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Hillbilly Day - Mountain Rest
Starts: 07/04/2025 - Ends: 07/04/2025
Come on over for live bluegrass bands under a shady 5000 sq ft pavilion, with arts & crafts, hickory-smoked BBQ, greased pig chase, horse-drawn wagon, snow cones, costume contests, clogging contests, children's games, and more! Hillbilly Day was founded in 1959 and is a celebration of Appalachian mountain culture and crafts. Free admission. Parking donations accepted. Bring your own lawn chair for some traditional Appalachian music and family fun!
Hillbilly Day History
Hillbilly Day began between 1959 and 1961 to celebrate the Fourth of July and to showcase local talent in the areas of fiddling, square dancing, buck dancing, and political oration. The first gathering included music played in the back of a pickup, and a greased pole competition for the young, with money at the top as the prize. It has been an annual event that draws at least 5000 people to the small community of Mountain Rest on the Fourth of July. Homemade food and Bluegrass music are plentiful all day long, as well as demonstrations and competitions for sheep shearers, yodelers, and cloggers. Whoever has a talent is invited to come onstage, young'uns and old-timers. The crowd cheers for the most authentic hillbilly costume, and some them have been the same outfit worn by the same person for the last 50 years!
Children have run around barefooted and rolled in the sand to prepare to pile on top of each other to climb the greased pole where money has pinned at the top. Of course, it's a team effort, and the child on the bottom of the pile has to have strong shoulders. Tug-of-war, tossing games, chicken coops, goat pens, roosters, rabbits, soap making, pottery throwing, face painting, fabric crafts, hillbilly T-shirts, corncob pipes- you name itm it's there- even a blacksmith and wood carvers. Grills and smokers are aplenty with chicken and barbeque; there are homemade cakes and pies, and of course, ice cream.
Watch out, because when the greased pig is let loose, it will run under your feet, followed by dozens of fast children racing to catch it, knocking over everything in their path.
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Mice-on-Main, Greenville
Starts: 03/01/2022 - Ends: 12/31/2025
In a lot of cities, the last thing you want to see is a mouse. This isn't the case in Greenville, where nine bronze mice have taken up permanent residence along our celebrated Main Street. For a fun, kid-friendly activity, see if you can find all nine of the small bronze mice hidden along the five blocks of Main Street in downtown Greenville. If you want more information, go to Mice-On-Main or download the scavenger hunt clues here.
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The Great Anderson County Fair
Starts: 05/01/2025 - Ends: 05/11/2025
The Great Anderson County Fair is an 11-day event just 9 miles from the KOA. There are rides for kids of all ages, a variety of free and paid concerts, unlimited ride times, exhibits which include antique tractors, RVs, and other vendors, free shows including pig racing and a petting zoo, and of course, typical fair food!
Visit Visit their website for policies and schedule.
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A Little Birdie Told Me...
Starts: 03/01/2022 - Ends: 12/31/2025
...that Main Street in Anderson is aflutter with dozens of Carolina Wrens roosting in some unusual spots. Stroll through our downtown and see if you can find them. A scavenger hunt with 27 bronze wrens perched on historic locations are just waiting to be found. Modeled after South Carolina's state bird, the wrens are spread throughout the downtown area, but a focal point statue is at the corner of River and Main streets. Families love looking for these little bronze statues but so do adults, especially if you take a break and eat at one of the terrific downtown restaurants!
(The Carolina Wren is the state bird of South Carolina. You are more likely to hear a Carolina Wren than see them. They are loud, with a "tea-kettle, tea-kettle, tea-kettle" warble. They are common in urban areas.)
Get your clues here!
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The Electric City Soiree - Anderson
Starts: 04/25/2025 - Ends: 04/26/2025
The Soiree is Anderson's signature arts festival featuring performing, culinary, and visual arts. Come to downtown Anderson for the 2-day event with over 50 artists in attendance, local and regional talent performing across multiple stages, and delicious food from downtown restaurants and food trucks! Enjoy Kid's Kingdom with children's crafts, games, and more.
You don't want to miss this FREE downtown Anderson event this spring.
Visit Downtown Anderson Soiree for more information.
See you at the Soiree!
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Historic Pendleton Spring Jubilee
Starts: 04/05/2025 - Ends: 04/06/2025
One of the top festivals in our area, this springtime festival is a weekend of quality arts and crafts, antiques, a variety of musical entertainment, historic tours, bike rides, unique shops, and restaurants.
Over 300 artisans vie for the coveted 100 spaces. Local and regional entertainers fill the air with music. Due to the festival's reputation for consistency and quality, thousands of people pour into historic Pendleton the first weekend in April. As patrons look at unique, one-of-a-kind arts and crafts from around the country, live entertainment fills the air with music, and local food vendors tempt you with smells of delicious foods.
Saturday 10am - 6pm, Sunday noon - 5pm
For more information, visit Historic Pendleton Spring Jubilee.
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Oconee Bell Nature Trail
Starts: 03/14/2022 - Ends: 12/31/2025
One of South Carolina's most unique and earliest wildflowers, the Oconee Bell, can be found blooming from mid-March to early April. Colonies of the Oconee Bells blooming in their entire splendor can be seen along the Oconee Bell Trail at Devils Fork State Park, a gateway to the Jocassee Gorges. The Oconee Bell is a rare flower found only in a few locations near the southern Appalachians. You can recognize the Oconee Bell by its white and yellow blossom with red stems and red-tinged leaves.
To catch a glimpse of this delicate and unique wildflower, make a trip to Devils Fork State Park during its blooming season and walk the Oconee Bell Nature Trail. Wear comfortable walking shoes. The walk is designed for ages ten and older. The Oconee Bell Nature Trail is an easy 1-mile loop trail that received its name for the rare wildflower that can be found along the footpath.
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Explore Anderson the Healthy Way
Starts: 03/01/2022 - Ends: 12/31/2025
Explore the downtown Anderson area by walking. There are three routes that will get you out and moving. Take the "Healthy" Route (3 miles), the "Civic" Route (1 mile), or the "Cultural" Route (2 miles) .
The three-mile Healthy Route is the longest route and links to several health and fitness facilities.
The Civic Route is named such for the many governmental agencies along this one-mile route.
The Cultural Route is two miles; you will find many museums, art, and theatre destinations here. No matter which route you choose, there is much to see and admire along the way; our beautiful historic buildings, courtyards, fountains, and many public art installations. Have fun on your way; count how many fish or wrens you see. You can also gain wisdom by reading our Wise Walks that are etched in our sidewalks.
Brochures with the routes are available in the KOA office or at the Anderson Visitors and Convention Bureau.
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Pickens Azalea Festival
Starts: 04/25/2025 - Ends: 04/26/2025
"When the Azaleas are blooming in Pickens, South Carolina, the little town celebrates!"
For over 40 years, friends and family have come back home for one of the largest family reunions in the Southeast, the Pickens Azalea Festival. Join us as we welcome local artisan & crafters, tastes from across the Southeast, and musicians from across the nation.
The Pickens Azalea Festival continues Friday Night with our cruise-in in the heart of Pickens, S.C. Roads will close at 6 PM as cars, jeeps, and classics from all eras take the streets in one of the largest cruise-ins in the Southeast!
Pickens Azalea Festival's biggest day is Saturday, as hundreds of artisans, crafters, civic organizations, nonprofits, and businesses take the streets! This day, full of family fun, has entertainment throughout the day! Children's games, a complete variety of foods, arts and crafts, and live entertainment throughout the day. History comes alive with tours of the downtown, Hagood-Mauldin House, and the Pickens County Museum. And for a challenge, see if you can find all of the "Turtles on the Town."
We can't wait to see you there!
Admission is free. Visit Pickens Azalea Festival online for more information.
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Fireworks on the Fourth, Greenville
Starts: 07/04/2025 - Ends: 07/04/2025
In celebration of Independence Day, a long-standing tradition will be brought back to the City of Greenville – Fireworks on the Fourth! We invite the community to join us at Unity Park on July 4 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. for a spectacular fireworks show in our beautiful 60-acre park. Come early, bring a blanket and picnic dinner, and enjoy a memorable evening as we honor our great country.
Live Music will play on the Welcome Center deck from 7:30 - 9:00pm.
Food trucks may include the Noodle Lady, HipBurger, the Pound Cake Man and Aspen Street Sweets
Fireworks will go off at 9:30 p.m.
This is a free event.
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South Carolina State Chili Cook-Off - Belton
Starts: 04/12/2025 - Ends: 04/12/2025
The South Carolina Chili Cook-off Championship is a family-friendly event headquartered in Belton. Held annually, the Cook-off offers individuals, teams, and organizations the chance to take home big bucks and beautiful trophies, along with a shot at the ICS World Finals' $25,000 grand prize. Proceeds from the Chili Cook-off benefit the Belton Center for the Arts, the Belton Area Museum Association, Shalom Recovery House and the Belton Interfaith Ministry Association.
You are invited to come and enjoy CHILI, arts and crafts exhibits and sales by local and regional artisans, informational booths hosted by area businesses and services, homemade baked goods, canned goods, cookbooks, and other items offered by local churches, and special exhibits at Belton's tennis museum, railroad museum, and art center. The chili cook off booths go all day long for you to sample.
Chili Tasting begins at 11:30am.
Tasting tickets: 5 tastes for $5
Tasting bands: $15 for unlimited tastes
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See the Rare Oconee Bell Flower during Bellfest
Starts: 03/15/2025 - Ends: 03/15/2025
Celebrate the rare Oconee Bell, shortia galacifolia, the local harbinger of Spring. Learn about its interesting place in history and view it blooming in the park.
Live Music
Food Truck
Kids' Activities (Craft table, scavenger hunt, & tattoos. Critters & More will have cuddly animals & exhibits. Jocassee Wild Child & other vendors will have kid-friendly activities as well),
Geocache on the Oconee Bell Trail
Guided Trail Walks
Local Vendors
Silent Auction
Please note: Park entry fees apply
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Easter at the KOA
Starts: 04/19/2025 - Ends: 04/19/2025
Bring the kids and they will get an overnight visit from the Easter Bunny who will leave them their own basket. Other activities include a jelly bean guessing contest and a coloring contest.
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Anderson Motor Speedway March to October
Starts: 03/01/2025 - Ends: 10/11/2025
The Anderson Motor Speedway is located just north of I-85 at exit 27 - approximately 15 miles from the campground. Anderson Motor Speedway is a 3/8 mile paved oval. Wide straightaways and tight, tricky corners are infamous for producing close, competitive short track racing most Friday nights in the quest for the checkered flag. Anderson Motor Speedway roars into action each Friday night throughout the summer. A full lineup of the best driving talent from across the Carolinas and Georgia invade the "Supertrack of the Carolinas" each week in the quest for the checkered flag. Anderson Motor Speedway showcases some of the fiercest competition around. Come check out the Super Trucks.
Check out the Anderson Motor Speedway Schedule
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Anderson Makers Market - May 3, 2025
Starts: 05/03/2025 - Ends: 05/03/2025
The best market of the season is BACK
Join us on Saturday, May 3rd for the Anderson Makers Market from 10 am to 4 pm. Celebrate the spring season with over 100+ vendors, food trucks, live music, and activities!
Event Highlights:
Jackson Truluck – 12 PM-3 PM
Crazy Taco.
Fuel Foods Food Truck
Uncorked Mobile Wine Bar
Tipsy Trails Tap Truck
Flo's Cafe
Palmetto Distillery
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Creekquinox Music Festival - March 29, 2025
Starts: 03/29/2025 - Ends: 03/30/2025
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Palmetto All Breed Dog Agility Show - Clemson
Starts: 03/14/2025 - Ends: 03/16/2025
Agility is a fast paced sport where a dog and handler team navigate a series of obstacles such as jumps, tunnels, weave poles and contract equipment. The goal is to complete the course as quickly as possible without faults such as missed contacts or knocked bars. Dogs compete at various levels depending on their demonstrated skill. They start at the Novice level and move to Open then Excellent as they earn qualifying scores at each level. All AKC registered breeds are eligible to compete as well as altered mixed breeds registered through the PAL program at AKC.
This is a free event. If you have never been, it is a fun sport to watch, especially the novice or beginner level!
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Horse Show - Clemson University
Starts: 03/07/2025 - Ends: 03/08/2025
This event features American Saddlebred, Hackney Ponies and Road Horses.
The American Saddlebred is a horse breed from the United States, descended from riding-type horses bred at the time of the American Revolution. They excel in combined driving, dressage, endurance riding, western dressage, jumping, and more. The American Saddlebred with its kind and willing nature is a perfect horse for the whole family to enjoy as companions and trail horses as well!
The Hackney pony is a breed of pony originally bred to pull carriages, They are used today primarily as show ponies. The Hackney can be no taller than 58", a true pony appearance. In the show ring, the Hackney pony is most commonly seen being driven in harness.
The Roadster belonged to the country doctor and the itinerant preacher in days gone by. Famous for its fast trot and ability to go long distances, it was the forerunner of the harness horses you see on the racetrack today. Shown at a jog trot, Road Gait and then at speed, the horses are either hitched to a two-wheeled cart (bike) or a four-wheeled wagon, or shown under saddle. The drivers and riders wear racing silks in farm colors. Roadsters should show animation, brilliance, and competition-ring presence with straight and true action in the jog-trot and Road Gait. "At speed," the horse must show speed and still go in form.
This is a free event!
Friday, March 7, 2025 10:00 am & 6:30 pm
Saturday, March 8, 2025 10:00 am & 6:00 pm
