Irmo previews summer events and honors local businesses, skatepark donors and student leaders
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Summary
Town officials and volunteers presented updates on the Juneteenth celebration and Okra Strut, recognized small businesses and skatepark sponsors, and showcased Irmo Elementary students at the May 20 council meeting.
Town of Irmo officials used part of the May 20 meeting to present event updates, recognize local businesses and volunteers, and highlight student civic activities.
Juneteenth: William Bowman, speaking for the Juneteenth committee, outlined plans for the Town of Irmo’s Juneteenth celebration in Moore Park. The committee will hold a food drive from 4 to 6 p.m. at Macedonia Baptist Church, with an evening program beginning at 6 p.m. The event will include a traveling museum exhibit, spoken word and dance performances, Irmo history trivia, a fashion show, a line-dance display, and a closing jazz and R&B concert by Ken Cheeks and Sunrise. Bowman thanked park maintenance staff and encouraged residents to attend.
Okra Strut and scholarships: Mike Warren, representing the Okra Strut committee, described the long-running two-day festival, set for September, which began in 1973 as a fundraiser for a library. The town now administers the event and awards four $2,000 scholarships each year; two female scholarship recipients are selected by the Lake Murray Irmo Women’s Club and two male recipients are awarded by the town’s Okra Strut commission. The council recognized scholarship recipients Alexander Townley (Dutch Fork High School, headed to Clemson University) and Matthew Blocker (Irmo High School, headed to Newberry College).
Skatepark donors and sponsors: The council recognized Dave Toole, owner of Blue Tile Skateboards, and sponsoring organization Palmetto Citizens for their contributions to the 2025 Border Series skate event at Rawls Creek Skatepark (March 8–9, 2025). Toole said the event “means a lot to the community” and the sponsor provided equipment and gave away more than 100 skateboards. The council also thanked other local contributors who helped run the event.
Small business of the month and new businesses: Josh Eiler of Eiler Piano received recognition as the town’s Small Business of the Month for May 2025. Eiler said, “I’m honored by this.” Councilmember remarks also noted several new businesses in town, including Mathnasium of Irmo (2750 North Lake Drive), Southern Styles Hair Studio (7522 Irmo Drive), Clutch Coffee (1517 Lake Murray Boulevard), Taylor Reed’s Salon (8090 Irmo Drive), Gloss Blonding Studio (8090 Irmo Drive) and Studio M (8090 Irmo Drive).
School showcase: Principal Shannon Fincannon and members of the Irmo Elementary School student council presented highlights of the year, including community service projects (donations to Sharing God’s Love), veteran appreciation activities, and fundraising efforts that raised more than $600 to donate to charity.
Staff and community reminders: Town staff noted ongoing projects (intersection and streetscape work with the Bowman Group and Arnett Muldrow, wayfinding and signage studies), the status of the classification and compensation study, and important dates such as business license renewal and rental registration deadlines. Community connections included a community blood drive, youth summer camps and a classic car rally scheduled to conclude in Moore Park on June 29.
The presentations were informational; no formal council action was taken on the event or recognition items during the meeting.
