What’s Blooming at the South Carolina Festival of Flowers?

Music, food, history, and topiary displays throughout South Carolina’s Old 96 District

May 13, 2024

Vanessa Infanzon,

Start the summer strong with a family road trip to South Carolina’s Old 96 District for its annual Festival of Flowers, which happens June 6-9. See more than 30 colorful topiaries designed in the form of cows, elephants, horses, and mermaids along the streets of Greenwood’s uptown, about 120 miles southwest of Charlotte.

Head to Old 96 District for the first road trip of the season:

Tour the topiaries in Greenwood. With names like Dino Dude, the T-Rex; King Kong, the Gorilla; and Bubbles, the Seahorse, everyone in the family will find their favorite topiary display for a photo opp. Grab a festival brochure from a local shop to see where each topiary is stationed along with the story behind it.
Shop at the Juried Arts & Crafts Show at the Uptown Market. More than 25 regional vendors bring handmade products – art, lotions, metal work, soaps, stained glass and more. Let the kids cool off at the splash pad, adjacent to the Uptown Market.
Enjoy activities at KidFest. See dance performances, tennis demonstrations, firetrucks, and more in the Uptown Market.
Peruse the Annual Car Show. Check out this outdoor showcase of restored cars and trucks from the early 20th century through present time.
Play at The Museum. This free, interactive space allows kids to dress up, play school, and run the general store and train table. Visit all three floors for rotating and permanent exhibits with educational and historical displays.
Sip vino on the Wine Walk. If the kids stayed home, purchase tickets for a music, shopping, and wine tasting experience. More than 20 businesses in Uptown Greenwood serve wine to guests as they browse the stores.
Wander through Ninety Six Revolutionary National Historic Site. After watching the 20-minute video on the area’s history, take a self-guided, one-mile tour through the hilly but paved loop through what was once a trading path in the 1600s. In 1775, it was the site of a land battle between loyalists and patriots. The siege trenches, rifle tower, Town of Ninety Six site, and the Stockade Fort can be seen on the trail.
Hike or camp at Lake Greenwood State Park. Nature trails and lakeshore loops, boat ramps, RV and tent sites, playgrounds, and more are perfect for a day stop or overnight retreat.
Eat at Greenwood’s family-friendly restaurants. Kickers Restaurant, a diner near the Uptown Market, serves burgers, salads, sandwiches, and four homemade soups that are available every day. Head to Fat Daddy’s for pork or chicken tacos, and don’t skip the peach cobbler. Aromas Uptown Coffee, Howard’s On Main Deli, Southern on Main, and Eggs Up Grill are all in Greenwood’s Uptown area as well.
Check out the town squares in Abbeville and Laurens. These small towns in the Old 96 District are great fun to explore. Abbeville’s Trinity Episcopalian Church, built in 1859, is open for tours on Saturdays from 12-4 p.m. Across the street is Indigenous Underground, a restaurant with a southern forward menu featuring the chef’s family recipes and a few secret ingredients. Rootimentary opened in Laurens at the end of 2022 and serves dinner Tuesday through Saturday, and brunch on Saturdays. The menu features fish and seafood and elevated southern dishes with gluten-free options.