News Summary
Spring has officially arrived in the Lakelands, ushering in a series of exciting festivals that celebrate community spirit and togetherness. Notable events include the Annual Hodges Outdoor Spring Festival, the 43rd Annual Abbeville Spring Festival, and the Ware Shoals Catfish Feastival. These festivals promise a variety of activities, entertainment, and delicious food, making them must-visit events for both locals and visitors. Join the celebration this spring and enjoy the vibrant atmosphere of these cherished gatherings!
Excitement Brewing in the Lakelands: Upcoming Spring Festivals
Spring has officially sprung in the Lakelands, and that means it’s time for some of the area’s most beloved festivals! Mark your calendars for the Annual Hodges Outdoor Spring Festival, the 43rd Annual Abbeville Spring Festival, and the Ware Shoals Catfish Feastival. Each event is packed with fun activities that celebrate our vibrant community spirit and will surely be a hit for locals and visitors alike!
Hodges Outdoor Spring Festival: April 25-27, 2025
First up is the highly anticipated Hodges Outdoor Spring Festival, kicking off with a soft opening on the evening of April 24 at 5 p.m. Get ready for carnival rides, which will delight children and adults alike! The festival keeps getting better each year and this one promises to be just as amazing with tons of crafters, mouthwatering food trucks, and live music – something for every taste!
During the festival, which runs through April 27, you can enjoy 50 crafters showcasing their creations and indulge in delicious offerings from 16 food trucks. There’s bound to be something that catches your eye (and your taste buds)! One of the highlights is a children’s foam party scheduled for Saturday morning from 10 a.m. to noon along Main Street, guaranteed to soak up lots of giggles!
This festival provides essential funding for the Hodges-Cokesbury Fire Department, ensuring that we can continue to stay safe while having a blast. Last year, over 5,000 attendees flocked to Hodges, with folks traveling from as far as Aiken, Greenville, Charleston, and Asheville to join the festivities. Make sure to catch the live performances by talented artists like Tyler McCutcheon, Brandon Gary, Luke Smith, and Jess Bowie throughout the weekend!
Abbeville Spring Festival: May 1-3, 2025
Next on the festival agenda is the equally thrilling Abbeville Spring Festival, occurring from May 1-3. Every year, it brings the community together and this year promises even more excitement with an expanded area and a new acoustic stage and Kids Zone! The amazing duo from the Abbeville Opera House has been hard at work to create a fantastic experience for everyone, especially with the support from local sponsors.
Expect to experience the sounds of live music from R&B Inc. and fabulous local talents like Bobby Power and Nicole Marie Quinn over the course of the festival. Last year, the event attracted a whopping 28,500 visitors, and this year is shaping up to be just as popular! An amusement ride pass for all three days is available for $45, giving you unlimited access to the rides and fun!
Ware Shoals Catfish Feastival: May 21-24, 2025
To wrap things up in style, the Ware Shoals Catfish Feastival is hitting the ground running from May 21-24, perfectly timed for Memorial Day weekend. Board members are optimistic about welcoming an amazing 25,000 attendees for the 45th annual event. It all kicks off on May 21 with a heartwarming gospel night at 6 p.m. and loads of fun activities for the youth, including free trampoline park access!
As always, the smell of delicious food will waft through the air, with vendors serving up catfish plates, barbecue, and other festival favorites. Enjoy exciting live entertainment from various bands and performers and don’t miss the chance to wander through the craft vendors and check out the popular car show. Plus, with free parking and convenient golf cart shuttles, getting there is a breeze!
Looking Ahead
As the season continues, keep your eyes peeled for even more local festivities like the South Carolina Festival of Flowers in Greenwood from June 5-8 and the South Carolina Festival of Discovery from July 10-12. With all this excitement coming up, there’s no reason to stay indoors!
So grab your friends and family, and make your way to Hodges, Abbeville, and Ware Shoals this spring to celebrate all that our fantastic communities have to offer!
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Additional Resources
- Index Journal: Lakelands Springing into Festival Season
- WSPA: Hodges Outdoor Spring Festival
- WSPA Video: Hodges Outdoor Spring Festival
- Wikipedia: Festival
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Festival
