Road block!!! Greenvillians running (cycling, eating, drinking, dancing...) amok in the middle of the street!!! Don’t be alarmed. It’s festival time! Greenville has a list of public events as your long as your arm ( roughly 300, give or take) and we’re just about to launch into it. I’m an expert on the low down so I’ll cover our more immediate headliners first and then clue you in on a couple of quirkier romps and do my best to keep you apprised of festive opportunities as the warmer months unfold. The Swamp Rabbit Inn is so conveniently located we would love to serve as your home base from which to go cavorting. Let's go outside and play!!!
MUSIC!! April 7th - 9th Spring Albino Skunk Music Fest - The festival got its name from the sightings of white skunks on the grounds. Originally founded as a bluegrass music festival, SkunkFest now features all sorts of mostly acoustic music – including Americana, Folk, Singer-Songwriter, Alt. Country, Acoustic, Roots and Bluegrass. It’s held on the grounds of Glynn and Susan Zeigler’s old farm place north of Greer. It was initially private but is now open to the music-loving public. Local food vendors, craft beers served up by The Community Tap, Handmade Crafts, Kiddieland with playground, activities, kid’s shows & drive-in movie, and Edible Upcountry’s Farmers Market are some of the attractions besides the phenomenal music. Primitive tent camping & RV Camping area (sorry no hook-ups) on site within easy walking distance to everything. No shuttles needed from camping areas or the parking lot.
CYCLING!! April 16th - 17th Bikeville Classic - Notus Sports and USA Cycling, in partnership with VisitgreenvilleSC, hosts the Volkswagon USA Cycling Professional Criterium and Team Time Trial National Championships, presented by Greenville Health System.
This race-filled weekend will determine the national champions in the Criterium and Team Time Trial. Categorized amateur racers are also taking the start line Sunday on the same course as the professionals. On Saturday, amateurs can race the team time trial course and compare their times to the professionals. You don’t need to be a racer to enjoy the weekend. Before the racers take to the time trial course, the Southern Connector Ride kicks off at 8 AM on Saturday.
Join us at the Swamp Rabbit Inn after the races on the 17th for Truck Inn Tuesday, 6-10 p.m., for local food and music!
BEER!! April 23rd, Noon to 4 p.m. at Larkin's Sawmill - 22 Graves Drive, Greenville, SC 29609. The Community Tap's fourth annual Craft Beer Festival features over 50 of our favorite craft breweries from all over the US, focusing on small-batch brews and one-off kegs - this isn't your normal beer fest. There will also be live music, concessions and other creative activities to keep you entertained while you imbibe. This festival has sold out every year - buy early!
RUN!! Also April 23rd, 7 a.m - 11 a.m. South Main Street, - 39th Annual Reedy River Run is one of the oldest road races in the south and will be celebrating its 39th year in 2016. After many years of being run on the first weekend in March, this year's edition is moving back to the month of April as it was first conducted.
After crossing the finish line you will be guided into Falls Park to and enjoy the food and refreshments provided by our generous sponsors. There will be music to help you enjoy Spring in Greenville while over 50 door prizes will be randomly presented according to the race bib numbers selected. You will be able to observe and appreciate the top ten overall men and women and top three Masters and Grand Masters finishers as they receive their awards. And you can celebrate your personal best 10K with a unique "PR" medal, while observing the top three finishers in each age group receive their awards. Stay around for the food, fun and friendship and kick off Spring in Greenville.
ART!! May 13th - 15th Artisphere - Arts. Culture. Life., hosts award-winning visual artists of national and international caliber, showcasing their work at an open-air Artist Row in the West End. The best of Greenville’s performing arts groups are complimented by top name performers from around the world. The festival highlights performances of local youth groups and provides creative, educational activities for children. A vibrant swirl of color and activity for everyone!
Golf!! May 19th - 22nd The 2016 BMW Charity Pro-Am presented by SYNNEX Corporation will take place at Thornblade Club, The Reserve at Lake Keowee and The Preserve at Verdae. The BMW Charity Pro-Am presented by SYNNEX Corporation is a tournament where amateurs and celebrities are grouped with professionals in a four-day better-ball competition over three courses. The Professional winner of the overall 72-hole event will take home $121,500 from the total purse of $675,000.
Upcoming Holiday Events
St. Patrick's Day - March 13th, 2 p.m - Ireland on Parade / Festival, featuring bands, floats and Irish dancers. The parade will commence at 2:00PM at Main St. and Broad St. and march up Main St. and conclude at E. North St. Main St. will be closed to vehicular traffic between E.North St. and College St. for an Irish festival from 3:00-6:00. The Irish festival will feature all things Irish, Irish music, Irish dancing,Irish food,Irish beer and soft drinks. Greenville, it's green indeed!
Passover - April 17th, 10:30 a.m - 4:30 p.m. - ShalomFest has evolved from a congregational event to a community-wide attraction. While food remains a highlight with traditional Jewish meals and desserts available throughout the day, the many cultural offerings also appeal to interested attendees of all religions. In fact, curiosity about Judaism is incredibly prevalent among area residents. ShalomFest’16 attendees will enjoy reenactments of lifestyle events (Bar/Bat Mitzvah; Jewish Wedding); live Klezmer music and Israeli song & dance; a broad spectrum of Jewish cultural activities including holiday celebrations, cooking demonstrations, and craft projects. There will be presentations on religion, language and Israel as well as games for children. Local Rabbis will present a Speaker Series offering new topics of interest for attendees.
Easter - March 27th, 7 a.m. - Chimney Rock 61st Annual Sunrise Service - Just a little to the north of Greenville, a legendary event takes place. Celebrate the glory of Easter with song, scripture and spiritual music as a spectacular sunrise ascends over Lake Lure. Chimney Rock’s annual Easter Sunrise Service attracts more than 1,000 early risers from around the Southeast each year. This nondenominational event features live music and an inspirational message. Guests are invited to eat breakfast at the Old Rock Café and stay to enjoy the Park all day. Admission to the sunrise service is free. Guests who would like to return to the Park after eating breakfast can show their bulletin at the Ticket Plaza to receive free admission for Sunday, March 27. A breakfast buffet will be offered at the Old Rock Café following the service.
Weekly Events
Downtown Alive - Every Thursday, 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., March 17th - August 25th - A fundraiser for the Metropolitan Arts Council, this FREE weekly concert series sponsored by Piedmont Natural Gas features a mix of pop, blues, acoustic and reggae performances. At NOMA Square on North Main
Greenville Heritage FCU Main Street Fridays - 5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m., March 18 - September - Presented by Pepsi. Listen and dance to the best in musical entertainment! Bands playing 2 sets at 5:50 p.m and 7:40 p.m. In addition, the Kids' Area features a variety of inflatables to add to the family fun. Also at NOMA Square on North Main.
Saturday Market - May – Oct, 8:30am – 12:30pm. Main St. at McBee Ave. Greenville's gorgeous, glorious farmer's market, and this bunny's personal favorite event in Greenville! Stock up on local vegetables, fruit, eggs, cheese, meats and other home-grown fare from area farmers. Yum!!!
Something a Little Different
Reedy River Duck Derby - May 7th, 2016 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. Post time: 2:30!! - The Duck Derby is a day-long family and children's festival featuring food, games, and activities for children. The day is highlighted by the Derby - the release of 10,000 numbered yellow rubber ducks into the Reedy River. The proceeds will benefit the Mauldin Miracle League (MML), Greenville Area Interfaith Hospitality Network (GAIHN), EarlyAct FirstKnight, Shriners Hospital for Children of Greenville, Building Dreams Mentoring, Polio Plus and Partners in Agriculture.
The Rotary Club of Greenville Evening, a service organization of local business men and women, holds the Reedy River Duck Derby annually as its primary community service project. This is the twelfth consecutive year that the group has organized this charitable fundraiser.
Dragon Boat Upstate Festival - April 30th, Portman Marina, Lake Hartwell - The Dragon Boat Upstate Festival, now in it's tenth year, has raised over $1.7 million to date in support of local families and hosts more than 1,500 visitors and team members during the annual event. Paddlers, volunteers and supporters enjoy a day at the lake while supporting cancer research, rehabilitation programs through the Center for Integrative Oncology and Survivorship and other cancer services at the GHS Cancer Institute.
Greek Festival - May 14th - 17th, Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 406 N. Academy - Greenville becomes “Greekville” as the magic of Greece comes to town. Authentic Greek food served in the Church’s Hellenic Center during lunch and dinner. Take-out orders for food and pastries will also be available throughout the weekend. Enjoy live Greek music. Bazooki and traditional folk dancing throughout the weekend. Dancers dressed in traditional costumes of the various regions and islands of Greece will perform authentic dances. Sip exotic Greek coffee and indescribable "loukoumades". And there will also be Greek wine. Ongoing tours of our beautiful Greek Orthodox Cathedral will explore the mystical symbolism and history of the Eastern Orthodox faith. Discover this Apostolic Christian religion that dates back to 33 AD. See our beautiful mosaics and icons to learn the roles they play in the Church.
Gallabrae Scottish Games - Parade May 27th, 6 p.m. Main Street Greenville, Scottish Games May 28th, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Furman University - Come and enjoy the 10th anniversary! The Upstate of South Carolina has, arguably, one of the highest concentrations of Scots-Irish descendants in the country. A great event for the whole family, this two-day festival was created in 2006 as a tribute to the region's Celtic forebears, and includes a parade, music, athletic competition and dancing. Friday: Great Scot! parade downtown and Ceilidh music on the TD Stage in the Peace Center Amphitheater. Saturday: Scottish Games at Furman.
And you can't miss the All-Day Border Collie Invitationals and watch really smart animals (okay, the sheep aren't too smart) herd sheep and ducks, all to the tune of a whistle. A car, dare I say, nut? Come to one of the most beautiful malls (not the shopping kind, the oak-tree canopied kind) in the country at Furman and check out the antique British cars, some of which you've never seen. Have you served in the military? Be at our Opening Ceremonies for the and let us honor and thank you like you deserve.
Do you have small children? Wee Scotland is for you, and them. They'll get a passport to admit them to their own Scottish village, and you can enjoy them enjoying us. Teens, young adults, not-so-young adults? Celtic rock bands! Whoa! Like to watch world championship athletics? Got you covered, we have been awarded the World Masters Championship for Heavy Athletes, you have got to see this to believe it. Watch for the Japanese guy in a kilt throwing really heavy stuff.
Beefy dudes in kilts! And I thought I was furry! I think we have it covered... for now. Did you see anything you like? Yeah, thought so! See you here for springtime in Greenville SC!
--Percy
