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Best Farmers Markets in South Carolina

‘Tis the season for fresh local produce! South Carolina is home to some delicious produce – all of which is locally farmed. Check out some of these farmers markets around the state, where you can get your hands on some local fruits and vegetables.

Charleston Farmers Market

This Marion Square-based farmers market has been providing fresh produce and local goods to residents and tourists alike since 1989. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the farmers market is currently running as the “Charleston Essentials Market,” only allowing certain local vendors to participate – but is still a must-see market. It is set to run through November.

Greenville State Farmers Market

Located at 1354 Rutherford Rd in Greenville, SC, the Greenville State Farmers Market houses both retail sheds and farmers stalls for consumers to browse through. They are open Monday through Saturday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm, all year-round – except for Christmas Day and New Year’s Day.

Pee Dee State Farmers Market

The Pee Dee State Farmers Market sits on fifty-five acres of land, which was previously used as farmland. In addition to fresh produce, customers can also explore the largely expanding industries of horticulture and floriculture. Located on US Highway 52, this farmers market is open year round and is a great place to stop on the way to Myrtle Beach.

South Carolina State Farmers Market

The South Carolina State Farmers Market houses a plethora of fresh produce from farmers and vendors from around the state. While this state farmers market runs year round, the peak season for local produce is April through October. The South Carolina State Farmers Market is located at 3483 Charleston Highway, West Columbia, SC.

News

Clemson-Based Hotel Will Employ Workers with Intellectual Disabilities

A new hotel in Clemson is working to provide employment opportunities to a vital segment of people here in South Carolina.

The Shepherd Hotel, Clemson’s only downtown hotel, is aiming to decrease the unemployment rate for adults with intellectual disabilities. 

The Shepherd Hotel has partnered with ClemsonLIFE to help prepare individuals with intellectual disabilities for employment. ClemsonLIFE, “a program at Clemson University offers a collegiate experience that prepares young men and women with intellectual disabilities for competitive employment and independent living through a combination of academic coursework and career exploration.”

The program is helping to identify the strengths of individuals interested in working at the boutique hotel and training them accordingly. 

The goal of the hotel is “to approach the employment of individuals with special needs as a business challenge rather than one designated to social services.”

Students are eagerly anticipating the opening of the hotel, which is expected to be in April 2022.

News

Spring to the Annual Pickens Azalea Festival This April

Spring has sprung, which means the Pickens Azalea Festival is just around the corner. This annual festival has taken place for over 30 years and is not only a way to celebrate the blooming flowers, but also to bring together friends and family.

According to the event website, the festival first began “in the spring of 1983 as a small, juried show called the Mountain Arts & Crafts Show and organized by the Pickens Civitan Club was held in the north end of Pickens.”

The festival allows people to admire the beauty of the azaleas “while strolling the streets of Pickens that are filled with artists offering a variety of their work and crafts, local organizations handing out important information on a series of topics, and an assortment of food that will entice even the pickiest of eaters.”

This year’s festival will take place on April 16th and 17th. It kicks off with a Cruise-in on Friday night, where a variety of classic cars will take the streets to welcome everyone to Pickens.

The Azalea Festival 5K will take place on the morning of Saturday, April 17 at the Doodle Park. You can register online to participate in the race. The remainder of the day will be full of family-friendly events. 

Click here to learn more about the festival and what you can expect at this year’s event!

News

Prestigious Sporting Event to Take Place in the Upstate in 2022

One of the world’s largest professional bass tournaments is coming back to Greenville.

B.A.S.S recently announced the decision to hold the 2022 Academy Sports + Outdoors Bassmaster Classic presented by Huk at Lake Hartwell, a familiar location for the tournament. Since 2008 the tournament has been held in Greenville a total of four times. 

Next year’s Bassmaster Classic will take place from March 4th through March 6th. In addition to Lake Hartwell, other tournament events will take place at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena and the Greenville Convention Center.

On the decision to hold the tournament in Greenville, Bruce Akin, CEO of B.A.S.S., said, “Everything about Lake Hartwell and the city of Greenville make them the perfect setting for the Super Bowl of Professional Bass Fishing…Lake Hartwell provides the perfect site for amazing competition, and the city of Greenville provides the hotels, restaurants and other facilities you need for an event the size of the Classic.”

The Bassmaster Classic is a large attraction for the city, providing one of the largest economic impacts for Greenville. 

Featured

COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility Expanded in South Carolina

As of Wednesday, March 31st, any South Carolinian aged 16 and older is eligible to schedule and receive their COVID-19 vaccine, marking South Carolina’s move to Phase 2 of the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.

In an effort to get as many individuals vaccinated as possible, South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster made the decision to skip Phase 1C, which would have only included individuals aged 45 and older, and opened up the vaccine eligibility to include more people.

In a statement on the decision to open vaccine eligibility, DHEC Director Dr. Edward Simmer said, “We started by making vaccines available to those who were most vulnerable to the effects of COVID-19; the elderly, those with high risk of exposure at work, and those with medical conditions that worsen the effects of COVID-19…we are now able to offer three very safe and effective vaccines to all South Carolina residents over the age of 16 – another step on our path to take control of COVID-19 instead of it controlling us and getting back to normal.”

Click here to find a COVID-19 vaccination center near you and schedule your vaccine.

News

Popular SC Drive-In Theatre Hopes to Re-Open this Spring

April 26, 2021 marks the 70th anniversary of the opening of the Big Mo, a popular drive-in theatre in Lexington County. 

The Big Mo, also known as the Monetta Drive-In Theatre, was forced to shut down in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but is hoping to reopen soon. 

The drive-in theatre is located on Columbia Highway North in Monetta, South Carolina and features three different outdoor screens, where people have long come to catch a glimpse of Hollywood’s latest movie releases. 

According to their website, “the 2021 season is tentatively scheduled to begin in late April/May. Several factors will be considered in choosing an opening date:  the status of the virus, the progress of vaccinations, the availability of potentially profitable movies, and the ability to hire staff and service the projectors.”

While the safety of staff and patrons is the biggest priority for the Big Mo, opening the drive-in also relies heavily on the release of new movies. Due to the pandemic and the closing of most indoor theatres, many movie release dates have been pushed back.

However, officials are hopeful they will be back in business sometime this Spring. 

Follow the Big Mo on social media for updates.

News

Senator Massey Discusses Hot Topics In South Carolina On Podcast Appearance

On a recent podcast, popular with political and media figures, the State Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey discussed the big issues the SC State Senate are addressing this session. 

Senator Massey was a recent guest on the “Bourbon In The Backroom” podcast, hosted by former State Senators Joel Lourie and Vincent Sheheen, to discuss all things SC politics. 

To start off the interview, Massey said he was pleased with the progress made in the first seven weeks of the legislative session, including passing the Fetal Heartbeat Bill, working with the state health officials from the Department of Health and Environment Control (DHEC), and coordinating vaccine distribution. 

The Majority Leader also discussed the issues schools have faced because of the pandemic. Now that a vaccine is available, Massey said, “we’ve got to get the kids back in school. 5 days a week, in front of their teachers.” He also mentioned his concern that “[he hears] consistently from teachers that the kids who need to be in school the most are the ones who have gone full virtual.” 

After spending some time discussing possible remedial efforts post COVID, the conversation moved to discussing the future of the embattled state-owned electric utility, Santee Cooper.

The leader of the Senate’s Republicans told the hosts that back in 2017, “we knew Santee Cooper’s day was coming, we just knew it would take awhile” – his prediction was correct. 

Now in the 2021 Legislative Session, the Santee Cooper debate has moved to the State Senate. While Massey did not comment on his position, he did say, “we cannot allow Santee Cooper to continue operating as they’ve been operating,” and that “the longer things go, the less confidence [he has] in Santee Cooper’s ability to fix itself.”

Senator Massey’s comments on the podcast came before his remarks during a recent debate in the State Senate on the future of the struggling public utility. 

“We have got to decide this issue this year, this legislative session” said Massey addressing his fellow state senate members on Thursday March 11. 

Given Massey’s position as the Majority Leader of the State Senate, his remarks indicate action on the future of state-owned Santee Cooper is more likely. Stay tuned. 

Eat & Drink

How to Get Free Doughnuts for the Rest of the Year

In an effort to encourage Americans to get the COVID-19 vaccine, Krispy Kreme Doughnuts has created a sweet new promotion. 

Krispy Kreme is offering free doughnuts for the rest of the year for individuals who have received the COVID-19 vaccine. 

From now until the end of 2021, customers can bring in their COVID-19 vaccination card once a day and will receive a free original glazed doughnut. The offer is valid inside Krispy Kreme stores or through their drive-thru. 

According to their website, “qualified guests include anyone who has received at least 1 of the 2 shots of the Moderna or Pfizer COVID-19 Vaccine or 1 shot of the Johnson & Johnson COVID-19 Vaccine.”

Dave Skena, Krispy Kreme’s Chief Marketing Officer, issued a statement detailing the doughnut chain’s decision to implement the offer saying, “We all want to get COVID-19 behind us as fast as possible and we want to support everyone doing their part to make the country safe by getting vaccinated as soon as the vaccine is available to them.” 

There are 18 Krispy Kreme stores throughout South Carolina that are taking part in this offer.

Click here for more information on the promotion or to find a Krispy Kreme location near you.