Events Calendar

Take a daily, short, guided stroll that highlights Grandfather Mountain’s rhododendron species and blooms. Included with admission. See the blooms and learn about their history, attributes and roles they play in the mountain’s ecological communities. The easygoing walks take approximately 20 minutes and are fit for guests of all ages – wheelchair and stroller accessible. Meet outside the entrance of the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery. Staff naturalists will also have a display inside Wilson Center.

Take a daily, short, guided stroll that highlights Grandfather Mountain’s rhododendron species and blooms. Included with admission. See the blooms and learn about their history, attributes and roles they play in the mountain’s ecological communities. The easygoing walks take approximately 20 minutes and are fit for guests of all ages – wheelchair and stroller accessible. Meet outside the entrance of the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery. Staff naturalists will also have a display inside Wilson Center.

This popular shutterbug weekend includes presentations from top nature photographers, hands-on field courses, a friendly contest and the rare opportunity to photograph the mountain’s spectacular scenery before and after regular business hours.

This revamped version of the popular weekend will include changes to better welcome all levels of photographers, making it more fun and engaging for all – while better connecting participants with the wonders and unique ecology of Grandfather Mountain. This year, more than ever, we hope to not only help participants learn about photography, but to also inspire them to preserve the natural world. Activities begin Friday evening and conclude Sunday midday.

June 6, 2025 @8:00 am – June 8, 2025 @3:00 pm

Join us to celebrate the birthdays of our resident animals with games, contests, crafts and surprises. The park’s wildlife habitat staff hosts a fun-filled afternoon for guests, as well as programs to celebrate the park’s furry and feathered inhabitants. Millie the Bear, the mountain’s mascot, will make special appearances throughout the day. Events begin at 11 a.m. and continue until 3:30 p.m. Join for one activity or all. Included with admission.

ForgeFest: June 20-22, 2025! Enjoy Fireforge’s 2nd Annual ForgeFest music festival and 7th Anniversary Celebration. Throughout the weekend, 9 bands will be performing across 2 stages; there will be a special food menu and there will be Anniversary beer releases. This year Swanson’s Warehouse will join in the fun by providing a VIP lounge on Saturday and Sunday, as well as after-party shows each night!

Band Schedule:
🔥 Friday, June 20:
Brother Oliver, 5-7 pm
Darby Wilcox, 7-9 pm

🔥 Saturday, June 21:
The Swamp Rabbit Bluegrass Band, 12-2 pm
Illiana Rose Cuban Jazz Band, 2-4 pm
Ross Osteen Band, 4-6 pm
YachtRando (Randomonium performing Yacht Rock!), 6-8 pm

🔥 Sunday, June 22:
Vilai Harrington and the Hamptones, 12-2 pm
Abby Bryant Duo, 2-4 pm
Wilder Things Than Us, 4-6 pm

VIP Experience:
This year we are also offering an upgraded VIP experience! This package includes:
🔥 ForgeFest Merch Bundle, including a commemorative t-shirt, concert poster, koozie & glass
🔥 Access to the VIP Lounge at Swanson’s Warehouse, which includes air conditioning & lounge seating, dedicated restrooms & complimentary refreshments, water & soda. Alcohol is available for purchase inside the lounge.
🔥 The VIP lounge will be open on Saturday from 12-6 pm and Sunday from 12-4 pm.
🔥 Access to After-ForgeFest shows at Swanson’s Warehouse:
⭐ Friday: Henry’s Pocket : ft. Jack Ryan & Mike Runyon of the Marcus King Band + Cash Machine Late Night Jam (9:15 pm)
⭐ Saturday: Curly Blue + Connor Kelly and the TimeWarp w/ Five Door Sedan (8:30 pm)
⭐ Sunday: Susto – Solo Acoustic (6:30 pm)

Reserve your spot for each day — or all three! A variety of ticket options are available on PreKindle.

An evening of indulgence awaits at The Rare Pair, where some of the world’s finest whisk(e)y meets the unparalleled richness of American and Japanese Wagyu beef. This exclusive dining and spirit experience brings together two master chefs—Orchid Paulmeier and Nico Abello—blending the elegance of French culinary artistry with the bold, vibrant flavors of the Philippines.

With only 24 seats at the table, this intimate yet laid-back fine dining experience is designed for those who appreciate exceptional food, expertly paired spirits, and great company. There are no white tablecloths, no stiff atmosphere—just top-tier flavors, a welcoming vibe, and an unforgettable journey through whisk(e)y and beef, complemented by indulgent sides, expertly paired wines, and the perfect balance of bold and refined flavors.

Begin the evening with a craft cocktail and canapés before diving into a multi-course feast. Indulge in expertly seared Wagyu, kissed by flame and served alongside flavorful, family-style sides—each course thoughtfully paired with high-end whisk(e)y neat pours courtesy of Suntory Global Spirits and exquisite wines curated by Jackson Family Wines. You’ll be among the first to taste euphoria’s Knob Creek 20th Anniversary Single Barrel and other premium selections, along with intimate on-site experiences.

Set against a backdrop of mellow tunes and warm hospitality, The Rare Pair is more than just a dinner—it’s a celebration of contrast and connection, where tradition meets innovation, and luxury meets the fire of the open flame.

Limited seating. Unforgettable flavors. A rare experience, indeed.

Beginner’s workshop lesson at 7:30 P.M., then 8-11 P.M. Contra Dance with Country Waltzing at the break and the final dance. This is a partner dance but it’s not necessary to come with a partner. We have different live bands and callers.

McCormick County Chamber of Commerce Patriotic Day Boat Parade and Fireworks Show

Time: Boat Parade 12:00 noon -3:00pm

Festivities: 12:00 noon – 9:00 pm

Fireworks: 9:00pm or after dark

Location: Plum Brach Yacht Club and Lakeside Grill

Address: 1 Yacht Club Dr, Plum Branch, SC 29845

Cost: Free

Celebrate freedom, community, and summer fun at our Patriotic Day Boat Parade and Fireworks Show! Watch as boats cruise the water in a dazzling display of creativity and spirit. Bring the whole family early to enjoy food vendors, live music, and activities. As the sun sets, gather for a breathtaking fireworks show lighting up the night sky.

This event is Open to the Public and no registration is required.

If you are interested in participating in the boat parade sign up by contacting Michael of the America’s Boating Club by email at [email protected]

For more info, follow us on Facebook @McCormick County SC Chamber of Commerce & Visitor’s Center or visit our website https://mccormickscchamber.org/

Date: Sunday, July 13, 2025
Location: Croft State Park SHELTER #1
Address: 450 Croft State Park Rd, Spartanburg, SC 29302
Time: 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM (this time frame is extended to allow everyone to complete a basket. You may finish much earlier based on your skill set).
Note: Camp Croft State Park’s Shelter #1 has tire swings, an open area for exploring and restrooms within walking distance.
Cost: $50 per participant (recommended ages 8+)
Purchase your tickets here: https://carolinabamboo.org/product/tickets-basket-weaving-workshop-bamboo-kudzu-kuboo-baskets-july-13-2025/?preview=true

Get wild and “embrace the invase” in this kudzu/bamboo= “KuBoo” Basket Weaving class! Get to know split bamboo and kudzu as weaving materials. Learn how to harvest and strip a kudzu vine. Engage with refined, hand-crafted split bamboo. Weave the Kudzu and Bamboo together to create your own personalized and unique KuBoo basket!

We will provide baubles and decorations for you to choose from to make your basket unique. Many of these embellishments will be made of bamboo, including beads and buttons made from canes and rhizomes.
We will also provide all weaving materials, including split bamboo that has been “defanged”, meaning: The edges of all split bamboo materials will be processed beforehand using the traditional Japanese habatori, mentori and senbiki methods. These techniques remove the sharp edges and splinters from split bamboo. Our refined split bamboo will make weaving with bamboo more enjoyable, manageable and easier on the hands. Watch our YouTube video for a quick visual overview of these three processes here: https://youtu.be/omEk3KkTLFk

While we weave, Aaron will be available for a Q&A session about bamboo. Bamboo is a mysterious plant to many. Ask Aaron questions to learn more about bamboo while you weave.

What to bring:
A water bottle
A “Can-do” attitude!

We will provide:
Electric industrial fans
All crafting and weaving materials and tools

Camp Croft State Park’s Shelter #1 has tire swings, an open area for exploring and restrooms within walking distance.

Additional Cost: Croft State Park is over 7000 acres and offers everything from a playground to hiking and biking trails. As a state park, there is an admission fee: $3 for adults over the age of 15, $1.50 for seniors, $1 for kids ages 6-15, and free for children age 5 and under. This admission fee is NOT included in your ticket price and must be paid separately upon entry into Croft State Park. Note: You may choose to avoid this fee by requesting a SC State Parks Passport from your local library. If you choose this option, we recommend making a request for this item a few weeks in advance before the class, due to possible high demand and low availability.

Beginner’s workshop lesson at 7:30 P.M., then 8-11 P.M. Contra Dance with Country Waltzing at the break and the final dance. This is a partner dance but it’s not necessary to come with a partner. We have different live bands and callers.

Date: Saturday, August 9, 2025
Location: Croft State Park SHELTER #3
Address: 450 Croft State Park Rd, Spartanburg, SC 29302
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM (this time frame is extended to allow everyone to complete a basket. You may finish much earlier based on your skill set).
Note: Camp Croft State Park’s Shelter #3 has restrooms within walking distance and a hilltop view of the forest overlooking Lake Craig.
Cost: $50 per participant (recommended ages 8+)
Purchase your tickets here: https://carolinabamboo.org/product/kuboo-basket-weaving-saturday-august-9-2025/
Get wild and “embrace the invase” in this kudzu/bamboo= “KuBoo” Basket Weaving class! Get to know split bamboo and kudzu as weaving materials. Learn how to harvest and strip a kudzu vine. Engage with refined, hand-crafted split bamboo. Weave the Kudzu and Bamboo together to create your own personalized and unique KuBoo basket!

We will provide baubles and decorations for you to choose from to make your basket unique. Many of these embellishments will be made of bamboo, including beads and buttons made from canes and rhizomes.
We will also provide all weaving materials, including split bamboo that has been “defanged”, meaning: The edges of all split bamboo materials will be processed beforehand using the traditional Japanese habatori, mentori and senbiki methods. These techniques remove the sharp edges and splinters from split bamboo. Our refined split bamboo will make weaving with bamboo more enjoyable, manageable and easier on the hands. Watch our YouTube video for a quick visual overview of these three processes here: https://youtu.be/omEk3KkTLFk

While we weave, Aaron will be available for a Q&A session about bamboo. Bamboo is a mysterious plant to many. Ask Aaron questions to learn more about bamboo while you weave.

What to bring:
A water bottle
A “Can-do” attitude!

We will provide:
Electric industrial fans
All crafting and weaving materials and tools

Camp Croft State Park’s Shelter #3 has restrooms within walking distance and a hilltop view of the forest overlooking Lake Craig.

Additional Cost: Croft State Park is over 7000 acres and offers everything from a playground to hiking and biking trails. As a state park, there is an admission fee: $3 for adults over the age of 15, $1.50 for seniors, $1 for kids ages 6-15, and free for children age 5 and under. This admission fee is NOT included in your ticket price and must be paid separately upon entry into Croft State Park. Note: You may choose to avoid this fee by requesting a SC State Parks Passport from your local library. If you choose this option, we recommend making a request for this item a few weeks in advance before the class, due to possible high demand and low availability.

Date: Saturday August 23, 2025
Location: Croft State Park SHELTER #1
Address: 450 Croft State Park Rd, Spartanburg, SC 29302
Time: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM (this time frame is extended to allow everyone to complete a basket. You may finish much earlier based on your skill set).
Cost: $50 per participant (recommended ages 8+)
Note: Camp Croft State Park’s Shelter #1 has tire swings, an open area for exploring and restrooms within walking distance.
Purchase your tickets here: https://carolinabamboo.org/product/kuboo-basket-weaving-august-23-2025/
Get wild and “embrace the invase” in this kudzu/bamboo= “KuBoo” Basket Weaving class! Get to know split bamboo and kudzu as weaving materials. Learn how to harvest and strip a kudzu vine. Engage with refined, hand-crafted split bamboo. Weave the Kudzu and Bamboo together to create your own personalized and unique KuBoo basket!

We will provide baubles and decorations for you to choose from to make your basket unique. Many of these embellishments will be made of bamboo, including beads and buttons made from canes and rhizomes.
We will also provide all weaving materials, including split bamboo that has been “defanged”, meaning: The edges of all split bamboo materials will be processed beforehand using the traditional Japanese habatori, mentori and senbiki methods. These techniques remove the sharp edges and splinters from split bamboo. Our refined split bamboo will make weaving with bamboo more enjoyable, manageable and easier on the hands. Watch our YouTube video for a quick visual overview of these three processes here: https://youtu.be/omEk3KkTLFk

While we weave, Aaron will be available for a Q&A session about bamboo. Bamboo is a mysterious plant to many. Ask Aaron questions to learn more about bamboo while you weave.

What to bring:
A water bottle
A “Can-do” attitude!

We will provide:
All crafting and weaving materials and tools

Camp Croft State Park’s Shelter #1 has tire swings, an open area for exploring and restrooms within walking distance.

Additional Cost: Croft State Park is over 7000 acres and offers everything from a playground to hiking and biking trails. As a state park, there is an admission fee: $3 for adults over the age of 15, $1.50 for seniors, $1 for kids ages 6-15, and free for children age 5 and under. This admission fee is NOT included in your ticket price and must be paid separately upon entry into Croft State Park. Note: You may choose to avoid this fee by requesting a SC State Parks Passport from your local library. If you choose this option, we recommend making a request for this item a few weeks in advance before the class, due to possible high demand and low availability.

Beginner’s workshop lesson at 7:30 P.M., then 8-11 P.M. Contra Dance with Country Waltzing at the break and the final dance. This is a partner dance but it’s not necessary to come with a partner. We have different live bands and callers.