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Economy leads to smaller Tobacco Festival, chamber says  

The economy has caused Lake City's South Carolina Tobacco Festival to be scaled down in its 53rd year, but this September's event will still include a street dance and golf tournament.

The Greater Lake City Chamber of Commerce's board met to review all aspects of this year's festival, from Sept. 18-20, and decided unanimously to shorten the schedule of events, chamber Director Rita Smith said.

The chamber, however, is planning for the festival's grand return when the economy improves, Smith said.

"The hope is that we'll be able to do it even bigger and better than in the past, and we're even working on that now," she said.

The festival has had to rely on local businesses because it no longer receives grants or sponsorships from the big tobacco companies, according to a chamber press release.

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