If football, Halloween, pianist George Winston, and Thanksgiving turkey aren’t enough to fully put you in the autumn spirit, consider adding what is fast becoming a local signature tradition with Fall for Spartanburg.
Hosted by Cara Bella Boutique for its fourth year, this one-day, free-admission festival will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 19 to showcase Spartanburg’s burgeoning downtown while celebrating a new and, hopefully, cooler season.
Between 40-60 food and crafts vendors are expected to go with entertainment, and what transplant organizer Cara Slattery hopes will be a new experience for people who don’t frequent the city’s downtown.
“I came here from Nashville in 2022, and started my own business on a shoestring to get integrated into the community as a new resident,” Slattery said. “I saw that we didn’t have a fall festival, and the idea was to bring people downtown to see what downtown is all about.”
Patrons will be treated to live music, children’s crafts, many different kinds of food from local restaurants, and maybe a touch of autumn air that arrives early.
HIS Radio will be a new feature, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Local musician David Lopez, who also runs an area cleaning business, will provide music for much of the afternoon.
While the logistics took six months to plan and coordinate with participants, and with city officials for trash and police, Slattery said it is all worth it to make downtown shops, restaurants, and new growth more visible.
“Even with all the growth, development, construction, and improvements, it’s so easy to get around in our downtown,” she said. “Parking is free on nights and weekends, you can access a shuttle, and this festival gives people a chance to see that.”
Of course, Slattery doesn’t handle everything by herself: The Scholars Academy at USC Upstate allows students to earn their volunteer hours by assisting with the festival.
“I usually get 12 students to help out, and they elevate the support we give to our vendors.” she said. “But marketing the event and getting the word out to the public is always the biggest challenge.”
In coming years, however, that challenge might become far more manageable.
The festival so far has averaged just under 3,000 people, but is growing. And this is with minimal city involvement – which Slattery hopes to change.
“I would love for the event to grow to the point where the city could take it over,” she said. “It’s come this far with just me leading it because I like seeing families and people come together to enjoy fall and to support local small businesses. And the festival continually attracts people and keeps them aware of what’s here while experiencing downtown Spartanburg.”
