Archive for October 2022

Three Anderson County recreation projects were awarded funding by the Anderson County Legislative Delegation at its meeting held October 25^th:

• $40,000 in funding from SCRPT’s PARD grant program for development of a pavilion/shelter area to be installed at the Hurricane Springs Park pickleball courts. The addition of the new shelter is a result of direct input from pickleball players and other park patrons.

• $100,000 from SCDNR’s Water Recreation Resource Fund to support installation of a water access ramp and other elements at Piedmont Riverfront Park. This contribution will be used in conjunction with a recently-announced $500,000 Land and Water Conservation Fund award to develop Phase I of this exciting new access point and nature park on the Saluda River Blue Trail.

• $100,000 from the Water Recreation Resource Fund to support installation of water access ramp and associated eligible infrastructure at Belton Landing off of Cooley Bridge Road. Developed in partnership with the City of Belton, this facility serves as a key anchor location for the Saluda River Blue Trail.

Anderson County Council Chair Tommy Dunn said: “We are truly grateful for the Delegation’s continuing support of our efforts to provide a variety of quality recreational opportunities for citizens throughout our community.”

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WHAT: Halloween weekend at Denver Downs Farm in Anderson, which is hosting their 20th annual Fall Festival, is going all out for the fun holiday with children, baby, adult, and dog costume contests, Candy Cannon blasting, live music, pumpkin pie eating contests, and pig races. Costumes are welcome! Sunday is also Dog Day at the Maze. Full schedule is below.

WHEN: Friday, October 28th – Sunday, October 30, 2022. Hours: Friday and Saturday 10am-10pm, Sunday 10am-6pm.

Fall Festival is open Wednesday through Sundays, until November 13, 2022, with additional open days of Nov.7 & 8 for local schools fall break.

WHERE: Denver Downs Farm, Anderson, SC

ABOUT COSTUME CONTESTS: Adults, kids, and babies are invited to enter the Halloween Costume Contest on Saturday and Sunday. The Children’s Costume Contest (ages 2- 14)  will be at 4:30pm on Saturday. The adult contest (and teenagers) is at 6:30pm before the Eric Scott Band performs. Prizes will be awarded. Baby costume contest is at noon on Sunday.

The dog costume contest happens on Sunday at 4pm.

FULL SCHEDULE:

FRIDAY

Festival Open 10am-10pm

6pm Pig Race and Candy Cannon

6:30 pm Pumpkin Pie Eating Contest  (pies from the Sweetery)

7pm-9pm Chris Stokes on Main Stage

SATURDAY

Festival Open 10am-10pm

12 noon Pumpkin Princess Pageant

1:00 PM  Pig Races and Candy Cannon

2:00 PM Louis Sagedy on Stage

3:00 PM   Pig Races and Candy Cannon

4:00 PM Pie Eating Contest (pies from the Sweetery)

4:30 PM Children’s Costume Contest (12 and under)

5:00 PM   Pig Races and Candy Cannon

6:00 PM Bonfires

6:30 PM Adult / big kids Costume Contest

7:00 PM   The Eric Scott Band

SUNDAY

Festival Open 10am-6pm

Dog Day at the Maze

12 Noon Baby Costume Contest

2:00 PM   Spencer Rush on Main Stage

3:00 PM   Pig Races and Candy Cannon

4:00 PM   Dog Costume Contest

5:00 PM   Pig Races and Candy Cannon

5:30 PM Pumpkin Pie Eating Contest (pies from the Sweetery)

VISUALS: Please find visuals for media use on the Denver Downs website here.

CONTACT: Catherine Garrison Davis, 843-297-0140, catherine@denverdownsfarm.com

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Catherine Garrison Davis

Special Events/ Owner

Denver Downs Farm

843-297-0140

ANDERSON, SC (October 26, 2022) – Anderson County has been awarded a $500,000 grant from the US Department of Interior Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF). These funds will be used towards the development of a new recreation facility on the Saluda River in Piedmont.

“This new facility will serve as a key anchor on the Saluda River Blue Trail and bring countless benefits to Piedmont and surrounding area”, said Anderson County Councilmember Jimmy Davis. “I’d like to thank the National Park Service for this significant award and express my gratitude to our friends at SCPRT’s Office of Recreation, Grants and Policy for their invaluable assistance in support of this effort.”

The facility will be developed in the historic village of Piedmont on county-owned property located at 550 River Road at the confluence of the Saluda River and Big Brushy Creek, just north of Piedmont Dam. LWCF funds will assist in development of Phase I of the new park, which will include:

• ADA-accessible kayak launch facility
• 5,000 linear feet of ADA-accessible paved sidewalk
• Improved parking area and access
• Initial development of nature paths, shoreline access trails, and habitat enhancements

“News of this serves as being among the proudest moments of my time in public service”, said SC House District 10 Representative West Cox. “This park will build upon the momentum for renewal that has been building in Piedmont for the last few years, and I am privileged to witness this happening.”

“I can’t begin to say enough good things about the people in Piedmont—their strength and resilience are now being rewarded”, said SC State Senator Mike Gambrell. “The park will bring long-term, sustainable benefits to the community, and I can’t wait to see it come together.”

Piedmont Riverfront Park will be the fifth access facility developed by Anderson County to support the Upper Saluda River Blue Trail. The Blue Trail provides over 70 miles of beginner-friendly and nearly 50 miles of more advanced paddling opportunities. Emanating from the time-scarred valley of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Pickens and Greenville Counties, the Saluda River borders six counties as it flows through Upstate South Carolina.

The efforts described herein will serve to: 1) preserve and protect almost 30 acres of riverfront property; 2) offer improved recreational access to residents and visitors; 3) promote conservation efforts and ecological awareness; and 4) provide additional support to South Carolina’s natural resource-based economy, which has an annual statewide impact of more than $1.6 billion according to a report published by the SC Department of Natural Resources.

Anderson County estimates that the park will directly contribute more than $3 million to the regional economy each year, with indirect impacts exceeding $10 million annually.

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PRESS RELEASE: 10/24/22

Witches and Zombies and Ghosts Invade Lake Hartwell

Since the formation of Lake Harwell there have been tales told of an island cemetery called Ghost Island. Those tales will come to life on stage, October 28^th, 29^th, 30^th and November 4^th, 5^th at the Green Pond Landing Amphitheatre. “The Tales of GHOST Island” is the third production to be presented this year at Green Pond by the RPM Theatre Company in their inaugural season. The first two productions included “A Star Spangled Spectacular” in July and in August they brought “Gilligan’s Island the Musical to the stage. Dave DiGeronimo RPM Theatre Company’s Founder and Executive Director, is also the Author of “The Tales of Ghost Island.” DiGeronimo who is an Anderson resident with a home on Lake Hartwell said, “I wanted to bring something that the community could relate to, and with Ghost Island, right here on Lake Hartwell, it presented the perfect inspiration for a Halloween season play.”

“The Tales of GHOST ISLAND” is a family friendly, Halloween Spooktacular with a mix of facts and fiction about Lake Hartwell’s very own GHOST ISLAND. After the flooding of the area to create the lake in 1962, the hilltop cemetery of the Harrisburg Plantation remained above the water’s surface. Referred to as Ghost Island or Cemetery Island, that hilltop cemetery is where people say there is paranormal activity. The story follows four children that are full of curiosity after hearing some tall tales told by Pepaw, mixed with some history lessons from Memaw. Curiosity has gotten the better of the kids, so they take a boat without permission to explore Ghost Island on a full moon night. Pepaw and Dad get wind of the kids plan and decide they are going to teach them a lesson they will never forget. The kids get more than they bargained for on their adventure as they encounter witches and zombies and ghost. Dad and Pepaw finally relent but there is a very unexpected and unexplainable ending.

The cast and crew, all locals. The Cast Members are, Guy Harvley as Pepaw, Dona Shiflette as Memaw, Brent Smith as Dad, Alyssa Gillespie as Mom, Logan Amick as Colt, Thad Rochelle as Bubba, Law Caldwell as Tommy, Ruby Caldwell as Mary, Bridget McIntyre as Uwohali, Matt Caldwell as John Harris Jr., and Jenn McIntyre as Mary Pickens-Harris. The Crew Members are Director Dave DiGeronimo, Stage Manager Mike McFarland, Tech Manager, Kenny Slawson, and Spotlight Operator Bob Bennett.

A portion of the proceeds will go to Vets Helping Vets, Anderson, SC. Tickets can be purchased at the event or online at rpmtheatreco.simpletix.com. RPM Theatre Company is a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization with opportunities for sponsorships. Watch for RPM’s 2023 Season Reveal by following them on Facebook at RPM Theatre Company or by visiting RPMTheatreco.com

Contact:

April Cameron

864-222-2787 (office)

864-221-8445

What:

Fire Song – Anagama Kiln Exhibit Opening

Where:

Anderson Arts Center

110 Federal Street, Anderson, SC

When:

Friday, October 21 (today)

6:30-8:30 p.m.

Significance:

An anagama kiln is perhaps the most labor-intensive and complicated of all the firing methods for ceramics. It requires a dedicated “clay community” to support it. In Anderson County (SC), well-known ceramics artist, Rob Gentry, built an anagama kiln by hand at the historic Boxwood Manor, a Century Farm, in Pendleton, SC.

An anagama kiln is an ancient type of pottery kiln dating back beyond the 5^th century. It consists of a firing chamber with a firebox at one end and a flue at the other. In contrast to the electric or gas-fueled kilns commonly used today, the anagama is fueled with firewood.

The kiln must be watched around the clock for approximately 38-40 hours to ensure the temperature is at the proper level. During this time, brilliantly glowing fire flumes rise out of the flue. The burning of the wood, with its crackling and popping noises creates the fire song of the kiln.

The kiln must cool for four to five days before it can be opened and unloaded. The unloading reveals the finished pots and the results are studied by the involved potters so their knowledge base can continue to grow.

The Firesong kiln has developed a dedicated group of potters who volunteer their time to “work” the firings. They must chop and split wood, work four-hour shifts to watch the fire and add wood as necessary, glaze the ceramics, and load and stack the kiln door, and some drive more than 200 miles to be a part of this artistry. Twenty artists will have their work in this unique exhibit.

For Immediate Release

From:  Alison Darby, 864-958-5264

Date:  October 12, 2022

Subject: BAMA Ghost Walk brings strange stories to light

It’s that time again!  Get ready to hear about ghoulies and ghosties that make their home in Belton as you stroll down the historic streets during the Belton Area Museum Association’s fifth annual Halloween Ghost Walk.

Six all-new historic properties are on the tour: Belton Light and Power Co. (current News Chronicle Office), Hanks’ Jewelry Store (214 City Square), and Brown Avenue residences including the Cunningham House, the Cox House, The Maynard/Clinkscales House, and the Drake House are all scheduled stops.  Exteriors of homes and businesses will be accessible and spine-tingling stories attached to each property will be shared by costumed presenters.

Led by Belton-Honea Path High School drama teacher Alysha Sudduth, the drama students will be acting out the tales.  Several actors who will be sharing their skills and talents are the following students:  Issie Daritey, Mattie Murdock, Luke Fuller, Bailey Fountain, Sunny Chapman, Bella Dunihue, Austin Hopkins, Kadie Overby, Mckenzie Scott, Phoebe Moh, Hope Lowery, Xander Cox, Chloe Sloan, Braeson Shores, Tobias Valentine, Jake Crenshaw, Andrew Phillips, Tiarra Kuntzman, Finn Smith, Ezra Rowe.

Price per person ($10 adults, $5 children 10 and under) includes guided tours of historic properties and unusual entertainment.  Snacks can be purchased at the depot as well before departing on tours.  Purchasing advanced tickets is encouraged as slots fill up quickly.  Price rises to $15 if purchased the day of the event.

Tours begin at 6 PM and will depart from the depot every 15 minutes until 8:15 PM. Each tour will last approximately 1 1/2 hours. Limited slots are available. Tours will be family-friendly in content.

This year’s tour guides include Ella Ashley, Alyssa Williams, Sangria Smith, Tatyana Fountain, Kris Kimbrell, Christian Greer, Natalee Brown, Thomas Wright, Jared Edmonds, Jaylen Hughes, and Skylar Buchannan.

Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting or calling the museum during regular opening hours, Wednesday–Friday, 9 – 2 and Saturday 10 – noon.

Make plans to attend now. All attendees should wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a flashlight.

For more information, contact Abigail Burden at 864-338-7400 or beltonmuseum@bellsouth.net.

Come join us on Thursday, October 27, for a wonderful Halloween tradition!

Out of 500 farms in the country, Denver Downs Farm makes #5 in “10 Best Corn Mazes in U.S.”; Farm opens for its fall season September 24th

Anderson, SC (October 12, 2022) – For the sixth time, Denver Downs Farm, based in Anderson, SC, made the 10Best Readers’ Choice Best Corn Mazes in the country and was voted 5th best. Denver Downs also made the Top 10 list in 2016, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021 and was selected again this year, out of over 500 corn mazes in the U.S.

Denver Downs Farm, a family-owned and operated farm since 1869, is the only corn maze in South Carolina and just one of three mazes in the entire Southeast to make the coveted readers choice top 20 selection list.

“As a century-old family farm, it’s always an honor and thrill to see our hard work be nationally recognized,” said Catherine Garrison, Co-Owner of Denver Downs. “Our farm is not only such a special place for our own family through the four generations that have lived and worked here but also for the thousands of families we welcome every year who enjoy our farm, all the great activities we offer, and of course, our award-winning corn maze!”

Every year, Denver Downs chooses a theme for the corn maze and this year they are celebrating all things pumpkin and have designed the maze to look like a giant Jack-O-Lantern. While people do love to get lost in the 10-acre maze, Denver Downs is offering a cool tech feature where you can view a map on your phone and using GPS, see where you are and where to find clues to learn about pumpkins.

The farm is open for its fall season and continues through November 13th.

“If you want to check off a corn maze on your fall bucket list, this is the one to do,” said Catherine Garrison. “We strive each year to provide more fun and even more memorable experiences for our guests at Denver Downs.”

The farm has also been featured in the October 2019 issue of Martha Stewart Living magazine, adding to the many accolades the farm has earned including a “best pumpkin patch” top spot in the state by Reader’s Digest, Good Housekeeping and Southern Living Magazine.

In addition to 10-acre corn maze, farm animals, 35 fun barnyard activities (zipline, haybarn climb/swings, giant slide, human foosball, pig races, ropes course, and gem mining), and live music each weekend, Denver Downs will have over 90 tons of pumpkins this season and feature new activities, the double jumping pillows and Slide Mountain.

Hours of operation:

• September 24th through November 13th
• Wednesdays & Thursdays:  10am-5pm
• Fridays & Saturdays:  10am-10pm (9pm in November)
• Sundays:  10am-6pm
• Also open Monday, Oct 17, 11am-5pm (Greenville schools out)
• Mon-Tues, Nov 7-8, 11am-5pm (local schools out)
• The Farm also hosts school field trips and corporate events.

For more information go to www.denverdownsfarm.com. For interviews or photos please contact Catherine at 843-297-0140 or Catherine@denverdownsfarm.com. Media tickets are available for reviews upon request.

—

Catherine Garrison Davis

Special Events/ Owner

Denver Downs Farm

843-297-0140

For Immediate Release: October 10, 2022

For More Information: April Cameron, 864.222.2787 or aprilc@andersonarts.org

Firesong: Anagama Kiln Exhibit to Open at the Arts Center

The Anderson Arts Center is hosting an exhibit reception on Friday, October 21, 6:30-8:30 pm for an exciting new show featuring ceramic works fired in an anagama kiln. The show will run from October 21 – November 22.

An anagama kiln is perhaps the most labor-intensive and complicated of all the firing methods for ceramics. It requires a dedicated “clay community” to support it. In Anderson County (SC), well-known ceramics artist, Rob Gentry, built an anagama kiln by hand at the historic Boxwood Manor, a Century Farm, in Pendleton, SC.

An anagama kiln is an ancient type of pottery kiln dating back beyond the 5^th century. It consists of a firing chamber with a firebox at one end and a flue at the other. In contrast to the electric or gas-fueled kilns commonly used today, the anagama is fueled with firewood.

The kiln must be watched around the clock for approximately 38-40 hours to ensure the temperature is at the proper level. During this time, brilliantly glowing fire flumes rise out of the flue. The burning of the wood, with its crackling and popping noises creates the fire song of the kiln.

The kiln must cool for four to five days before it can be opened and unloaded. The unloading reveals the finished pots and the results are studied by the involved potters so their knowledge base can continue to grow.

The Firesong kiln has developed a dedicated group of potters who volunteer their time to “work” the firings. They must chop and split wood, work four-hour shifts to watch the fire and add wood as necessary, glaze the ceramics, and load and stack the kiln door, and some drive more than 200 miles to be a part of this artistry. Twenty artists will have their work in this unique exhibit.

The Firesong kiln and the clay community was featured this year on Palmetto Scene on ETV.

For more information, please call 864.222.2787, visit us at www.AndersonArts.org, or find us on Facebook or Instagram.

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April Cameron

Executive Director

864.222.2787

www.AndersonArts.org

110 Federal Street

Anderson, SC 29625

WILLIAMSTON , S.C. – The Town of Williamston will hold a groundbreaking ceremony for their long-awaited pickleball courts and a new basketball court on Friday, October 14, 2022 at 6 P.M. The public and media are invited to attend.

The 8 new lighted regulation-size pickleball courts and new basketball court are located at Mineral Spring Park in the heart of our downtown. The total cost for this project was $300,000, with funding provided by municipal hospitality tax. The courts were constructed by Talbot Tennis, located in Marietta, GA.

“As pickleball emerges into one of the fastest-growing sports in the United States, we are excited to bring these courts to our community” said Mayor Rockey Burgess. “These new courts will provide our residents the opportunity to play year-round and will be a tremendous asset to our community.”

“We are excited for the sports tourism opportunities these new pickleball courts and basketball court will bring to our town including tournaments as well as regular play,” said Chris Alexander, Mayor Pro-Tem.

Construction for this project is scheduled to be complete by Monday, October 10th, 2022.

Media Contact:

Media Contacts:

Rockey Burgess • Mayor, Town of Williamston

rockey@williamstonsc.us

864-933-7508 (direct)

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The “America’s Got Talent” cowboy to thrill guests at Denver Downs

Anderson, SC (October 5, 2022) – The Rhinestone Roper Show is coming to Denver Downs Farm this weekend to thrill guests with the knife-throwing, gun-spinning, and trick roping show, which has won World Championship titles since 2007. Dan and Yvonne Mike are expert performers in classic Wild West skills interwoven with classic cowboy humor and knowledge of the old Wild West. The pair appeared on the hit show America’s Got Talent in 2011.

“We are so excited to host the Rhinestone Roper this coming weekend during our Fall Festival at Denver Downs,” said Catherine Garrison, Co-Owner of Denver Downs. “Our guests of all ages will love his entertaining show of tricks and old school Wild West skills. We can’t wait to welcome him to the farm.”

The Rhinestone Roper will be performing throughout Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at Denver Downs Farm in Anderson. His shows are included in the Fall Festival ticket admission. Hours on Friday and Saturday are from 10 am – 10 pm and on Sunday from 10 am – 6 pm.

The Fall Festival at Denver Downs includes their brand new Slide Mountain, a 255-foot slide that guests go down on a tube, plus two new jumping pillows, gem mining, a low ropes course, nationally-recognized 10-acre corn maze, pig races, and more than 35 other barnyard activities.

Denver Downs Farm, a family-owned and operated farm since 1869, offers visitors a full day of fun from morning till the last bonfire goes out long after dark.

“We aim to help families create those long-lasting memories and traditions here at Denver Downs Farm,” said Catherine. “ I think our visitors will be talking about the Rhinestone Roper long after he hauls it back to Idaho. His show is one of the best and we are excited he can join the festivities this year.”

The fall festival at Denver Downs runs through November 13, 2022.

Hours of operation:

• September 24th through November 13th
• Wednesdays & Thursdays:  10am-5pm
• Fridays & Saturdays:  10am-10pm (9pm in November)
• Sundays:  10am-6pm
• Also open Monday, Oct 17, 11am-5pm (Greenville schools out)
• Mon-Tues, Nov 7-8, 11am-5pm (local schools out)
• The Farm also hosts school field trips and corporate events.

For more information go to www.denverdownsfarm.com. For interviews or photos please contact Catherine at 843-297-0140 or Catherine@denverdownsfarm.com. Media tickets are available for reviews upon request.

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Catherine Garrison Davis

Special Events/ Owner

Denver Downs Farm

843-297-0140