Festifall returns to Walnut Grove
History will come to life Oct. 3-4 at Walnut Grove Plantation as the Spartanburg County Historical Association hosts its 34th annual Festifall.
The two-day event will take place at the historic plantation, located at 1200 Ott Shoals Road, and will focus on daily life during the American Revolutionary War. More than 100 reenactors will portray soldiers and civilians, with live battle reenactments and artillery demonstrations scheduled throughout the weekend.
Visitors can also experience 18th-century cooking and weaving demonstrations, grounds archaeology tours, colonial-era children’s games and live music. The event offers an opportunity for families to explore the historic Walnut Grove grounds while learning about life in the Upstate during the Revolutionary era. For more information, click here.
Spartanburg House candidates invited to Voice of Business Brunch
OneSpartanburg, Inc. will host a special Voice of Business Brunch on Monday, Oct. 19, featuring candidates for the South Carolina House of Representatives representing Spartanburg County.
The event, titled “Meet the S.C. House Candidates,” will give attendees an opportunity to hear from candidates ahead of the Nov. 3 general election. All Spartanburg County House candidates have been invited to participate.
The brunch is scheduled for 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Piedmont Club.
Registration is available through OneSpartanburg, Inc.
Inman church plans pet blessing, fall yard sale
Springs of Grace Lutheran Church in Inman will host two free community events in October open to the public.
The church’s annual Blessing of the Animals takes place during outdoor worship at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 4, in the covered gazebo. Pet owners are invited to bring animals for a blessing. All pets must be secured for safety.A Fall Yard Sale follows from 8 a.m. to noon Friday, Oct. 9, and Saturday, Oct. 10. Shoppers are welcome to browse items and visit with neighbors.
Both events are at Springs of Grace Lutheran Church, 320 Holden Drive, Inman, in Spartanburg County.
Pacolet RiverFest set for October 17
Pacolet’s annual RiverFest will bring music, family-friendly activities and local vendors to Pacolet Flats on Saturday, Oct. 17.
The festival will be held from noon to 7 p.m. at 1 Limestone St. Attendees can enjoy live music and entertainment, browse craft vendors and visit the kids’ zone, which will feature rides and free face painting. Local food trucks will also be available throughout the event.
For more information, click here.
Artists’ Guild to host annual GUILDed Masquerade
The Artists’ Guild of Spartanburg will host its annual GUILDed Masquerade on Saturday, Oct. 3, at Chapman Cultural Center.
The evening will showcase the talents of local Guild artists, who will create artwork live throughout the event. The completed works will be auctioned during the evening.
Tickets include food, drinks, dancing and access to the live auctions. Guests are encouraged to dress in “creative cocktail” attire and wear a mask, with organizers encouraging attendees to make their looks as imaginative as possible.
For more information and tickets, visit the Artists’ Guild of Spartanburg online.
Cooley Springs-Fingerville Elementary recognized for academic achievement
Cooley Springs-Fingerville Elementary School recently welcomed South Carolina Superintendent of Education Ellen Weaver for a visit celebrating the school’s academic achievement.
Weaver visited the Spartanburg County School District 2 school on Constitution Day, Sept. 17, as part of her recognition of schools that have exceeded the state’s goal for student achievement. Cooley Springs-Fingerville Elementary is among the first schools selected for Weaver’s “Superintendent’s 75 Club.”
The initiative recognizes schools where at least 75% of students meet or exceed expectations in both English language arts and mathematics.
Weaver was joined by South Carolina Teacher of the Year Corey Bedenbaugh, who led a special Constitution Day lesson for fifth-grade students in Michelle Brill’s class. The visit gave students an opportunity to learn more about the U.S. Constitution while celebrating the academic accomplishments of their school.
Kidtoberfest brings fall fun to Children’s Museum on October 2
Families with young children can celebrate the arrival of fall at Kidtoberfest, the Children’s Museum of the Upstate-Spartanburg’s fall festival, on Friday, Oct. 2.
The event will take place from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the museum, located at 130 Magnolia St. Designed with preschool-aged children in mind, the festival will feature pumpkin and leaf crafts, a play-based apple orchard, Professor Pumpkinstein’s Workshop, special photo opportunities and other seasonal activities.
Tickets are required for everyone attending the event and can be purchased here.
Fall fun returns to Woodruff flower farm
Fall activities are in full bloom at Dirt & Grit Farm in Woodruff, where the farm’s annual Sunflower Festival and Fall U-Pick days offer seasonal activities for visitors of all ages.
Located at 3456 Harris Bridge Road, the farm features sunflowers, dahlias, zinnias and cosmos available for visitors to enjoy and pick. Guests can also meet farm animals, explore the children’s park, choose a pumpkin from the patch and enjoy rotating food and drink vendors.
Dirt & Grit Farm is open Wednesday through Sunday through Oct. 31. For more information visit Dirt & Grit Farm.
Upstate Talent Forum set for October 13-14
The 2026 Upstate Talent Forum will bring workforce, education and business leaders together Oct. 13-14 to discuss strategies for developing the region’s future workforce and expanding economic mobility.
The two-day forum will focus on collaboration among organizations working to strengthen talent development, align workforce strategies and address the changing needs of employers across the Upstate.
The forum is intended to provide an opportunity for business, education and workforce-development leaders to share ideas and explore approaches to preparing workers for current and future opportunities throughout the region.
More information about the 2026 Upstate Talent Forum, including event details and registration, is available at https://upstatetalentforum.com/
Jump Jam returns to Spartanburg Bike Park on October 10
Jump Jam, a community cycling event hosted by PAL, will return Saturday, Oct. 10, at the Subaru of Spartanburg Bike Park.
The afternoon will feature children’s races, jumping demonstrations and competitions, along with activities for families and riders of varying experience levels.
First-time riders can participate on the children’s track, while experienced cyclists will have opportunities to compete and demonstrate their skills on the park’s jump lines.
Registration and additional information is available at www.palspartanburg.org/.
District Five Teacher of the Year receives $4,500 gift
A District Five teacher received an unexpected honor during a recent recognition ceremony celebrating the district’s educators.
Lea Elizabeth Harrison, a teacher at James F. Byrnes High School, was presented with a $4,500 check from Thompson Turner Construction after being named Spartanburg County School District Five’s 2026-27 Teacher of the Year.
Harrison was surprised with the gift Sept. 11 during a ceremony at Nixon Field honoring the district’s school-level Teachers and Support Employees of the Year.
