Weekend Events Across The Carolinas

If you're looking for plans across the Carolinas this weekend, there is plenty to choose from: Balloon Festival in Anderson, Apple Fest in Hendersonville, the Upper S.C. State Fair and a Champion Cyclist Race in Greenville!

By: | News Channel 7
Published: August 29, 2008

BALLOON FESTIVAL: Anderson holds it's 2nd annual Balloon Festival. It kicked off at 6:30 a.m. Friday and going through Labor Day. Parking is $5 per car. There are vendors on hand and a battle of the bands competition Friday from 5-7:30p.m. You can also donate to Locks of Love on site. There is a kids bounce fest area and balloon fights with entertainment all weekend long! Randy owen of Alabama performs Friday. You can find a complete schedule of events with details and times on the Anderson website.

APPLE FEST: Hendersonville's 2008 Apple Fest kicks off Friday August 29th! 150 vendors will take over Main Street downtown while thousands of people flock to try the tasty food, get a look at arts and crafts, and enjoy live entertainment throughout the whole weekend. And let's not forget the point... apples! Apple growers will be there with fresh fruit available in all forms. The festival wraps up with the King Apple Parade on Labor Day. It's an annual celebration that draws crowds across the Carolinas. Main Street will be closed from 6th Avenue to Caswell Street. The city of Hendersonville asks you to leave your animals at home.

The Apple Fest website points out that:

"North Carolina is the 7th largest apple-producing state in the nation and Henderson County is the largest apple-producing county in North Carolina. The most widely-grown apples are Red Delicious, Golden Delicious, Rome Beauty and Galas. In addition, many orchards grow a number of other varieties. Fresh apples may be purchased at one of the many roadside apple markets or produce stands located throughout the county."

CYCLING PRO CHAMPIONSHIPS: Greenville will once again welcome USA Cycling Professional Champions to the area. It's the third year in Greenville, and race organizers announced some big names participating, including olympic gold medalists! The race starts August 30th and ends August 31st. The clock begins at 11 a.m. August 30th for a 20.7 mile race. The cyclists start on a new course at Clemson University.
For more details, click here.

THE UPPER SOUTH CAROLINA STATE FAIR: The fair is held at the Fairgrounds in Greenville County off U.S. 123. Visitors will be able to ride rides, listen to music, and visit a petting zoo. Organizers say up to 220,000 people visit over the 11 day run, but they expect more crowds this year because of high gas prices.