Written By: Emmitt Murray
It’s a tradition that’s been in their lives for as long as they can remember for Columbia residents Summer and Michael Still.
Each October, these siblings make sure to visit the fair multiple times. Their love for photography and competitive exhibits made them more involved in the fair.
“It makes us feel young again,” says Michael, Summer’s older brother.
Michael, an inspiration to many. As a vehicle accident survivor, he has faced significant physical challenges. Demonstrating remarkable resilience, he continues to push his limits and achieve remarkable milestones.
Summer and Michael, Richland County natives, have attended the South Carolina State Fair since childhood. Their parents introduced them to the fair’s magic in the 70s, and the tradition has continued through the years. Despite their busy schedules, they still make it a point of visiting.
“My first real memory, when I was probably four years old, was walking out of the back gate and some stranger coming up and gifting me a stuffed animal he had won,” Summer said.
In 2013, Michael decided that he wanted to get even more involved in the fair. One visit, during heavy rain, the siblings made their way into the fine art exhibits. Michael had picked up a hobby of photography and wondered, “Do you think they might hang one of my pictures on the wall?”
The next year, they decided to enter one of his photos into competitive exhibits.
Summer had just left for a trip during the beginning of that year’s fair, so the siblings father had offered to take the photo in for entry.
“Our dad was so excited to help get our picture entered, but right when he walked in, he noticed the glass was cracked,” Summer explained. Their father hurried back home and to find another frame that would fit and he finally was able to get it entered.
In 2015, the siblings were sure to enter their photos themselves. Michael was holding their photos in his wheelchair on their way to entry when they all slipped and were shattered. The following year, the same thing happened on Summer’s watch.
Despite their unexpected framing challenges, the siblings get more excited to enter new photos each year.
“You grow and you learn more from entering every year; that’s the fun part of it. Going to the fair and seeing your picture on the wall is so exciting,” Summer explained.
Building on their experience, Michael entered an extremely meaningful piece into the 2021 fair. At this time, their uncle was almost 100 years old, and he sadly passed away. They recalled how every time they visited his house In Allendale, they always admired a certain tree in his yard and its beauty. On the day of his passing, they snapped a photo of the tree, thinking it would likely be the last time they would ever see it.
When they decided to enter the piece into that year’s competitive exhibits, they were nervous people wouldn’t understand the significance behind the image. However, after looking all over for the picture during that year’s fair, they realized there was one place they hadn’t checked. They walked over to the winning artwork and discovered that they had won a red ribbon in mixed media. Both Summer and Michael were elated that such a meaningful piece to honor their late uncle had earned them their first ever ribbon.
The next year, Summer was able to win a white ribbon from another picture honoring their uncle in mixed media. During their uncle’s time in assisted living, which was in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, they snapped a photo of their mother visiting their uncle through a glass. The photo truly captured the pain that the pandemic caused so many people.
From competing in competitive exhibits, riding the skylift, watching the ducklings go down the slide, eating at the Leaning Tower of Pizza stand, to visiting the barn animals, Michael and Summer both have a deep connection to the fair. Michael says his favorite thing overall about the fair is simply “the atmosphere.” Summer agrees. “It’s a place that truly everybody is excited to walk into. It’s the one time of year that you could accidentally bump into anybody that you know from the entire state of South Carolina,” she explains.
The siblings both agree that the fair has truly brought them closer together, and they look forward to carrying on the tradition for years to come.
For more information on how you can get involved in competitive exhibits: scstatefair.org/competitions. September 1 is the deadline to register.
