hwy, Riceboro, GA 31323.
🎶 Live music all night from Nu Vyb Band of Savannah!
Festival Day, Parade & Cook-Off
Morning parade • free outdoor concert • 50+ vendors • The Geechee Gullah Shouters • Rice Cook-Off Contest.
👚 Get them boots ready, we’re getting down with Mr. 803Fresh: Boots On The Ground!
GospelFest
An afternoon of live gospel performances.
Vendor registration is open
Join RiceFest as a 2026 vendor.
Fill out the form below to register and pay for your vendor space in one step.
Register & Pay Online
Complete the form below to submit your vendor information and pay securely online.
History of RiceFest
How it began.
Jim and Pat Bacote, owners of the Geechee Kunda Cultural Center, were among the organizers of the first Riceboro RiceFest.
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It All Began When…
Riceboro residents Dennis Fitzgerald and Henry Relaford discussed the need for a festival in Riceboro that would bring the community together to celebrate its history. The two met with Mr. Jim Bacote, co-founder of the Geechee Kunda Cultural Center, to discuss their idea. As a scholar, educator, and preservationist of African culture in America, Mr. Bacote was interested in partnering with the City of Riceboro to create a signature event that would keep knowledge of the old ways alive.
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2007: The First RiceFest
The first RiceFest was held November 2007 with general funding from the City of Riceboro, at the Riceboro Youth Center. The community was supported by sponsorship from Hampton Island SNF Holding Company, Interstate Paper, Arnold Stafford Randolph Attorneys at Law, Lecounte-Woodmanston Plantation, Phatt Katz Productions Inc., American Legion, Georgia Power Company, Liberty County Board of Commissioners, Hampton Island Preserve, The Heritage Bank, Trinity Outreach Ministries, First Zion Baptist Church, All American Storage, Coldwell Bankers, Liberty County Coroner’s Office, Sarah McIver, and the City of Riceboro.
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A Growing Tradition
Annually, the festival was held in November with various events to educate and entertain. The City of Riceboro continues to coordinate and serve as the main sponsor, with community partners providing funds and volunteer hours. The goal is to grow RiceFest into one of the largest Gullah Geechee gatherings in coastal Georgia while sharing the history of Riceboro and its people.
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2026: 18th Annual Celebration
The City continues the tradition with a three-day weekend celebrating Gullah Geechee culture and Riceboro’s heritage.
Supporting information
Staff, sponsors, and RiceFest through the years.
RiceFest Staff & Volunteer Coordinators
Staff
- Chairperson: Gabelyn Stevens
- Chair: Louise Brown
- Administrative Support: Gabelyn Stevens & Debra Attical
- Contract Coordinator: Debra Attical
Volunteer Coordinators
- GospelFest Coordinators: Pastor Deason
- Headliner Coordinator: Pastor Katrina Deason
- Homecoming Celebration – Friday Night Dinner & Dance: Stefan McIver
- Parade Coordinator: Shirley Howard
- Rice Cook-Off: Joyce Green
- Sponsorships: Debra Attical, Leah Poole, Chris Stacy
- Youth Essay Contest: Shirley Howard
- Vendors: Joseph Wynn, Stefan McIver, and Councilman David Miller
- Safety: Fire Chief Dennis Fitzgerald
Sponsors & Community Partners
Presenting Sponsor
- City of Riceboro
Title Sponsors
- Liberty County CVB
- SNF Holding Company
- DS Smith
- Hinesville Housing Authority
- Bath Fitter
- Navy Federal Credit Union
- Coca-Cola
- The Heritage Bank
- Georgia Power
Partners
- Liberty Radio 94.9 FM
- Georgia Power
- The Heritage Bank
- Interstate Credit Union
- South Georgia Bank
- LaQuinta Inn & Suites
- Liberty County Minority Chamber
- Geechee Kunda Cultural Center
We could not host this event without our sponsors and partners. You can be a sponsor too. Your generous donation helps provide this educational and cultural event featuring nationally recognized educators, vendors, and artists. Contact us and we will be in touch soon.
RiceFest Through the Years
The City of Riceboro canceled the 2020 and 2021 RiceFest due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2016: “City of Gold”
RiceFest Essay Contest Winners were 5th–6th grade level Nyzariah Thomas, 7th–9th grade level Keria Tate, and 10th–12th grade level Journal Young.
The Liberty RiceFest Pageant was held November 5, 2016 at the Riceboro Youth Center, coordinated by Mrs. Juanita Lowery. Winners were Miss Liberty RiceFest Daniel Rose, Junior Miss Liberty RiceFest Emonee Conliffe, Little Miss Liberty RiceFest DaiYauna Kraft, and Baby Liberty RiceFest Zion Penny.
GospelFest was held November 6, 2016 at the Riceboro Youth Center with guest appearances by Fellowship of Love Church of God in Christ, NuDirection, God’s Anointed Wings of Faith, True Verses, and the Legendary Gospel Keynotes, hosted by Shannon Lecounte.
Homecoming Celebration was hosted by Comedian Barbara Caryle, with a special performance by Mr. Danny Clay. The Parade began at the Riceboro Youth Center.
Festival Day opened with a welcome by Mayor Bill Austin and included performances by Mike Shaver & Ripped Pocket, with headliners Earnest Pugh and Mr. Clarence Carter. Yvonne Lambert was the host.
RiceFest Cook-off Winners: Meat & Rice: Lynn Cannon; Vegetable & Rice: Lynn Cannon; Seafood & Rice: Rosemary Jones.
2015: “Riceboro on My Mind”
The Miss Liberty RiceFest Pageant was held November 7, 2015 at the Riceboro Youth Center. Destiny Lecounte was crowned Miss Liberty RiceFest.
RiceFest hosted its very first GospelFest, showcasing the Gospel Keynotes, True Verses, The Grant Sisters, the Gospel Cousinaires, The Gift of Gab (“God’s Anointed Band”), and God’s Anointed Wings of Faith.
Homecoming showcased the Special Formula Band. The annual parade kicked off at 9:00 a.m. from the Riceboro Youth Center.
Festival Day opened with a welcome by Mayor Bill Austin, featuring performances by Dakota and Michael Hulett, with headliner Harold Melvin’s Blue Notes. Yvonne Lambert was the host.
RiceFest Cook-off winners: Meat & Rice: Henrietta Weaver; Seafood & Rice: Brunell Terry; Rice Dessert: Henrietta Weaver. Judges: David Clarke, Vanessa Kadailie, and Mary Stimmel.
2014: “Happy”
The Liberty RiceFest Pageant, coordinated by Mrs. Lateshia Perouza, was held at Midway Middle School with the theme “Blossoming Like a Rose, One Petal at a Time.” Destiny Brown was crowned Miss Liberty RiceFest 2014.
Homecoming was held at the Riceboro Youth Center with entertainment by Lady. The parade began at 9:00 a.m. from the Riceboro Youth Center; Grand Marshal was Evangelist Lelia M. Williams.
Festival Day was held at the grounds of Riceboro City Hall with 44 vendors. Entertainers included the First African Baptist Male Choir, Comedian Marvin Hunter, the Gullah Geechee Shouters, Saxophonist Michael Hulett, and Storyteller Luciria Lucky Lovette, with headliner Cuba Gooding & the Main Ingredients.
RiceFest Cook-Off winners: Meat & Rice: Lynn Cannon; Vegetable & Rice: Burnell Terry; Seafood & Rice: Rosemary Jones; Rice Dessert: Henrietta Weaver.
2013: “Treasure You”
The Liberty RiceFest Pageant, coordinated by Mrs. Kathy Villafane, crowned Destiny Lecounte as Miss Liberty RiceFest 2013.
Homecoming was held at the Riceboro Youth Center with guest appearances by Candace Woodson & the Dimino Theory. The parade began at 9:00 a.m.; the 2013 Grand Marshal was Mr. Jim Bacote.
Festival Day opened with a welcome by Mayor Bill Austin, featuring the First African Baptist Male Choir, Comedian Hurricane Andrews, Saxophonist Michael Hulett, Storyteller Luciria Luckey Lovette, Singer D’Shon, Ritno & Sabor, the Abeni Dancers, and the Gullah Geechee Shouters, with headliner Jeff Floyd & Band. Yvonne Lambert was the host, and there were 55 vendors.
Rice Cook-off winners: Meat & Rice: John B. Peavy; Vegetable & Rice: John B. Peavy; Seafood & Rice: Rosemary Jones; Rice Dessert: Lynn Cannon.
2012: “Hometown Pride”
The RiceFest Pageant & Step Show Showdown was hosted by Mr. Anthony Johnson and coordinated by April Torres. Winners were Miss Liberty RiceFest Latisha Young, Jr. Miss Liberty RiceFest Khloe Villafane, and Little Miss RiceFest Kiera Tate.
Homecoming was held at the Riceboro Youth Center with entertainment by Michael Hulett. Parade Grand Marshals were Henry Relaford, Matthew Green, and Henry (Fred) Wilkins.
Festival Day opened with a welcome from Mayor Bill Austin, featuring the Abeni Dancers, Storyteller Luciria Luckey Lovette, the Gullah Geechee Shouters, the First African Baptist Church Male Choir, and Comedian Tony Tone, with headliner Lenny Williams. Yvonne Lambert was the host. The Rice Cook-Off was not held this year.
2011: “The Past, The Present, and the Future”
The Liberty RiceFest Pageant, coordinated by Mrs. April Torres, crowned Antonette Moore as Miss Liberty RiceFest and Tierra Stevens as Jr. Miss Liberty RiceFest. The Talent & Step Show, held at Midway Middle School, was won by the Bradwell Step Team and hosted by Jamie “380” Barrett.
Parade Grand Marshals were Henry Relaford, Stella Fitzgerald, and Dorothy Brunson.
Festival Day, held November 12, 2011, opened with a welcome by Mayor Bill Austin, featuring the Abeni Dancers and Comedian Willie Brown & Woody, with headliner Michael Hulett. Yvonne Lambert was the host.
Rice Cook-off winners: Meat & Rice: Martha Jones; Seafood & Rice: Georgia Mobley; Rice Dessert: Lynn Cannon.
2010
The Step Show Competition, hosted by Jamie “380” Barrett, was won by Snelson-Golden Middle School (first place) and Lewis Frasier Middle School (second place).
The first RiceFest pageant, coordinated by Bianca Croft, Gabelyn Stevens, and Debra B. Frazier, crowned Sadrina Sampson as Miss RiceFest, with Mikia Frazier as First Runner Up and Tyshajuana Stevens as Second Runner Up.
Homecoming was held at the Riceboro Youth Center. The parade began at 9:00 a.m.; Grand Marshals were Riceboro centenarians Mrs. Mary L. Baggs and Mrs. Dorothy Brunson.
Festival Day, held November 13, 2010, opened with a welcome by Mayor Bill Austin, with 52 vendors. Entertainers included Michael Hulett, Reginald “Bruh Man” Bullard, the Purified Soul Band, the Gullah Geechee Shouters, the First African Baptist Church Male Choir, and Storyteller Luciria Lucky Lovette, with headliner Darian Perkins. Charlotte Norman was the host. Essay Contest Winner: Mikia Frazier.
2009
The Step Show Competition was won by Snelson-Golden Middle School.
Festival Day, held November 14, 2009, opened with a welcome by Mayor Bill Austin, with 44 vendors. Entertainers included Storyteller Luciria Luckey Lovette, the Coastal Youth Theater of Voices, the Sea Island Singers, the Abeni Cultural Arts Dancers, the Gullah Geechee Shouters, Saxophonist Michael Hulett, and Comedian Spike Davis. Charlotte Norman was the host. Essay winner: Mikia Frazier.
2008
Festival Day opened with a welcome by Mayor Bill Austin, hosted by Dawn Baker and Charlotte Norman, with entertainment by Storyteller Luciria Luckey Lovette, the Darien Shouters, the Savannah Folk Society, and Comedian Willie Brown & Woody.
Rice Cook-off judges were Henrietta Weaver, Cornelia Walker Bailey, and Paul A. Paskins. Essay contest winners, on the topic “Rice Culture,” were Javier Monica and Mikia Frazier.
Questions about RiceFest 2026?
Contact the City of Riceboro for vendor questions, schedule updates, sponsorship opportunities, and general festival information.