The sights and sounds of spring will soon be in the air, as plans are well underway for the 32nd Annual Pickens Azalea Festival scheduled for April 15th & 16. The annual Classic Car Cruise In, on Main Street will kick things off Friday night at 7 pm. Classic cars, jeeps and other vehicles restored to their original beauty will fill downtown Pickens, offering visitors a chance to revisit their past, while introducing their children and grandchildren to the glory days of automobiles. Bring the entire family as the kids can enjoy amusement rides in Legacy Square.
Musical entertainment will kick off Friday night on the main stage (next to PC County Court House) at 6:00pm with New Dixie Storm.
Jukebox 45 will headline Friday nights entertainment as they will take the main stage around 7:20pm. A bunch of talented musicians from around the country, they have been around since the 50s and 60s. As Greenville, SC’s #1 Oldies Band bring memories of the fantastic 50s, 60s and 70s to the festival.
Saturday morning April 16th the festival gets underway with the annual 5K walk/run. This event will begin at 7:30am and leave the new Doddle Trail off Cedar Rock Street in Pickens. Participants will travel a designated route planned by organizers. This event is sponsored by the Pickens Women’s Association.
Opening ceremonies at 10am in front of the PC Court House will kick things off for down town. Over one hundred area artists and crafters will line main street, offering their skills and talents to the public for sale and viewing. Local civic non-profit organizations and area businesses will be offering various types of food at the festival ranging from hotdogs, barbeque, hamburgers, funnel cakes, southern blt, and baked goods of all kinds just to name a few.
Throughout Saturday enjoy music on the Main Stage offering various forms of entertainment, ranging from local choirs like Griffin Ebenezer Church Choir to magic acts.
The Extraordinaires, a group formed in the spring of 2003 who love The Classics/Rhythm & Blues, have put together a unique blend of music. From the powerful kickin’ horns to the smooth lead vocals, The Extraordinaires have a “Pure Live” sound like no other that will keep you coming back. Based out of the Hickory/Charlotte area, they’ve played from Oklahoma to Washington to Jacksonville, Fl and all points in between. They will close out the festival Saturday night on the main stage around 8:45pm.
The Azalea Festival will again this year offer a free shuttle service provided by Grace Methodist Church & Bowers Transportation. You may park free at Pickens High School and also see Historic Hagood Mill. Both are located just off hwy 178 north of Pickens. The shuttle service will run Saturday from 11am – 7pm.
Hagood Mill was built in 1826, one of the oldest known gristmills in South Carolina. It still produces grain products today and is the only mill in South Carolina that uses the original wheel components. The mill is on the National Register of Historic Places. The Mill operation will run from 11am – 4pm. Admission to the mill and shuttle service are free.
Make plans to enjoy a family fun weekend in Pickens at the 32nd Annual Azalea Festival.
For festival information, entertainment, or to become a volunteer with the Azalea Festival, visit our website at pickensazaleafestival.com.
Make plans to enjoy a family fun weekend in Pickens at the 32nd Annual Azalea Festival. The festival is presented by Pickens Azalea Festival Inc., a 501c3 civic non-profit organization.
