What is it that really sets a festival or event apart from the rest? For foodies, it might be really good food like what you’d find at a cook-off or competition. For some, perhaps it’s the quality of music or entertainment, such as when a big name is featured at the event. Well, for those who like a lot of fun things to do at a festival, especially when you have kids you’re taking with you who get bored at the drop of a hat, we’ve got one of the most fun fall festivals in South Carolina that’s perfect for families.
Denver Downs Farm is located in the upstate city of Anderson. It was founded in 1869 by William Dunklin Garrison, who had been a Captain in the Confederacy during the War Between the States. He and his wife, Ester Annie "Essie" Reid raised their family while working the cotton farm, which expanded to include dairy under his son when he returned from World War II.
The farm is still owned and operated by the Garrison family, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and once again transitioned in 1994 to focus on crops, beef cattle, and agri-tourism and entertainment, hosting seasonal events like a corn maze and farm festivals. The Denver Downs Farm Festival runs throughout the autumn season Thursdays through Sundays and has been recognized as the 5th best corn maze in the country by the 10Best Readers' Choice awards.
The fall festival at this charming, historic farm is bursting with fun and offers a wide variety of family-friendly activities, including a cow train ...
Also included with fall festival admission are live music performances by talented artists on Friday and Saturday evenings and Saturday and Sunday afternoons!
For additional details including hours, a complete list of attractions, and the full live music lineup for this fall season, visit the Denver Downs Farm website. Consider the underrated Sadlers Creek State Park in Anderson for camping accommodations if you want to stay overnight after your day at the farm. No RV? Rent one from RV Share!
It's time for all things fall, including a pumpkin patch visit to hunt for that perfect pumpkin! When it comes to the best pumpkin patches in South Carolina, some are basic while others have bells and whistles to go along with the pumpkin search. And we've got the scoop to help you decide where to go to find your pumpkin for this year's season of fall in South Carolina.
Starting Friday, September 27 running through Sunday, November 10, Denver Downs in Anderson offers an incredible Fall Festival event that includes a pumpkin patch! You're going to want to plan time to take advantage of the over 35 attractions that will provide hours of fun for the whole family. The pumpkin patch was named best pumpkin patch in South Carolina in the Southern Living list of the Best Pumpkin Patches in the southern states.
In West Union, visit the pumpkin patch at Little Cane Creek Farm starting Saturday, September 28. You'll want to allow time to also complete the 5-acre corn maze and eat at the Cow Cafe while there!
On Saturday, October 19 from 8 a.m. until 12 p.m. (or until all pumpkins are gone), around 1,000 pumpkins will be given away at The Great Pumpkin Giveaway in Fountain Inn. The free event is presented by Lilies on Main and Crazy Brent's for the third year as a gesture of appreciation to the community.
The largest pumpkin farm in South Carolina is located in Chester near Rock Hill. There are two pumpkin patch options to pick-your-own pumpkin from at Cotton Hills Farm, located in the small town of Chester, South Carolina, including a large, 15-acre sized patch as well as potentially a smaller pumpkin patch made available due to popular demand. Check the website for updates on this season's dates the patches will be open. The farm also offers a 40-minute fall hayride experience.
5. In Lexington, Clinton Sease Farm has a pumpkin patch open from Friday, September 20 through Sunday, November 3. Other fun activities at the farm include corn mazes, a playground and obstacle course, food, and more.
Just over an hour east of Columbia near Sumter, Dorr Farms, a small family farm in the little town of Gable, offers Fall Farm Days on Saturdays from September 28 through October 26. In addition to picking out a pumpkin, you can enjoy pony rides (for an additional fee), a petting zoo, food trucks, and more!
McLeod Farms is located about 40 minutes northwest of Florence and will be announcing the current season's U-pick dates on the website soon. A corn maze will also be available.
In the other direction, 40 minutes northeast of Florence at the North Carolina border in Hamer, Pittman's Pumpkin Patch is a 200-year-old family farm. Connect with Pittman's Pumpkin Patch on Facebook for updates on the current fall season dates when you can get some beautiful mums while picking out your homegrown pumpkin.
Thompson Farm and Nursery at Brickyard Plantation in Conway, located on the Waccamaw River 20 miles from Myrtle Beach, not only has a pumpkin patch, it's a destination. There's so much to do at this stunning 156-acre farm, especially in the fall season from Saturday, September 23 through Sunday, October 29, including duck races, bull roping, barnyard bubbles, and so much more. You can even stay right on the farm in your own tent or a glamping tent.
In Mount Pleasant, the Boone Hall Pumpkin Patch near Charleston has become one of the largest fall festivals in South Carolina. It runs this year from Friday, September 27 through Sunday, October 27 and is full of fun activities including a comedy circus, a live, interactive honey bee exhibit, a family-friendly Halloween tractor tour, and more in addition to the pumpkin patch.
Last, but certainly not least, you can experience The Great Pumpkin Patch at Holiday Farms in Ridgeland near Hilton Head Island from Friday, October 4 through Thursday, October 31. Check the Facebook page for more information on the current season's offerings at this final spot rounding out our list of the best pumpkin patches in South Carolina.
Pick out your ideal pumpkin patch in South Carolina, lace up some quality, athletic sneakers, and enjoy a day of fun! Each of these pumpkin patches has its own personality, and you really can't go wrong no matter which you choose. And who says you can only choose one?!
Have you ever been to any of these pumpkin patches before?
The 4th of July is such a fun and festive holiday celebrating the birth of our country, and we certainly know how to celebrate in South Carolina. In fact, we come in at #3 behind just Missouri and Kansas for the amount of money spent as a state on fireworks! No matter where you are in South Carolina, you probably can hear those celebrations on this holiday once darkness falls. Unfortunately, those celebrations result in injuries all too often. To avoid taking that risk, plan to watch a show near you instead. When searching for "where to watch fireworks near me", you're likely to come up with more than one option especially if you live near one of our larger cities. We've put together a list of seven of some of the best 4th of July fireworks shows throughout the state, one which you can even watch virtually if you'd rather keep it more low-key!
It would be difficult to choose just one out of so many great options of where to watch fireworks near me if I had flexibility on location. No matter where you celebrate the 4th of July in South Carolina, please just stay safe and healthy!
