As May comes to a close, June ushers in the summer season and a whole new set of events in the Upstate.
The summer season in the Upstate brings a flurry of outdoor activities, from nature spa retreat events to scavenger hunts, family fun day events, a zoo fest, comedy shows, skate sessions, dance lessons, and veterans fishing events.
Here are a variety of ways you can bring in the summer in the Upstate
Greenville Zoo Fest
Grenville Zool Fest will occur on Saturday, June 1, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. Zoo Fest is a fundraising event for the Greenville Zoo.
Adult admission is $30, child admission is $20, and ages 2 and under are free.
The first 100 tickets purchased will receive one free drink ticket.
Entry fees and stations throughout the zoo are credit card only.
Attendees will be able to view animals while enjoying a variety of live music and fun activities for the kids.
Activities included with admission: face painting, kids' crafts, Snapster photo booth, ambassador animal encounters, and keeper talks. Special guests include princesses from "Once Upon A Dream."
Food trucks and zoo concessions will offer a variety of food options for purchase. Additionally, beer, wine, and Pepsi products will also be available for sale.
Complimentary public parking is available in Cleveland Park. Click here to view parking options Cleveland Parking Locations, Current Map of Parking Garage Location.
Click here to purchase tickets.
Skate Till Sunset
Bring the family and come get your skate on at Skate Till Sunset at Unity Park, located at 320 S. Hudson St. in Greenville, on May 31 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
General admission is $5. Click here to get tickets.
The event features a crew-style theme with synchronized skating, original skate routines, popular footwork, and freestyle sessions.
Each session will have a color and music theme.
The Safety Stretch will take place from 5:15 p.m. to 5:30 p.m., the warm-up skate session will take place from 5:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., and a dance break will occur from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Bollywood at Sunset
Bollywood at Sunset will take place on May 31 at Camperdown Plaza, starting at 6 p.m.
The event opens with a dance lesson and then features a dynamic DJ and light show, dancing, and a cash bar.
This fun-filled and family-friendly event brings a touch of India to downtown Greenville with music and dancing that have become a worldwide sensation.
This is a free event for the public.
Day Retreat in Anderson
Date night? Looking for something to do on a summer evening? Consider attending the Relax in Nature Day Retreat at Putney Farm located at 1624 Taylor Road in Honea Path on Saturday, June 1, from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The event features a harmonious blend of meditation, yoga, outdoor activities, herbal teas, woodland trails, a food forest, and an herbal farm.
Donna Putney is the co-owner ofPutney Farm, a forager, plant medicine Instructor, gut health specialist, life coach, and certified holistic naturopathic practitioner.
Attendees will receive various downloadable nutrient-dense recipes.
Family Fun Day
If you're looking for a family-friendly event, consider attending a Free Family Fun Day presented by the Anderson County Office of Coroner Drug Education. The event will occur on Saturday, June 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Anderson Civic Center Parking Lot at 3027 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Honey Baked Ham, AnMed, Sosebee Mortuary, Mama Birria Crematory, Frios Gourmet Pops, and United Rentals of Belton sponsor the event.
It features a Ka' Jumpy Bus, a Fire Smokehouse, a firetruck, an ambulance, a helicopter, a foam cannon, a Gellyball Shooting Gallery, an Escape Room tent, Captain America, Scarlet Witch face painting, hair glitter, and Henna tattoos.
Food and beverage vendors on site include Honey Baked Ham, Mama Birria, Frios Gourmet Pop, Gettin Chilly, Wired Freeze Dried Treats, Sunshine Soda Shack, Flo's Cafe, Petrichor Coffee, Sugar Mama's Bakery, and snow cones.
Other vendors on site will include the YMCA, Splintered Raven Designs, MyVegan LLC, Paparazzi Jewelry, Jenn Jenn Designs, The Happy Paper Snail, Mary Kay, Bless Ur Hart Skincare, Grandma Bobbie's Girls, Madd Addie, Two Sisters Country Store, Lala's Dream Designs, Blue Iris, Tate & Co, Coop & Co. Designs, Seek the Truth Ministry, Phoenix Games, Rian's House of Treats, Addiction2Cre8, Carrie's Corner, H&L Play, TLC Custom Creations, Zay's Designs, Just 4 Barks, Pink Zebra, ECity's Unbroken, and Gilded Permanent Jewelry.
Comedy Hour in Anderson
If you're in the mood for some laughs, consider attending co*cktails and Comedy Night at Palmetto Distillery, located at 200 W Benson St, on May 31 at 7 p.m.
Come early and grab a bite from Bray'z Quesadillas.
At the Palmetto Distillery co*cktails and Comedy Night, you can expect to see a lineup of talented local comedians who will have you in stitches with their hilarious stand-up routines. Ryan Rubin hosts the event.
The comedian lineup features Makenzie Manent, Daniel Dellanno, and Ray Ahfoo.
Get your tickets online here.
Please call the distillery at 864-226-9917 for questions or requests.
Lake Hartwell Green Pond Landing Veterans Fishing Event
Veterans, would you like to spend some time on the lake? Cast your rod and catch some fish at the second annual Take a Veteran Fishing event on June 1 at Green Pond Landing, 470 Green Pond Road.
Tactical Tungsten is a Veteran Owned Company that supplies Tungsten Fishing Weights, Accessories, and Apparel.
Veterans will be paired with boat captains, all of whom are donating their time to support this event. They will spend the morning fishing on Lake Hartwell out of Green Pond Landing and Event Center.
After a few hours of fishing, they will be treated to lunch and fellowship.
All veterans, boat captains, and volunteers will receive T-shirts and Challenge Coins to commemorate the event.
Veterans will also be supplied with rod/reel combos they will take home.
The event's sponsors include Anderson County, Green Pond Landing and Event Center, Vets Helping Vets of Anderson, SC, Tiger’s Ford, Reeves Young, LLC, 5 Alive, AC Sonar, Nicodemus, Inc., and more.
Travis Rose covers Anderson County for the Independent Mail. Reach him via email attrose@gannett.com.
