Summer Festivals in South Carolina

Ships, hot air balloons, and a regional dance craze set South Carolina apart from the crowd when it comes to summer festivals. From early May through the end of August, the state is chock full of distinctive festivals, that celebrate the state's heritage and modern-day offerings alike.

Four stages of non-stop musical entertainment liven up Spartansburg, SC during the Spring Fling at Barnet Park May 4 - 5, 2007. Paintings, photography, woodcarving, clothing, jewelry, and more are featured at artisans' and artists' booths. If your interests are more dare devil than creative, how does an extreme sports zone, with trampoline acrobatics, skateboarders, and BMX sound? The Spring Fling also features an antique car show, a bike race, and a Kidz Zone, plus plenty of fair foods. Find out all of the information you need to know about the Spartansburg Spring Fling at http://www.cityofspartanburg.org/Community_Interest/Spartanburg_Events/springfling/index.htm

If you like boats, you won't be a bit disappointed at Tall Ships Charleston 2007. From May 17^th through the 20^th, many of the worlds Tall Ships will float into the harbor, and the ships' captains will be honored the night of the 17^th at the Governor's Ball. Throughout the festival, the ships will be open for tours, where visitors will tour the ships and meet the crew. While boarding passes are required, the Maritime Festival will take place around Wharfside Street during the same dates, and will be free to festival-goers. The on-land festival features pirate camps, a children's village, art, music, food and more. The tall ships will be visible on the water from many points on shore as well. Get additional information at http://www.charlestonmaritimefestival.com/

Once you take to the sea, take to the air with Freedom Weekend Aloft. This hot-air balloon festival takes place in Heritage Park in Simpsonville, SC, May 25 - 28, 2007. Hot-air balloon owners from across the United States come to the festival to vie for assorted prizes, while those people who prefer to stay grounded can enjoy live music, food, fireworks, a car show, carnival rides, and contests in everything from eating to the limbo. This quality family festival draws upwards of one hundred and fifty thousand yearly participants and spectators. Find out why at http://www.freedomweekend.org/

Flower lovers should be more than content at the South Carolina Festival of Flowers, in Greenwood, SC, June 22 - 24. The George W. Park Seed Company's Trial Gardens puts on display over fifteen hundred different varieties of plants, from flower to vegetable, on Flower Day, the only day the gardens are open to the general public. You can also see some of the state's best artisans and artists at the Festival Art Show and Craftsmen's Fair. Get all of the information at http://www.scfestivalofflowers.org/

You may have seen it in film. Now experience in person. Though it may not be the dance that bears the city's name, The Shag also originated along the beaches near Charleston, S.C. This dance heritage is celebrated each year at the Charleston Beach Music and Shag Festival in Charleston. Check it out August 23 - 26, 2007 at the Charleston Maritime Center. Dance lessons, parties, radio station countdowns, and performances by popular are musicians make this festival a one-of-a-kind event to remember.

If you are in Charleston this summer, and if you haven't been to Charleston during the summer you are really missing out, try to catch any one of these festivals for a truly uncommon experience.