The 2026 Pickens Azalea Festival brought fun and excitement to Main Street the evening of Friday, April 24 and all day Saturday, April 25.

Friday’s fun featured a classic car cruise-in, music by Benton Blount and Eagle Wing at the Pickens Amphitheater, carnival rides in Legacy Square, and food vendors.

Saturday morning’s opening ceremony included a welcome by Chris Lee, the raising of the American and South Carolina flags by the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts of Troop 51, the singing of the national anthem by Madi Scott, an appearance by Miss Pickens County Teen Alayna Campbell, a welcome from Azalea Festival MC Ava Braatz, and an appearance by the United States Naval Sea Cadet Corps Guadalcanal Squadron.

Saturday’s fun also included a 5K race on the Pickens Doodle Trail; more than 200 booths for businesses, civic/non-profit organizations, and arts & crafts; a pie baking competition; a pet pageant; a husband-calling contest; and music by Mountain Bridge Band, Cliff Wheeler Band, No Speed Limit, and Gimme Back My Skynyrd.

The Pickens High School student chosen as this year’s art contest winner is Karla Turcios-Enamorado.

The Pickens Azalea Festival has grown tremendously since this writer first reported on the event as the Editor of The Pickens Sentinel 26 years ago, in April of 2000, at that time a one-day event.

Below, view 75 photos by The Pickens County Chronicle of the 2026 Pickens Azalea Festival on Friday, April 24 and Saturday, April 25.