Anderson / Lake Hartwell KOA Holiday Events

Local Area Events

Oconee Bell Nature Trail Photo

Oconee Bell Nature Trail

One of South Carolina's most unique and earliest wildflowers, the Oconee Bell, can be found blooming from mid-March to early April. Colonies of the Oconee Bells blooming in their entire splendor can be seen along the Oconee Bell Trail at Devils Fork State Park, a gateway to the Jocassee Gorges. The Oconee Bell is a rare flower found only in a few locations near the southern Appalachians. You can recognize the Oconee Bell by its white and yellow blossom with red stems and red-tinged leaves.

To catch a glimpse of this delicate and unique wildflower, make a trip to Devils Fork State Park during its blooming season and walk the Oconee Bell Nature Trail. Wear comfortable walking shoes. The walk is designed for ages ten and older. The Oconee Bell Nature Trail is an easy 1-mile loop trail that received its name for the rare wildflower that can be found along the footpath.

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Anderson Motor Speedway March to October Photo

Anderson Motor Speedway March to October

The Anderson Motor Speedway is located just north of I-85 at exit 27 - approximately 15 miles from the campground. Anderson Motor Speedway is a 3/8 mile paved oval. Wide straightaways and tight, tricky corners are infamous for producing close, competitive short track racing most Friday nights in the quest for the checkered flag. Anderson Motor Speedway roars into action each Friday night throughout the summer. A full lineup of the best driving talent from across the Carolinas and Georgia invade the "Supertrack of the Carolinas" each week in the quest for the checkered flag. Anderson Motor Speedway showcases some of the fiercest competition around. Come check out the Super Trucks.

Check out the Anderson Motor Speedway Schedule

Hillbilly Day - Mountain Rest Photo

Hillbilly Day - Mountain Rest

Come on over for live bluegrass bands under a shady 5000 sq ft pavilion, with arts & crafts, hickory-smoked BBQ, greased pig chase, horse-drawn wagon, snow cones, costume contests, clogging contests, children's games, and more! Hillbilly Day was founded in 1959 and is a celebration of Appalachian mountain culture and crafts. Free admission.  Parking donations accepted. Bring your own lawn chair for some traditional Appalachian music and family fun!

Hillbilly Day History
Hillbilly Day began between 1959 and 1961 to celebrate the Fourth of July and to showcase local talent in the areas of fiddling, square dancing, buck dancing, and political oration. The first gathering included music played in the back of a pickup, and a greased pole competition for the young, with money at the top as the prize. It has been an annual event that draws at least 5000 people to the small community of Mountain Rest on the Fourth of July. Homemade food and Bluegrass music are plentiful all day long, as well as demonstrations and competitions for sheep shearers, yodelers, and cloggers. Whoever has a talent is invited to come onstage, young'uns and old-timers. The crowd cheers for the most authentic hillbilly costume, and some them have been the same outfit worn by the same person for the last 50 years!
Children have run around barefooted and rolled in the sand to prepare to pile on top of each other to climb the greased pole where money has  pinned at the top. Of course, it's a team effort, and the child on the bottom of the pile has to have strong shoulders. Tug-of-war, tossing games, chicken coops, goat pens, roosters, rabbits, soap making, pottery throwing, face painting, fabric crafts, hillbilly T-shirts, corncob pipes- you name itm it's there- even a blacksmith and wood carvers. Grills and smokers are aplenty with chicken and barbeque; there are homemade cakes and pies, and of course, ice cream.
Watch out, because when the greased pig is let loose, it will run under your feet, followed by dozens of fast children racing to catch it, knocking over everything in their path.