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Explore family friendly events, theatres, galleries, concerts, nightlife, things to do, and more in the Greenville, SC and Upstate areas.

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Saturday, October 14, 2023
TD Saturday Market
Oct 14 @ 8:00 am – 12:00 pm
TD Saturday Market

On Saturday mornings from the beginning of May until the end of October, two blocks of downtown Greenville’s Main Street are transformed into a bustling farmers’ market. The market features over 75 vendors selling the season’s freshest produce and the area’s most original and high quality crafts.  Each week thousands of people flock to the TD Saturday Market for locally-sourced products where all food must be grown or produced within 100 miles of Greenville and crafters are highly-encouraged to use locally-sourced supplies.

There is something undeniably special about Greenville’s TD Saturday Market. We invite you to join us Saturday mornings to experience it for yourself!

Biltmore Estate: Ciao! From Italy Sculptural Postcard Display
Oct 14 @ 8:30 am
Biltmore Estate

Included with admission

Embark on a scenic journey across George Vanderbilt’s Italy with a large-scale outdoor display that combines brilliant botanical designs with authentic messages written by Vanderbilt himself.

Beautifully handcrafted of natural elements, each sculptural postcard depicts a location or landmark Vanderbilt visited more than a century ago. This captivating complement to Biltmore’s Italian Renaissance Alive exhibition reveals Vanderbilt’s passions for travel, culture, architecture, and art as well as his personal experience of such renowned Italian cities as Milan, Florence, Venice, Pisa, and Vatican City.

Adding to the charm and visual appeal of Ciao! From Italy—sure to be a hit among kids of all ages—is the G-scale model train that travels in and out of each postcard in this enlightening display!

Bio-Way Farm roadside produce stand
Oct 14 @ 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Bio-Way Farm
Tucked away in beautiful Ware Shoals, a certified organic farm dedicated to sustainability is making waves in the agriculture community.
Head farmer Chris Sermons is a naturalist who has studied native species, farming, permaculture and conservation for over 20 years. Chris is passionate about preserving and restoring native habitat and believes this balance is an integral part of the farms health!
You can find Bio-Way produce and numerous farmers markets, farm-to-table restaurants, and at their roadside produce stand!
Monarchs and Milkweed: A Story of Survival
Oct 14 @ 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
NC Arboretum

Join us on a journey into the world of butterflies and plants, and see the complex relationship between monarchs and milkweed. “Monarchs and Milkweed” explores how very survival of these majestic creatures has been shaped over time by one another, traveling through the seasons of a calendar year and revealing how both insect and plant grow and interact, culminating in a massive migration that crosses a continent.

South Carolina State Museum Accessibility Mornings
Oct 14 @ 9:00 am – 11:00 am
South Carolina State Museum

This program provides free access for families of children, teenagers, and young adults who would benefit from a sensory-friendly experience and quieter setting at the museum.

Guests who are neurodiverse, autistic, or have other disabilities can experience the museum’s exhibitions at their own pace and enjoy other special activities.

General Admission to Accessibility Morning is Free for participants.

Accessibility Morning Schedule:

  • 9 – 11 a.m. | Sensory Room Available
  • 9 – 10 a.m. | Program Partners Present
  • 9:30 – 9:45 a.m. | Character Meet-and-Greet with The Cat in the Hat
  • 9:45 a.m. | Select Sensory Show – Earth, Moon and Sun planetarium experience *

An ASL Interpreter will be available during the 9:30 a.m. story time and the 9:45 a.m. sensory show. ASL interpretation is provided by certified interpreters through the SC School for the Deaf and Blind.

*Sensory Friendly Shows will alternate monthly between planetarium and 4D theater experiences. Shows feature lowered volume, however 4d experiences still include enhanced effects, including bursts of air, rumbling seats, leg ticklers, bubbles and snow, lighting effects, and squirts of water. Accessibility Morning shows are free but space is limited.

The Open Book Project Used Book Sale
Oct 14 @ 9:00 am – 2:00 pm
First United Methodist Church

The Open Book Project will hold its Fall Used Book Sale beginning Thursday, October 12, 6-9 pm for Sponsors and Teachers with public invited on Friday, October 13, 9-7 pm and Saturday, October 14, 8-2 pm. Proceeds will be used toward literacy projects in the Upstate of South Carolina.

5th Annual Juried Exhibition
Oct 14 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Artists Collective | Spartanburg

This is the fifth regional, juried exhibition presented by the Collective: An annual event to showcase the amazing diversity of work within this southern region. We honor artists from Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, South Carolina, and Georgia.

 

The competition was strong, 196 artists entered 496 artworks. From which the juror could choose 70 to be in the exhibition.

 

The exhibition will run from September 13th to October 28th in the Solomon Gallery. The winners will be announced on September 23rd, 2023.

 

Please visit our Exhibitions Portal to learn more and see the artworks that were selected this year.

The artwork is coming in for this year’s Juried Exhibition. It is going to be a beautiful show. We are always so thrilled to meet the artists when they bring in their work. The exhibition is free to the public and we invite everyone to visit this lovely show.

All-Day Fall Color Ramble
Oct 14 @ 10:00 am – 3:00 pm
Grandfather Mountain
This culminating ramble features a full day of fall color activities, including naturalist talks and additional rambles, allowing guests the opportunity to explore and admire the wonders of Grandfather Mountain.
Fall color at Grandfather Mountain

From September 30 through October 8, guests enjoy short, guided nature walks that highlight Grandfather Mountain’s fall colors. The Fall Color Rambles take place daily, weather permitting, and are included in your admission ticket. The short excursions begin at 1 p.m. and typically last for 30 minutes. As the starting locations will vary day to day based on the foliage, visitors should inquire at the park’s Entrance Gate or the Wilson Center for Nature Discovery upon arrival.

Grandfather Mountain is home to myriad species of plants and hardwood trees that range from pumpkin-colored beech trees to blood-red sourwoods and rusty red oaks. During the daily rambles, guests are able to learn all about the mountain’s unique biodiversity and the science behind the changing of the leaves.

Participants can become familiar with tree identification, as the mountain’s talented and knowledgeable educators and interpretive park guides venture out with guests to some of the most colorful destinations on the mountain.

Anderson County Museum Gallery Open
Oct 14 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Anderson County Museum

Holidays The Museum is closed.

art Exhibit Because I Can by Judy Martin
Oct 14 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Artists Collective | Spartanburg
Because I Can

Judy Martin

Upstate glass artist Judy Martin wants to use her art to help people look at things differently – that glass can be used in different ways and that art is about freedom. Her works of kiln fired glass will be on exhibit Oct. 3 through 28 in her show “Because I Can” in Gallery III at the Artists Collective | Spartanburg.

 

An artist reception will be held Thursday, Oct. 19, as part of ArtWalk Spartanburg.

art Exhibit: Dancing Through Life
Oct 14 @ 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Artists Collective | Spartanburg
Dancing Through Life

Beth Bullman Regula

As a child, Beth Regula always wanted to dance, as far back as she can remember, but lessons were not in the cards. So, the Spartanburg artist “learned to dance using paint and brushes. The results will be on display in her upcoming exhibition, “Dancing Through Life,” Oct. 3 through 28 in Gallery II of the Artists Collective | Spartanburg.

 

Dance will be included on Thursday, Oct. 19, during ArtWalk Spartanburg, when Kaleo Wheeler will share traditional Hawaiian Sacred Hula. An artist talk at 6:30 p.m. also will be part of the event.

Artists’ Market
Oct 14 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Pharmacy Coffee

Shop local art and gifts while you sip your morning latte, at Pharmacy Coffee’s monthly Artists’ Pop-Up Market in the Montgomery Building, (187 North Church St,) held each second Saturday of the month from 10am-2pm. Vendors include textile artists, sweets and baked goods, candles and soap, jewelry, crochet, plants, seasonal home decor, paintings and prints, clothing, and more.

Fall Harvest Days – Antique Tractor Pull
Oct 14 @ 10:00 am
WNC Ag Center
Antique models through 1964
Stock and Top Cut Tire Classes
Hook Fee: $10 or 3 for $25
Spectators – Included in Gate Ticket admission of $8.00 adults / Kids 12 and Under FREE with paid Adult.
10:00 AM – Until Pull Concludes at 12,000 lbs.
Farm Tractor Pull Rules
1. Antique models through 1964 (any questionable age tractor or protest will be decided by a 3-man committee named at each tractor pull).
2. Gasoline, diesel, and Factory LP gas are approved fuels.
3. Any questionable age of tractor must have serial number intact and not tampered with.
4. Tractors must weigh within limits of each weight class. One (1) entry per class.
5. Factory high R.P.M. only- 10% override allowed. Tractors subject to R.P.M. check at any time.
6. Tractors must retain stock engine and stock appearance where possible.
7. Tractors are allowed 14″ tire width in Classes 1 through 4; 16″ tire width in Classes 5 through 11; 18″ tire width in Class 12; 23″ tire width in Classes 13 and 14.
8. Tractor Tires
9. Add on weights are allowed. No weights to extend past 16″ from face of front tires. NO duals on rear. Rear weight bracket shall not extend past rear tires and weights shall not extend 12″ past rear of tires. Minimum of 10″ width opening between rear weights required for access to clevis.
10. All tractors must start with a tight chain, start off easy, do not jerk sled, no shifting of TAs. If your tractor has a factory TA, you are permitted to shift ONE time.
11. Drivers must remain seated during pull with at least one hand on steering wheel — unless tractor has hand brakes. NO bouncing in seat during pull, Track Officials will disqualify puller.
12. Persons under 16 years of age must have track official and parent or guardian signature and approval before pulling.
13. Each puller has two (2) attempts to pass the 20′ mark – pull is official after 20′ mark is passed.
14. Track official may disqualify any tractor driver for unsportsmanlike conduct, intoxication, or failing to stop when red flagged.
15. No one allowed on track except pullers and officials.
16. Pull is over when forward motion of sled is stopped or when red flag is dropped.
17. Front wheels may not leave the ground more than 18″ during pull. This will be flagman’s discretion.
18. 20″ maximum drawbar height – 18″ minimum drawbar length from center of rear axle to center of drawbar hole. 3″ minimum horizontal free clevis shall be on tractor.
19. Drawbar must be stationary with no more than one (1) inch movement vertically one (1) inch movement horizontally.
20. No differential or driveline alterations.
21. A protest must be filed within weight class before next class starts.
22. Flagman’s decision is final.
23. No hotrod tractors or pickup trucks allowed to pull. No TURBO tractors.
24. In a pull off situation, tractors must return to the staging area and only there may move weights on the tractor. Adding or removing weights will not be permitted.
25. WHEELIE BARS ARE MANDATORY and must meet new standards if questioned. No wheels on bars.
26. All weights must be securely attached to the tractor. Any ballast lost while hooked to the sled will be cause for the pull to stop (stop signal given by flagman) where the item is lost.
27. Maximum sled speed is 4.0 MPH. Puller is allowed one blow of horn. Puller will be disqualified if horn blows a second time.
28. If the tractor or sled touches the white line, pull stops (stop signal given by flagman) and is measured. If puller does not stop when signaled, puller is disqualified.
29. Person pulling tractor must be able to stage, backup and hook to sled, and maneuver tractor in a safe manner with no physical assistance.
Guided Trail Walk
Oct 14 @ 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
NC Arboretum

Hit the trails and learn more about The North Carolina Arboretum’s botanically diverse forest with a guided trail walk! April through October, this free hiking program is led by trained volunteer guides who take small groups of participants along woodland trails and through a variety of forest types. Depending on the season and each guide’s area of expertise, topics of discussion may include wildflowers, plant and tree identification, natural history and more.

Guided trail walks are limited to 15 people, including the guide, and are not recommended for guests under 16 years of age. Groups depart from the Baker Visitor Center Lobby on Tuesdays at 1 p.m. and Saturdays at 10 a.m. and 1 p.m..

Walks last 1.5 – 2.5 hours, are approximately one to two miles in length. As this program is held rain or shine, all participants should dress appropriately for the weather.

There is no pre-registration; walks are first-come first served and sign up sheets are located in the Baker Visitors Center.

Walks are FREE; however, donations to The North Carolina Arboretum Society are appreciated. Regular parking fees apply. Arboretum Society Members always park free.

Know Before You Go

  • Guided Trail Walks are not recommended for guests under 16 years of age.
  • Guided Trail Walks are rain or shine and all participants should be dressed comfortably and for the weather.
  • Hikes cover 1-2 miles and last 1.5-2 hours.
  • Well-behaved leashed pets are welcome to accompany their owners. In the rare case that a pet is disruptive or negatively impacts the experience, the pet and its owner may be asked to excuse themselves from the guided walk.
  • COVID-19 Safety: In order to hear the guide and fully participate in the trail walk, participants will be in close proximity to one another for extended periods of time. While face coverings are not required, participants should use their best judgement to keep themselves and others safe while enjoying the trails. Individuals who are experiencing flu-like symptoms or suspect they may have been exposed to COVID-19 should not participate.
  • At this time, no more than 6 spaces may be filled by a single family/group through pre-registration for any one Guided Trail Walk. If additional spaces are available on the day of the Walk, additional members of the family/group may participate. We apologize for any inconvenience and look forward to welcoming larger groups in the future.
Pumpkin Patch
Oct 14 @ 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
Thompson Family Farms

Thompson Family Farms has expanded to include pumpkins this fall season, in addition to a sunflower maze and other fall crops. With over 3 acres of planted pumpkins, visitors are able to pick their own variety out of the field or select from our assortment of pre-picked pumpkins, while taking in the gorgeous fall mountain views. The farm is open to the public 10am-7pm Thursday, Friday, and Saturday beginning September 21 and throughout the entire month of October.

Watch the Eclipse at the Library
Oct 14 @ 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
Headquarters Library

Come to the library and watch the eclipse safely from a television screen!

Art Exhibition: Parting Lines
Oct 14 @ 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Greenville Center for Creative Arts

 

In Parting Lines, artists TeaYoun Kim-Kassor, Mayuko Ono Gray, and Sabre Esler explore common threads of human existence, memory, and identity through varying representations of lines, whether explicit or implied. Featuring over 30 intricate drawings, paintings, and silk works, Parting Lines invites us to consider the power of diverse perspectives converging on a shared exploration of what it means to be human.

TeaYoun Kim-Kassor’s installation series, “Modulation,” delves into the concept of identity and questions the interplay between personal history and migration. Her work speaks to the universal human experience of grappling with questions like “Who am I?” and “Where am I?” as we navigate life’s complexities. Sabre Esler’s art takes a markedly scientific approach, probing the invisible constructs of thoughts. Esler uses color theory to represent abstract ideas. Her “what if” hypotheses serve as a bridge between art and science, resonating with the exhibition’s theme of exploring uncharted territories of the human condition. Mayuko Ono Gray’s graphite drawings offer a unique blend of cultural influences, seamlessly merging traditional Japanese calligraphy with Western drawing practices. Ono Gray’s works capture everyday life experiences and incorporate matching Japanese proverbs, intricately woven into a single, continuous line of hiragana and kanji characters. The calligraphic line symbolizes the journey of life, from birth to death, echoing the overarching theme of the exhibition.

Top Image: Mayuko Ono Gray – 目に入れても痛くない_Apple in my eyes (Mark)
Bottom Images (Left to Right): TeaYoun Kim-Kassor – Modulation /  Sabre Esler – Anomaly
Mayuko Ono Gray
Mayuko Ono Gray is an artist based in Houston, TX whose primary medium is graphite drawing. Born in Gifu, Japan, she was trained in traditional Japanese calligraphy in her youth and later studied classical Western drawing. Ono Gray moved to the United States following high school and went on to receive an MFA in painting from the University of Houston in 2007. Ono Gray is the former Gallery Director and adjunct faculty at College of the Mainland, Texas City, TX. Gray served as an Instructor at the Glassell School of Art in Houston, TX in 2022. Her works are represented by Hooks-Epstein galleries in Houston, TX and Galeria 910 in Oaxaca, Mexico.

TeaYoun Kim-Kassor
TeaYoun Kim-Kassor is originally from South Korea, where she received her B.F.A. in Fine Arts at Sungshin Women’s University in Seoul.  She continued her research in Art Education as the Japanese equivalent of a Fulbright Scholar at Saitama University in Japan, where she earned a Master of Art Education (MAAE).  In America, Kim-Kassor continued her exploration of arts in the Terminal Degree in visual arts, M.F.A. program at the University of Tennessee, focusing on Spatial Practice.  Currently, she is a Professor and Department Chair of the Foundation Program at Otis College of Art and Design, Los Angeles, CA, U.S.

Sabre Esler
Sabre Esler (b. Cleveland, OH) lives and works in Atlanta Georgia. She received her MFA from SCAD, Atlanta and she received her BFA from Miami University, Oxford OH where she studied graphic design, illustration and biology. She is currently a studio artist at Atlanta Contemporary. Esler has taught  at Georgia State University, Perimeter College and SCAD. She is represented by Jennifer Balcos Gallery, Atlanta GA.

Bikes + Beers
Oct 14 @ 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Southernside Brewing Co. 25

The usual! meet at southernside near the bike racks at 11am, start riding at 11:15.
Ride to swamp rabbit brewery in travelers rest for refreshments.. after that coast back to southernside for more fun, food and socializing.

If there are any issues please contact the message board or send a msg through MeetUp!

See ya’ll there!

Faces + Places
Oct 14 @ 11:00 am – 3:00 pm
Greenville Center for Creative Arts

“Faces and Places” features oil paintings of studio artists Diarmuid Kelly and Steve Courchaine. Their distinct styles create a dynamic interplay between landscapes and portraits. From serene landscapes to tranquility within a portrait, Kelly & Courchaine capture the human spirit and the spaces it inhabits.

DIARMUID KELLY

studio 14

Having lived in the West and the South East of Ireland for almost 38 years , Diarmuid and his family decided to move to the USA in 2007. Several years prior to this move, Kelly had received national recognition as an amateur artist for his bovine (cattle) and equine (horses) paintings. This was achieved through the Irish Shows Association. Thousands of Irish artists would submit their work through Juried shows around the country, the winners qualifying for the finals each year. In 2001, Kelly eventually went on to win the finals and was awarded the Best in Show award by the then Minister for Arts and Education, Dr. Michael D Higgins (current President of Ireland). This was the break that Kelly was looking for to springboard his career as a professional artist. Kelly holds an Honors Diploma in Industrial Design (Product) from RTC (Carlow Regional Technical College) in Ireland. Feeling somewhat disheartened by the heavy impact CAD (Computer-aided drafting) was having on design in the late 80’s, Diarmuid decided to focus on a more painterly approach to his work. Upon arriving in South Carolina in 2007 he quickly became involved in the art scene in the Spartanburg/Greenville area with his first solo show at the Spartanburg Art Museum. His show “Stepping Stones” was extremely well received resulting in 16 sales from the 25 pieces on display. Following the success of this exhibit, he was invited to teach at the art school at the Spartanburg Art Museum. He now also teaches at several locations in the Carolinas and has several private groups he teaches on a weekly basis.

Kelly has been featured in the Spartanburg publication Artists Among Us, was the cover artist on the online Greenville Magazine Fete. He has also been the Art Administrator for the Return to the Green Irish Festival for several years. This exposure as an artist has resulted in multiple invitations to jury shows in the Carolinas. Art on the Trail in Travelers Rest, Union County, Belton, Columbia and other locations amongst them. Kelly draws much of the inspiration for his paintings from his farming background in Ireland, his Irish heritage, music, craftsmen and their methods. In recent years inspiration from historic Charleston and Savannah is evident in his paintings. For many years he has studied the works and techniques of masters Vermeer, Caravaggio, and Constable and in recent years American artist and illustrator Norman Rockwell. Kelly’s style of painting has often been described as contemporary realism with a classical flare.

Fall for Greenville
Oct 14 @ 11:00 am – 9:00 pm
Downtown Greenville

Indulge in a Weekend Full of Flavor

Discover a world of tempting tastes, tunes, and taps, as mouthwatering aromas carry you along Greenville’s Main Street.