south carolina events

SC Aquarium Offering Free Admission For Health Care Workers

In order to honor health care workers that have fought throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the South Carolina Aquarium has begun a “Healthcare Heroes Month”. Employees of Roper St. Francis, Trident Medical Center, East Cooper Medical Center, and MUSC will receive free admission from Aug. 17 – Sept. 13.

As a means of reserving your ticket, healthcare workers can call (843) 557-3474. Upon the arrival of your designated entry time, proof of employment must be provided at the admissions gate. Friends and family of healthcare workers do not apply for free entry. Those who do not can reserve a ticket here.

While SC continues to fight against Coronavirus, the South Carolina Aquarium will be working at limited capacity. Tickets must be purchased online (or via phone). Face masks are also required for all those entering the building ages 3 and up. Safety is a top priority at the Aquarium, as the staff wants to offer assurance to all guests. Hand sanitizing stations are available throughout the building, and elevator access is limited to one family at a time. For more specific guidelines, please visit the SC website.

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SC State Fair Will Be a “Drive-Thru” This Year

This year is “a year like no other,” as that’s the theme for the SC State Fair. Instead of your regular free-for-all fling, this year will commence as a drive-thru experience. The event beings Tuesday, October 20th and ends Wednesday, October 21st. The original fair will no longer take place.

The SC fair is known for being the largest event across the state, making it necessary to enforce social distancing and healthy safety precautions regarding COVID-19. Though there won’t be any rides, the free-to-enter event will be a twist on drive-thru restaurants. From the comfort of your car, fair-goers can purchase their favorite local bites. There will also be a drive-thru cattle exhibit.

It’s important to keep the fair going as a means of giving back to the local SC community. “Our fair industry has really been devastated through the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of (the fairs) have already been held or were supposed to already have been held and have been canceled. We’re all looking for a genius way to do things and they started with the food drive aspect,” said South Carolina State Fair General Manager Nancy Smith.

While things may look a little bit different, there will still be plenty of food, fun, and family time at this year’s beloved state fair. As for 2021, the team running the show hopes to return in full swing.

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What To Do During Your Next Weekend Getaway To Hilton Head Island, SC

Summer trips aren’t entirely canceled this year. While you might not be able to book a getaway overseas, that doesn’t mean you can’t travel at all. Gear up for a road trip this summer and head to Hilton Head Island, SC. Your family trip or weekend getaway can still be packed full of adventure. Check out this list of activities for your next visit to Hilton Head.

Hit the Beach

It wouldn’t be a trip to Hilton Head without a relaxing day at the beach. Luckily, they’ve got many to choose from. Coligny Beach Park is a fan favorite and by far the most popular. With gorgeous sunsets and perfect weather for a day on the coast, you’ll be left wanting to extend your trip. For those seeking a bit more peace and quiet, Mitchelville Beach is sure to please. This northeastern end shore is a great remote relaxation spot.

Visit a Museum

Once you’ve got your taste of the sun, head to the Coastal Discovery Museum for free admission. This 68-acre museum offers culture and history your kids will love. Not only will families adore it, but travelers can enjoy the stunning oak trees and gardens as far as the eye can see. There’s something for everyone at this outdoor ecological preserve.

Have a Night in Harbour Town

For fun, shopping, and socializing, a night in Harbour Town is just the answer. The downtown Hilton Head district is filled with scenic views and delicious restaurants. You’ll feel like you’re inside a postcard! Meander down the streets post-dinner for a picturesque evening sunset along the water.

Go Golfing

The famous RBC Heritage PGA golf tournament takes place at the Harbour Town Link. Book a tee time for the same greens your favorite golfers competed on. Not only is Harbour Town a stunning spot, but there are 24 other private and public championship golf courses to choose from. Grab your visor and glove because it’s time to hit the greens!

Rent a Boat Tour

For an up-close and personal look into the elegant waterways, you’ll want to book a boat tour. See the beach from a new perspective while enjoying a nice sea breeze. Cast a line or enjoy a lunch on the boat. Either way, this is an experience you simply won’t want to miss.

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The 5 Best Wedding Venues in SC

It should come as no shock to anyone that South Carolina is one of the wedding capitals of the world. With countless streets lined with Spanish moss and warm weather year-round, engaged couples seem to fall in love with the scenic Carolinas. For those considering tying the knot in the palmetto state, check out this round-up of the five best wedding venues South Carolina has to offer.

William Aiken House

This Lowcountry locale is located directly off King Street, the main road on the downtown Charleston peninsula. The William Aiken House is a dreamy garden escape just feet away from the most lively boulevard. Its well-groomed green space is almost unheard of! Besides its picturesque location, the open-air piazzas and elegant reflection pool make it quintessential for saying “I-Do.”

Kiawah River

Kiawah Island is known for its vast golf courses and calm beaches, but just down the road is the Kiawah River sea-island. This homestead is cloaked with an awning of oak trees with Spanish moss dangling like a chandelier. The natural beauty paints the perfect backdrop for celebrating love.

Lowndes Groove

This Charleston waterfront venue has stood for nearly four centuries. Known for its 14-acres of nature, Lowndes Grove attracts couples who have a passion for the outdoors. Dine al fresco or pitch a tented installation. You’re sure to enjoy an evening in this idyllic estate.

Harbour Town Yacht Club HHI, SC

Located in Hilton Head, SC, the Harbour Town Yacht Club has hosted weddings for over thirty years. Its famous lighthouse acts as a beacon for engaged couples. They adore the scenic view and surrounding nightlife its location has to offer. If you’re looking to dine on the finer side, this venue’s got you covered with its Club Room and outdoor patio.

Montage Palmetto Bluff

Hope to many celebrity nuptials over the years, Montage Palmetto Bluff is the pinnacle of elegance. Located in Bluffton, SC, this destination features a pristine chapel and charming Village Square. Guests can enjoy the oversized verandas and luxurious oak ballroom. It’s truly a fantasy come alive.

News

SC Governor to Reopen Public Attraction Facilities

Prior to memorial day weekend, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster stated that public attractions are now allowed to reopen throughout South Carolina.

The facilities themselves cover a large span of locales. From zoos and museums to parks and go-kart tracks, people are once again allowed to enjoy their services. This excludes nightclubs, bowling alleys, sporting events, and any other indoor activities where you could be within close proximity to others. The 6-feet-apart social distancing rule is still suggested.

The Carowinds amusement park is excluded as they’ve chosen to remain closed.

McMaster announced that youth and adult sporting leagues are now welcome to host practices. In Master’s guidelines for re-opening, he states “The value of team sports as a form of recreation that provides positive impacts on both individual physical health and the social health of our communities.” Outdoor activities, especially in the summer, are a large part of the South Carolina community.

Effective May 31st, practices return. Effective June 15th, games and competitions return. This slow integration is in response to coronavirus and public health recommendations.

McMaster reinforces communication, sanitation, and hydration during this transition. With these pillars in place, he is hopeful sporting events will return in a safely this summer.

Eat & Drink

This Year’s South Carolina Fall Festivals

Featured Image: Godwin Motors
October is here, bringing cool weather, all things pumpkin and, most importantly, the start of fall! Thankfully, the Palmetto State has plenty of different festivals every year to get you in the autumn mood. Here are just a few of the many fall festivals you can enjoy throughout South Carolina throughout the next two months!

South Carolina State Fair
When: October 9-20
Where: Columbia
This year’s 150th annual South Carolina State Fair will carry out the tradition of big names in entertainment, competitions, food, rides and exhibits. Held since 1869, you know this fall fair is doing things right to still be going on 150 years later!

Fall for Greenville
When: October 11-13
Where: Greenville
The Southeast’s most popular outdoor festival is put on every fall right in the Upstate. With over 200 menu items from 40 restaurants and 7 stages of live entertainment taking up 8 blocks of downtown Greenville, this event is definitely a fall favorite!

Myrtle Beach Oktoberfest
When: October 11-12
Where: Myrtle Beach
The 10th Annual Myrtle Beach Oktoberfest will include German foods and other items from over 60 vendors, a petting zoo, pumpkin patch and of course a beer garden! Don’t miss out on the Steinholding contest, relay contests or the eating contests.

South Carolina Sweet Potato Festival
When: October 12
Where: Darlington
Since 1983, Darlington’s public square fills up with all types of sweet potato dishes on the second Saturday of every October. From sweet potato pies to funnel cakes, this Autumn root makes for one of the greatest Fall festivals around!

Habersham Harvest Festival
When: October 19-20
Where: Beaufort
This street festival emphasizes all things local for a weekend of family fun in the Lowcountry. With local food vendors, fall crops and artisan crafts, this coastal festival will warm your heart in the cold fall weather!

Art & Music Funk Fest
When: November 2
Where: Myrtle Beach
During every hour of this craft beer and local art festival, a new limited beer is released for attendees to try. Come celebrate local arts and great drinks on the Grand Strand!

Hilton Head Oyster Festival
When: November 8
Where: Hilton Head Island
What better way to celebrate fall than with an oyster roast! This fall festival allows you to try all types of oysters from fried to stewed and enjoy live entertainment. The best part is, it’s all you can eat!

South Carolina State Bluegrass Festival
When: November 28-30
Where: Myrtle Beach
This year’s 50th Annual SC Bluegrass Festival will offer tons of bluegrass artists to celebrate this sweet southern music. Head to Myrtle Beach this Thanksgiving weekend for three days of fall fun, while relaxing to the sound of the best bluegrass musicians around.

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The Carolina Shag – A State Tradition

Featured Image: Jarrett Hucks

From the Carolina Wren to Carolina Gold Rice, South Carolina is full of iconic state symbols. One that stands out above the rest is the Palmetto State’s official dance: the Carolina Shag.

In the 1940s, the Shag became a favorite dance among young people of that decade. Born only years before on the beaches of South Carolina, Shag quickly gained popularity originally after the rise of big band swing music in the decades before. As popular music began to shift to beach music and R&B, the Carolina Shag was created to the beat of those genres.

Initially, this phenomenon was called “Fast Dancing” and those that danced along the beach in this style were called “Jitterbuggers” or “Beach Cats.” The name “Shag” did not come until years later after beaches along the Carolina coasts had already picked up this new dance style.

As people continued to dance in coastal pavilions of South and North Carolina, each town and each beach gained its own variation of the Shag that still exists today. Across South Carolina, you can see regional differences in how people approach the Carolina Shag.

At its root, though, the dancing pattern is a simple “one-and-two, three-and-four, five-six” step. In terms of those not familiar with the Shag, the steps are simply stepping forward and backward while shifting your weight from right to left. With those simple steps, the Shag allows dancers to spice things up with more advanced moves like the “pretzel” or “twist hooks.”

With its rich South Carolina history, the Shag officially became the state dance in 1984. Today, its tradition carries on with events and functions throughout the Palmetto State and the South centered around Shag.

Learn to shag today or take a look at some of the other things that make our great state an even greater place to live!

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10 Things To Do In South Carolina This Spring

Featured Image Source: High Water Festival FB / ?: Eli Johnson Photography

Spring has sprung and warmer temperatures are here in the Palmetto state. That means it’s time for the outdoor festivities to begin.

Here are ten events this spring you won’t want to miss:

World Grits Festival

When: April 12, 13, & 14

Where: St. George

What: A three-day grits festival celebrating the town of St. George and their tremendous grit-eating abilities. Dating all the back to 1986, the World Grits Festival started because the people of St. George ate more grits per capita than any other place in the world! During the celebration, there’s a 5k, numerous contests, and even a grit rolling competition.

South Carolina Bar-b-Que Shag Festival

When: April 11, 12, & 13

Where: Hemingway

What: The yearly South Carolina bar-b-que shag festival is a three-day event featuring a BBQ cook-off, a car show, rides, music, and a lot of dancing. The grand prize for the Marion “Woody” Curtis BBQ cook-off is $3,000!

High Water Fest 2019

When: April 13 & 14

Where: North Charleston

What: Two full days of great music, delicious food, flowing drinks, and good vibes. This year music acts include Leon Bridges, Lord Huron, Butch Walker, Shovels & Rope, and many more.

Lowcountry Hemp Festival

When: April 20

Where: James Island

What: An event raising awareness and advocating for CBD & Lowcountry NORML, a local nonprofit organization fighting for the reform of cannabis/hemp laws in South Carolina. This a free event including food trucks, live music, raffle items, and more!

Myrtle Beach International Film Festival

When: April 23-27

Where: Myrtle Beach

What: This year is the 14th annual Myrtle Beach International Film Festival with a week of great cinema, networking, and a huge crowd of film enthusiasts.

5th Annual South Carolina Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival

When: April 27

Where: Columbia

What: Featuring a long list of the most popular dishes in the area and dozens of regional and national breweries, the South Carolina Food Truck & Craft Beer Festival is one of the most delicious festivals you’ll ever attend.

Lowcountry Shrimp Festival

When: May 4

Where: McClellanville

What: For the past 41 years, McClellanville has welcomed visitors from near and far to enjoy the Lowcountry Shrimp Festival and Blessing of the Fleet. With a ton of delicious food (there’s also chicken and bbq for those nonseafood eaters), live music, and drinks this is a can’t miss event in South Carolina every year.

South Carolina Poultry Festival

When: May 9-11

Where: Leesville

What: What better way to spend a few days than eating delicious food and celebrating chicken? Started in 1986 to celebrate the largest agri-business in South Carolina, the festival quickly grew to a huge festival welcoming crowds of people and hosting the #1 World’s Best Chicken Cooking Contest.

South Carolina Strawberry Festival

When: April 26-May 4

Where: Fort Mill

What: The South Carolina Strawberry Festival is a week-long festival pack-filled with activities including a pageant, a golf tournament, eating contests, jam making, live music, and wrestling. Each day is something different and is a blast!

Hampton County Watermelon Festival

When: June 14-23

Where: Hampton County

What: Much like the Strawberry Festival, the Hampton County Watermelon Festival is filled with fun. There’s a full lineup of bands, a parade, street dance, fishing tournament, and a battle of the towns.

Get ready for a fun spring South Carolina!

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