Ten Things I Plan to do Before January 1st

As an admitted lover of all things South Carolina and one who has been deprived of all things South Carolina for almost a year now, I’ve begun thinking about the things I want to do when I get home. I’ve created a bucket list of sorts – no, I’m not planning to die anytime soon, just couldn’t think of anything else to call it.

So here in no particular order (well, number 1 is pretty dang important) are the top ten things I want to do before the end of the year:


10. The Georgetown Wooden Boat Show (Saturday October 16, 2010)

I don’t know if I’ve mentioned it before but I am a boat nut. I love all things nautical, even pursued a degree in marine science because of this addiction. I don’t need a special reason to go to Georgetown but throw in a boat show and you might consider getting out of the fast lane if you’re in front of me on the way to the Low Country.

What will you see? Boats! Boatbuilding! What more could you ask for? Yeah, I realize that if you weren’t born with Docksiders on that this may not be your cup of tea but check it out anyway. They traditionally have family boat building, a National Boatbuilding Challenge (two man teams try to build a boat the fastest and then race it on the Sampit, the whole thing lasts less than 4 hours to give you some idea of just how fast these guys move). There is music, food, art, plays and all kinds of kid’s activities. There are wooden vessels of every type from surf boards to antique speed boats to tall ships. It’s been a while since I’ve been but I will not miss it this year. Cost – mostly free until the boat bug bites.


9. Family Camping (date to be determined, but not October 16th)

For the last 15 or so years, a group of friends has gotten together to go camping in the mountains, sometimes in North Carolina, sometimes in South Carolina. Other than deciding what camp ground to go to and the menu, we don’t make many plans for the weekend. The cell phones, IPods and TV are exchanged for some conversation, singing and quiet contemplation. We’ve hiked trails, fished, roasted marshmallows and mountain biked. The group varies from year to year, loosely organized around a Sunday School Class though membership has never been a requirement. A great friend is the impetus behind the trip; he has led it every year save one when his wife had to have an appendectomy. Cost –minimal, I spent $200 the year I bought a new tent but $70-80 a family usually covers the food and campground fees, the reward is priceless.

Here's a link to help get you started - South Carolina State Parks


8. Summerfest – York, South Carolina (August 27-28, 2010)

Okay, I’ll admit it, York is a Podunk little town but it happens to be my wife’s birthplace and where we got married so I’m a bit partial to the place. The festival began in the 1984 after the demise of two other local festivals. Every year, 50,000 people from all over the NC/SC line and beyond converge on York for a little slice of what life used to be like. Many of the local churches and civic organizations use Summerfest as a fund raiser – it is small town Americana at its best. There’s a craft show on Main Street, a car show, live music, runs, rides, an antique sale and tons of other stuff. Frankly, there is something for everyone. My three boys can stay entertained the whole day for about $5 each – in fact, several years they’ve actually made money selling rubber band guns with their grandfather. A couple of “fair” warnings; we’re talking about York SC in August, it is hot and you will need the Sun Screen. Cost – the $5 cost of a vendor lunch to “the sky’s the limit” for antiques (BTW, if you're at the antique sale and  talk to two old bald guys, one with glasses who answers to Johnny and the other a bit shorter who answers to Bobbie, feel free to buy something from them)


7. Beach Sweep/River Sweep (9 a.m. to 12 noon - September 18, 2010)

Need a little political statement here – A real environmentalist picks up trash, bumper stickers on your Prius don’t get it done.

River Sweep is a half day event designed to clean up the places we play in Columbia (and Statewide), namely the Congaree, Saluda and Broad rivers as well as Lake Murray. I’ve filled my canoe with trashbags in two different years and will be back on the river this year for the first time in a long time. You’ll see more about this in another blog but put it on your calendar now.

Cost – One day, three hours really to make a world of diference

6. Viva La Vista (September 25, 2010 - 2 p.m. until the last encore)

Food, fun and music in the Vista centered on the intersection of Gervais and Lincoln. Most restaurants are open with specials for this event; most of the stores are open with sales and specials as well. The only oddity for this event is that you use tokens (purchased at the event) to pay instead of cash so that the organizers can get their cut. This event generally draws a good crowd but it probably is not a “family event” if you plan to stay late for the entertainment. If you need a new idea for a date night, this is a good event because not only do you get credit for this date night but you can preview most of the better restaurants in the Vista for the next one. Parking is free if you’re willing to walk a block or two. Cost – the event is free but the cost is variable depending on how much you eat and drink, count on at least $20 an adult.



5. Charleston Scottish Games and Highland Gathering (September 18, 2010)

Okay, I’ve already admitted that I don’t need a special reason to drive to the Low Country but this is one of those events I’ve always wanted to attend. Here’s the problem, I’m going to participate in River Sweep as well (also on the 18th) so I’ve got a little planning to do. The event is held at Boone Hall plantation in Mount Pleasant – Boone Hall, for the uninformed is worth the drive to visit even if there isn’t a gathering or festival going on. (http://boonehallplantation.com/) Few people realize the significant number of Scots/Irish descendants that populate our fair state. There’s music, games (Scottish Games, not for the faint of heart) food (including real Scottish food – again, not for the faint of heart), dancing and hairy legged men in dresses – what more could you ask for?

4. Candlelight Tour of Historic Brattonsville

Another disclaimer here, I’m a member of the Cultural and Heritage Museums (C&HM)that run Historic Brattonsville and the York County Museums (at least I was, I may be about time to renew). Additionally, my father in law's wife is a docent for the C&HM.

Historic Brattonsvile is one of those places that you see the signs for and wonder, “…what is that?”. Put simply, Brattonsville is upstate SC, circa 1760-1880 or so. Remember the Scots Irish thing? Well Brattonsville is the living embodiment of it. A gentleman named William Bratton purchased land and built a home on Fishing Creek in what was then North Carolina sometime in 1770. Bratton rose to prominence during the American Revolution and at the conclusion adopted that most southern of monikers, Colonel Bratton. The fortunate sighting of the homestead allowed him to take advantage of the trade in that area and to prosper financially and socially. His obituary said of him, “…He was one of the old revolutionary characters, worthy to be remembered. . . His services were zealously devoted to his country throughout the Revolutionary war and for many years afterward in the [State] Legislature. . . He has left a widow and numerous family, besides a large circle of friends and acquaintances to lament his loss.” Many of the original structures, altered through history and restored now stand on the site of the original homestead. Every year in December, they have a candlelight tour that I’ve always wanted to see – this is the year. The Candlelight tour is December 11th and 12th from 3-9 p.m. Cost - $6 for adults, $3 for youths, children under 3 are free.

A couple of other events that I’ve been to at Brattonsville and definitely worth a “look see” are the reenactment of “The Battle of Huck’s Defeat” on July 10 and a “Civil war Reenactment” 23-24 Oct. Both events will fascinate “children of all ages”. They involve period dressed re-enactors, encampments and re-enacted battles complete with formations, muskets, drums and horse mounted cavalry.

3. Lights Before Christmas at Riverbanks Zoo, November 19- January 2

I’ve been and I’m going back, it’s just that much fun. From their web site:

The only place in town where it snows every night!

Bring the kids and the camera and see why Lights Before Christmas

has continued as a family tradition for more than 20 years.

* Nearly one million twinkling lights *

* Countless animated images *

* Dazzling Music in Motion Lights Spectacular *

* Larger-than-life holiday cards created by local students *

* Nightly visits with Santa-through Christmas Eve *

* Warm memories and holiday cheer around the Jingle Bell Bonfire *

* Hot cocoa, marshmallows and other festive foods available for purchase *

* THE POLAR EXPRESS 4-D Experience *

Cost – Free for Zoo Members (a worthwhile membership BTW), Prices for this year aren’t published yet

2. Carolina – Clemson Game, Nov 27th

If I have to explain the importance of this one, you, to use the vernacular, “…ain’t from around here…”. This game is such a big deal that it used to be held on Thursdays and was a state holiday known as “Big Thursday”.

I’m a USC Graduate but I’ve never been to Death Valley, for one reason or another, I just never made the trip. It may be that my aversion to orange has prevented me from making the trip or it might be that every time I get that close to the mountains I keep going till I find a trout stream but for one reason or another, I just never made it. This is the year – anybody got tickets?  Cost - whatever you budget will bear.

Number one was easy:


1. Have dinner at my own table, with my own family, go to church on Sunday and sit on a pew with my wife, my kids and my parents, meet friends at San Jose’s for lunch after church, go to Wal-Mart, cast a line, paddle the Congaree (once again, if I have to explain this one to you, you ain’t from around here.)



For a great list of events and festivals in South Carolina, go to SCIWAY (South Carolina’s Information Highway – I don’t know what happened to the H either).

If you’ve got an idea for an event that all three of my readers might be interested in, send me a note, I’d love to hear from you.