Taste of Black Spartanburg means food so good you can't wait to sit down. Photo courtesy of Taste of Black Spartanburg
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***Want to volunteer, become a vendor, or get tickets? Go to https://tasteofblack.org/
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If every Memorial Day weekend tends to come and go too fast, consider expanding it to partake in a local cultural festival known as ‘The Taste of Black Spartanburg.’
The event, returning to the city for its second year, celebrates black excellence through food, community, and entrepreneurship – and will be held from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m. May 30 at Barnet Park.
More than 100 food vendors are expected to go with live music, and a ‘Black Market’ for minority-owned businesses.
“The goal was to create something that was both culturally meaningful and economically impactful,” said Julius Tolbert, a local restaurateur who began the event in 2025. “The vision was to create more than just an event. We wanted to build a platform that gives Black-owned businesses real visibility, creates economic opportunity, and brings the community together around food, culture, and purpose.”
The festival is the center of a larger Juneteenth Series presented by Cornbread Consulting Firm and Spartanburg Juneteenth Inc.
While admission to the festival is free, it is a cashless event: tickets are used for vendor purchases.
And even though this will be only the second time for ‘Taste’, Tolbert pointed out that “the response out of the gate was strong.”
“Last year, we welcomed more than 4,000 attendees, and generated more than $50,000 in direct sales for vendors,” Tolbert said. “That showed there is both a demand and a real need for an event like this in Spartanburg.”
Surrounding attractions will include a Black Ball May 29 through a partnership with My Brother’s Keeper of the Upstate, and a Monologue Slam May 31 – both at Indigo Hall Spartanburg.
“One of the biggest additions this year is the Black Ball, a black-tie benefit gala that will serve as the official kickoff to Taste of Black Weekend,” Tolbert said. “During the gala, we will present small business and community impact awards, award multiple scholarships, and create an elevated evening experience with dinner, live music, and more.”
And then of course there is the food.
Chances are you’ll be suffering from overchoice with an array of fried chicken, macaroni and cheese, collard greens, breaded fried okra, and cornbread – otherwise known as soul food, which originated in part in West Africa and from Carribbean cooking.
“Food naturally brings people together,” Tolbert said. “It gives attendees a chance to discover and support a wide range of local Black-owned businesses in one place. The energy, the variety, and the cultural atmosphere make it a standout experience.”
And all you have to do is bring your smile, your appetite, and your willingness to say Mm-Mm more than a few times – and be ready to use lots of napkins.
“Each year, I hope the Taste of Black Spartanburg creates three things: visibility, opportunity, and pride,” Tolbert said. “I also want people to leave feeling like they experienced something bigger than a festival – something that genuinely poured back into the community.”
