The Pickens Azalea Festival, which rates among the South Carolina Upstate’s largest venue of be held this weekend, April 19-20. (Friday events have been cancelled due to weather and will be held on Saturday officials said._
The Festival was scheduled to open on Friday morning with the live broadcast of “Your Carolina with Jack and Kimberly,” followed by a classic car Cruise-In and entertainment featuring The Tams, whose 1968 hit, “Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy,” remains a popular song on classic radio stations today.
On Saturday, Pickens’ Main Street will be closed to vehicle traffic and the avenues will be filled with artists displaying and selling their crafts which encompasses an array of workmanship, including watercolor or oils painting; photography; metal and wood workings; sewing, crochet, and knitting; and various food items.
In addition, visitors to the festival can relax during the fun-filled day while enjoying various forms of entertainment, including musical groups, taking place on both Main Stage, on Court Street and West End stage in front of the Boggs house, Gantt said.
The festival will again this year be running a shuttle to the Hagood Mill Historic Site and Folklife Center, Gantt said. The gristmill was built in 1845 and is one of the oldest mills still operating and producing grain products in the state. The waterwheel is not only the largest, but also the only surviving wooden wheel in South Carolina, he said.
For information visit the festival website pickensazaleafestival.org. The Azalea Festival is sponsored by the Pickens Chamber of Commerce and Azalea Festival committee.
