Hampton is Home of the Watermelon Festival which is currently the states oldest Continuing Festival. 2016 is the 74th year for the festival!
This is a popular spot among the festival parade route which stretches from Varnville to Hampton.
Local Lore of Hampton from BOTH SIDES OF THE SWAMP by The Hampton County Tricentennial Commission: "In 1877 constituents of this area (Prince Williams Parish) asked for and were granted permission by General Wade Hampton to call the area in which we live Hampton County in his honor. There was no town of Hampton at the time but several spots were being considered as likely spots including a location that was in the exact center of the area. Unfortunately, this spot was found to be in the middle of a cypress pond surrounded by miles of swampland. After several election the town of Varnville was chosen for the honor of being the county seat, but a specified regulation was that the courthouse be built within two miles of the dept of said town. Money was tight, times were hard and the residents of Varnville were not at all sure they should use their own money for this venture so they began pressing the county to secure its own financing. .....This squabbling initiated the idea for the residents here to offer money, land and materials for the courthouse to be built at Hoover' Station. Today the Hampton County Courthouse stand on a spot exactly 2 miles from the old dept at Hoover's Station! Thus, Hampton, the town, was born. .....It is just that, a legend, one that has been handed down from generation to generation with fairly consistent and accurate details.