Anderson / Lake Hartwell KOA Holiday Events

Campground 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.

Download the details

Downtown Music - April to October on Thursdays Photo

Downtown Music - April to October on Thursdays

The cities of Anderson, Greenville, and Seneca hold music in their old downtown areas. Bring your own chairs, eat some local food and tap your feet as a variety of musical genres fills the air.

In Anderson - Downtown Sounds is staged at Carolina Wren Park from 6–9 pm each Thursday evening from April through August. The full slate of entertainment includes a variety of music, from oldies, beach, blues, soul, and southern rock. (May 4 - August 31, 2023)

In Seneca - every Thursday from April to September, Ram Cat Alley is closed between 6:30 and 9 pm for Jazz on the Alley, which offers visitors live music and late shopping at the stores on the street. According to town legend, trains carrying produce for Main Street merchants were unloaded onto carts that were then wheeled the two blocks to the shops on Main. So many cats would gather around the carts piled high with meat and fish that one clever wag once quipped: "You couldn't ram another cat into the alley." Main Street was officially renamed Ram Cat Alley in the mid-1990s. (April 6 - October 26, 2023)

In Greenville - Downtown Alive kicks off the weekend every Thursday night with music at NOMA Square on Main Street. Check out who's playing here. (March 16 - August 31, 2023)

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

Saddlebreds, Hackneys, and Roadster Horse Show - Pendleton Photo

Saddlebreds, Hackneys, and Roadster Horse Show - Pendleton

In April 2023, the JD Massey Classic Horse Show celebrates its 89th year.  The original event, which started in June 1933, was known as The Greenville Horse Show.  The founding members' determination for the "show to go on" continued its success, even during World War II.  This year's event, heralded as one of the longest continually running American Saddlebred shows in the country, is a reflection of similar determination. This competition is for the American Saddlebred and Hackney breeds, as well as the roadster and saddle seat equitation disciplines or events.

Historically referred to as the “Horse America Made,” the American Saddlebred is the ultimate show horse. Proud, upright carriage with neck arched and ears forward, the American Saddlebred dominates the saddle seat disciplines with its elegant and powerful high-stepping action.

The Hackney originated in Norfolk, England, bred by prosperous farmers seeking to improve the quality and trotting speed of their carriage horses. The breed flourished in Britain throughout the 1800s due in part to the emphasis on swift, light carriage, and riding transport, and by 1878 the Hackney had found its way to the United States. The Hackney is a versatile performer that excels in carriage and combined driving events, as well as in the show ring wearing a saddle.Saddle seat is a style of competitive horse riding using an English saddle (smaller and lighter than a Western saddle and no horn to grab onto) that is designed to show off the high action of certain horse breeds. The style developed into its modern form in the United States. The goal of the saddle seat riding style is to show off the horse's extravagant gaits, particularly the trot. The rider must make the riding look effortless, and stay still, sitting upright, with shoulders back.  In saddle seat, high-stepping gaits are required of the horses. Roadster is a type of driving competition for horses where the horse and exhibitor appear in equipment similar to that used in harness racing. Horses pull a light sulky or carriage and drivers wear special clothing called racing silks. However, the exhibitors do not race. Instead, they perform in an arena at horse shows at trotting speeds that include a slow jog, a medium speed "road gait," and a rapid and long-strided but controlled trot referred to as showing "at speed." Animals are evaluated on performance and manners.

Free Event

Artisphere in Greenville Photo

Artisphere in Greenville

Greenville Scottish Games Photo

Greenville Scottish Games

Memorial Day Weekend! 

The Great Scot! Parade marches up Greenville's Main Street from Broad Street to E. North St., with Pipe Bands, faeries, floats and the Royal Highland Fusiliers on Friday evening at 6pm.

On Saturday, head to Furman University for the Scottish Games.  Gates open at 8am. Competitions are over by 4pm and the Awards Ceremony is at 5pm. The greatest Scottish Happy Hour in the world at 5:30pm – Celtic music, pipe bands and beer in the Entertainment Tent!
Heavy Athletics – All day on the Main Field
Piping/Drumming Competitions – All day around Cherrydale Mansion
Border Collie Demonstrations – 10:00am, 1:00pm & 2:30pm
Celtic Music – Main Stage starting at 10:00am
British Car Show – outside Main Gate from 9:30am to 3pm. The featured manufacturer is MG.
The colors, tastes, sights & sounds you will experience are all evocative of clan life in the wild Highlands of Scotland.
The Championship Heavy Athletic competition is drawn from the warrior traditions at ancient clan gatherings, as is the Highland Dancing competition. The Southern Piping Championship will remind you vividly of how the Great Highland War Pipes were an integral part of every Scottish clan marching into battle. The crafts - from the weaving of tartans to the stained glass demonstrations - would have been all around you at a Gathering of the Clans from long ago.
Visit
Greenville Games online for more information.

Children visiting our Games will have their own miniature Scottish village, called Wee Scotland. They have their own crafts, athletic events, "mountains" to climb, & much more, all the while absorbing a bit of the culture. The Border Collie Trials and Great Scot! Young Writers Contest are very popular, too!

SC Festival of Flowers, Greenwood Photo

SC Festival of Flowers, Greenwood

South Carolina Apple Festival, Westminster Photo

South Carolina Apple Festival, Westminster

The Upcountry's salute to the apple, the SC Apple Festival celebrates the beginning of apple harvest season in Oconee County, the largest apple producing area in the state. The annual festival starts on the Tuesday after Labor Day and continues to the following Saturday. The week-long activities include arts, crafts, and food vendors, a Chattooga River Float (Wednesday), live entertainment by various musicians, a street dance on Friday evening, the annual Apple Festival IPRA sanctioned World Championship Rodeo (Friday and Saturday nights), and so much more. Most of the events are free and are planned with the family in mind.

Parade is on Friday, 5pm start time. The parade will start in front of Westminster United Methodist Church, turn at Walgreens to go down Main Street, then turn at Blue Ridge Bank to cross the road to Sluders Urban Forestry's parking lot where the parade ends.

Carolina Foothills Heritage Fair, Seneca Photo

Carolina Foothills Heritage Fair, Seneca

Get ready for old-fashioned fun at the fair. Livestock, rides and games, crafts, exhibits, clowns, antique tractors, farm equipment, loads of entertainment and, of course, that delicious fair food. You can even bring your well-behaved dog to participate in the Pup Parade and Pageant.

See dairy cows and beef cattle, goats and hogs, rabbits and goats, roosters and chickens. Watch lumberjacks throw their axes and cut and chop logs. There will be wagon rides, a hay maze, petting zoo and pony rides. A fireworks show caps off the final night.
For more information, visit
Carolina Foothills Heritage Fair .
HOURS - September 19–23, 2023
Tuesday–Thursday: 4 p.m. – 10 p.m.
Friday: 4 p.m. – 11 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. – 11 p.m.

FAIR ADMISSION
All Fair Pass: (good for fair admission each day)
Adults: $20
Students: $10

Adults
Tue–Thu.: $5, Fri.–Sat.: $8
Students (K–12)
Tue–Thu.: $3, Fri.–Sat.: $5
Pre-School
No Charge
Discounts
Military: $3 each

FAIR RIDES
Tuesday & Thursday - Tickets only (No Ridebands)Ticket prices $1.25 each (3-5 tickets per ride)
20 tickets $20.00
45 tickets $40.00Wednesday, Friday & Saturday - Choice of Tickets or RidebandsRide bands $25.00 for all day.

Oktoberfest, Walhalla Photo

Oktoberfest, Walhalla

Tucked into the mountainous foothills of the Northwestern Corner of South Carolina, Walhalla bids you "Guten Tag! (Good Day!)". You're invited to experience "Gemutlichkeit!" (good spirits, good times, laughter and goodwill) at the Annual Walhalla Oktoberfest! Oktoberfest is a wonderful fall celebration of Walhalla's German heritage, with something fun for everyone! Each year, thousands of people come to Walhalla to experience Oktoberfest! Listen to the Little German Band while munching on a bratwurst with kraut. Enjoy a refreshing mug of cold German beer. Reunite with old friends. Join the dance floor for the always fun "chicken dance". Explore our amazing arts & crafts with vendors from all over the Southeast. And don't forget an apple dumpling for dessert! The kids will love our carnival rides and games as well as a delicious funnel cake! 

The evening ends with a fireworks show! There's truly something for everyone at the Walhalla Oktoberfest!

Holiday Lights Photo

Holiday Lights

Anderson Christmas Lights, sponsored by the Anderson Lights of Hope,  is celebrated at the Anderson Sports and Recreation Center. It is a 7/10 mile drive with over one million colored lights through both animated and stationary displays. The Lights of Hope is open nightly from Thanksgiving to Christmas Day. Admission is charged, and proceeds are given to local charities. Admission is charged.

The Celebration of Lights is celebrated at the Upper SC State Fairgrounds near Easley, with over one million lights that can be driven through. The Celebration of Lights is open nightly from Thanksgiving through Christmas Day. Admission is charged.

The Magic of Christmas is celebrated every year starting in mid-November and going to the end of December.  It's nostalgic with a modern twist. Romantic and family friendly at the same time. It's FREE FUN that everybody can enjoy!Route yourself through historic downtown Seneca to experience the streets aglow with a million lights that “dance” to holiday music. Tune your radio and cruise along, or leave your car and walk around. You'll find lots of spots for pictures and kids love running through the festive setting. Visit with Santa on selected nights, come watch the parade, cook s'mores and sip on hot chocolate and ride the Spirit of Seneca or Pride of Seneca trains.