As an avid gardener, I was thrilled when I was invited to attend the South Carolina Festival of Flowers in Greenwood. But, this annual three-day festival isn’t just for gardeners, it’s for the entire family. This annual event, now in its 51st year, kicks off a month-long celebration. So, there’s plenty of time to see why The Festival of Flowers has been named “one of the top 20 events” by the Southeast Tourism Society. If you’ve never been, here’s some of what you’ve been missing.
Fun Festival of Flowers Events:
1. Signature Topiary Display– Located in historic Downtown Greenwood along the square on Main Street, the Uptown Market, and the Greenwood County Library, you’ll find 42 “living topiaries.” These elaborate and complex designs require a team of horticulturists to work on their creation year-round. All of the topiaries are easily within walking distance of each other and will fascinate both children and adults. You’ll find everything from monkeys to mermaids to these cute ducks, nicknamed “Dabbling Ducks, the Baby Ducklings.” Along the way, you’ll find plenty of shady places to sit and quaint eateries in case you have a hungry spot. These topiaries, sponsored by local businesses, are on display throughout the month of June. Pick up a free Festival of Flowers guide to find detailed information about each topiary and its location. Cost: Free.
2. Topiaries and Tastings Wine Walk- This not to be missed event provides a stroll through 17 shops around historic Greenwood square. The walk begins at the Uptown Market, where you’ll be given a map of tasting locations, along with a souvenir wine glass. This walk, held between the hours of 5:30-8:00 pm on Saturday, is self-guided, allowing participants to set their own pace. Each stop features a different wine, along with light refreshments. Be sure to take a pencil to mark favorites as they are available for purchase at Flynn’s on Maxwell. Along the way, you’ll be treated to local music and a terrific view of the topiaries. Bring a friend and enjoy a girl’s night out. Cost: $25. Tickets are available at Greenwood Chamber of Commerce. Many of the local businesses also offer coupons and discounts during the tour.
3. Garden Tours- If you’re a gardener, have gardening questions, or just like to explore nature, don’t miss the four exhibitor gardens available to tour. You’ll come away with design ideas and have a chance to talk to master gardeners. I came away with a list of pollinator plants I could use in my planting zone, along with new ideas for organic planting. Two of the gardens, the Nelson Smith garden and the City of Greenwood Gardens, are located a few minutes drive from downtown, while the Barklow Wildlife Habitat and the Metts Organix Farm, are located approximately a fifteen to twenty-minute drive out of town. Be sure to ask Mr. Smith for stories about his garden, as he has interesting tidbits of information about the architectural elements located in his garden. Cost: Free
4. Greenwood Historic Churches Tour- Spend Sunday afternoon exploring the architecture of some of Greenwood’s oldest churches and most beautiful churches. Some of the buildings date back to 1860 and 1890! Guided tours are available at each church and some feature light refreshments. Nine churches are displayed on the tour and several of them are within a short driving distance of each other. The Main Street United Methodist Church and the First Presbyterian Church are located across from each other, making them two easy stops. Cost: Free.
5. Jazz Brunch & Tour- Don’t miss the chance to visit the Railroad Historical Center and enjoy a delicious brunch served in a 1924 Pullman dining car. Take a tour of the historic train cars, listen to smooth jazz, and pretend you’ve slipped back in time. The brunch, consisting of delicious seafood and dessert crepes, egg casserole, chicken, rice pilaf, and other goodies, features a complimentary mimosa or drink of your choice. The dessert- a smooth creamy vanilla ice cream topped with a strawberry liquor infused creme, is the perfect touch to the gourmet meal. This is a perfect opportunity for a date or girlfriend’s day out. Cost: $50.
6. Arts & Crafts Show- If you love handmade crafts, this two-day event (held on a Friday and Saturday) is the place to be. With an impressive array of local and regional vendors, all of whom must display their own original designs and creations, you’ll find everything from homemade pet treats to handcrafted fire pits. Several of the craftsmen demonstrate making their wares on site, so keep an eye out for these events! Cost: Free.
7. Kidfest- Spend Saturday morning with the kids! Beginning at 9:30 until noon, you’ll find live entertainment from local performers including karate demonstrations, dance performances, and more. Stroll by the booths specially set up for children and receive fun surprises from local businesses. There’s also fun performances from family-friendly entertainers, like Chuck Alberding and Mark Lippard. Afterward, stay and spend an afternoon splashing in the Uptown fountain. Cost: Free.
8. The Annual Auto Show- For the auto buffs in the family, the annual car show is a fun way to see classic and luxury cars. Spend Saturday morning talking to fellow car enthusiasts and vote for your favorite cars. Cost: Free to attend, a small fee to exhibit cars.
9. Life of Honey Bees Observation Hive- Located approximately fifteen minutes outside of downtown Greenwood, Emerald Farms offers fun for the entire family. Stop by and feed the ducks and geese surrounding the pond, pet the friendly goats, or admire the peacocks strolling in the shade. There’s beautiful gardens and scenery to enjoy and a small shopping area with local products, including honey products and goats milk soap. We were able to see a live hive and locate the queen bee and provided the opportunity to ask questions. Cost: free.
10. Photography Exhibit – This annual event promotes the work of local professional and amateur photographs. Spend some time in downtown Greenwood admiring the beautiful photography. The exhibit is open on Friday and Saturday and is one of South Carolina’s largest summer exhibitions. Cost: Free
Have you attended the Festival of Flowers? If so, what was your favorite event? If not, what are you waiting for? You’ll have “a blooming good time.”
I hope we can attend some year. This just Looks so much fun!
What a beautiful event. I would love to visit there one day!
My best friend is really into plants and actually attended the festival this year (we live in Charlotte, NC). I’m not to into flowers, but i’d definitely go for the wine lol
So many activities that you can do while you’re there! I think the garden tour is something that I’ll enjoy and the husband’s going to love the auto show as well. We must plan a trip there!
I love festivals like these. I love looking at pretty flowers and seeing cool arrangements and such. This looked like loads of fun!
What a lovely event! And there are many activities the entire family can enjoy other than viewing various plants. I’m sure you enjoyed yourself!
I love gardening so that would be a festival I would enjoy attending. That peacock is gorgeous!
Now this sounds like my kind of festival! I would love the chance to go to this one year!!
Wow, indeed this is more than just a festival. For sure many families dropped by at this event. So nice to see beautiful plants like this.
Love that there was a wine walk! I would love to visit something like this with my best friend.
I adore festivals like this! It’s really so beautiful and lovely! I think it’s awesome that you’re sharing this, I didn’t know that there’s a festival of flowers in Greenwood.
I would love to go here one day! I love looking at flowers since I can’t grow them. I always enjoy arts and crafts shows too. It’s neat to see what people can create.
These tours all seem so great and the topiaries are fabulous. A jazz dinner sounds like a great way to spend a summer evening.
I would LOVE this! I just got back from the Epcot’s International Flower and Garden show. It was amazing and this reminds me of it.
I’ve never attended the Festival of Flowers before. I hope to one day plan a trip around. It would be a lot of fun to check it out.
My mom is a huge flower person. She would love something like this. I wonder if they have something like this close to us because I would love to take her. It looks gorgeous.
This would be something I would want to visit and stroll through if we were visiting South Carolina. Love all the topiaries and that peacock is beautiful.
We have relatives down south and we recently visited for a get together. How I wished I had known about this festival as it sure is absolutely breathtaking and beautiful. I will share to hubby so we can remember to check it out when it comes back again.
I would LOOOOOVE to go to the Festival of Flowers. There is nothing like fresh flowers and I would love to go see all the displays.