Saturday April 18, 2026
 | 9:30 AM – 6:00 PM
Charlie W. Johnson Stadium
1920 Two Notch Road,
Columbia, SC 29204
Harambee Tickets
Vendor Registration
Become A Sponsor
Donate to Harambee
Voted Columbia Neighborhood's "BEST FESTIVAL"
The iconic Benedict College Harambee Festival will be held in the Charlie W. Johnson Stadium as the College proudly continues the legacy of the Festival which has been a thirty-six-year signature event in Columbia, South Carolina, and wider communities. It has sustained its existence through interpretation of history, presentations through the arts, culture, and humanities, with outstanding stage performances, a Children’s Learning Village, a Women’s and Men’s Village, free health screenings, continuous stage performances, merchandise vendors, and the best food found anywhere.
The Festival provides learning experiences for children and college students, public service information to improve the lives of attendees, and opportunities for organizations to merchandise their products before thousands of consumers. It also allows Benedict College to continue its commitment to improve the economic, social, and cultural conditions in our community, including the positive impact that the Festival has on the local economy.
Harambee Events
Saturday, April 18, 2026 - 9:30AM - 6:00PM
OUTSTANDING GOSPEL AND R & B HEADLINER PERFORMERS WILL BEÂ ANNOUNCED SOON!
- The Benedict College Gospel Choir-Elder David Bratton, Director
- The Benedict College Tiger Marching Band of Distinction, - Dr. Brendan Johnson, Director
- Showcase of BC Student performers
- the Harambee Festival Community Choir – Mr. Jason Clayborn-Guest Clinician
- Many popular local performers
The FESTIVAL VILLAGES INCLUDE:
- MUSC Mobile Mammogram Testing Van
- FREE Medical and Health screening Village
- Food village -best food in the South
- Merchandise village-unique African American products
- Children’s education, science, robotics, esports, cybersecurity, recreation, arts and humanities village
Bounce houses, game trucks
- Legacy exhibits and displays of college/community/public service information
- Women’s and Men’s villages,
- Veterans Van
- Classic cars
Sunday, April 19, 2026 - 3:00PM
Antisdel Chapel:
The Harambee Festival Community Choir is open to all singers including those not affiliated with Benedict College who wish to participate in a nondenominational concert. It is an opportunity to learn from Elder David Bratton, Director of the Benedict College Gospel Choir, and composer of the hit gospel song Every Praise is to Our God. This year’s guest clinician will be Mr. Jason Clayborn, composer of many gospel songs. The Harambee Festival Community Choir is actively recruiting members to sing in this historic concert. The dates for rehearsal in April 2026 will be announced. Please register to participate for Free at the Harambee Festival portal.
Admission Prices
Vendor Prices
* Students over the age 6 and other students enrolled at any level with a valid ID school card; Military affiliates with the valid ID card; 65 years and over with driver’s license or ID card
** With a valid Benedict College ID card
Festival Map
Charlie W. Johnson Stadium, 1920 Two Notch Road, Columbia, SC 29204
Registrations
Take advantage of this opportunity for your organization not only to support a positive, value-added Festival to our community but also provides your organization opportunities to showcase and introduce your products and services to a diverse market.
Our Sponsors
Take advantage of the opportunity to sponsor the Harambee Festival. The Festival provides organizations visibility and unlimited access to thousands of festival participants and customers, a complimentary marketing vendor’s space, and a complimentary electronic ad that will be shown constantly at the Festival and will remain on the Festival’s website for one year. Other benefits are available commensurate with your sponsorship level. Importantly, your contribution will also help to support many deserving students through the Harambee Festival Endowed Scholarship.
Harambee FAQs
- Saturday, April 18, 2026 ONLY – The Harambee Festival
COMPONENTS: ALL-DAY STAGE PERFORMANCES FEATURING: Benedict College Gospel Choir; Benedict College Tiger Marching Band of Distinction; Jazz Band, student performers, Harambee Festival Community Choir; a Children’s Dance Group, and legacy performers.
VILLAGES: HBCU, College/Community/Public Service; Food; Shopping; Legacy Exhibits; Children’s Education, Science, and Cybersecurity, Arts and Humanities, Recreation; Bounce Houses, Game Trucks; Women’s, Men’s, and Elderly; Veterans; Classic Cars; Athletes (including local professionals); MUSC Mammogram Screening; and FREE Medical and Health Screening.
Refunds minus a $50.00 administrative fee will be processed until April 6, 2026. No refunds will be made after that date for any reason, including, but not limited to weather, or any other circumstances.
The College will provide routine security services for the Harambee Festival but assumes no liability for any lost, damaged, or stolen merchandise. The Harambee Festival remains harmless from liability in these instances.
By submitting this application to participate in the Harambee Festival as a vendor or in any category, I represent and warrant that I will not sell nor allow anyone working with me to sell merchandise that may violate applicable copyright and/or trademark laws.
In the event it is discovered that I am selling or offering to sell merchandise, which violates applicable copyright and/or trademark laws, I understand that I will cease, desist, and stop selling any further merchandise at the Harambee Festival*.
* (The full Representation and Warranty statement is provided to each vendor. Vendors and all other participants’ signature and/or participation in this festival indicate their consent participants to adhere to all components of the Representation and Warranty statement).
Registration will remain open until all categories of participation are filled, however, all merchandise, village, food vendors, and nonprofit exhibitors, are encouraged to register immediately to confirm your priority spaces.
For more information, please call 803.705.4789, 803.705.4409, or 803.705.4679. You may also click www.benedict.edu/harambee.
Merchandise vendors purchase a 12×12 space with a 6 ft. table provided. Vendors are expected to provide their own tents, generators, and racks. Merchandise vendors may access wi-fi, but NO ELECTRICAL ACCESS IS AVAILABLE.
$200.00/space
Food and Food Truck vendors are expected to provide their own tables, tents, generators, and racks. Merchandise vendors may access wi-fi, but NO ELECTRICAL ACCESS IS AVAILABLE.
$300/space