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There’s No Doubt You’ll Fall for Greenville at Fall for Greenville

Tucked away in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Greenville, South Carolina is a vibrant, diverse and creative community. It is no mystery why they are recognized as one of the up and coming tourist destinations and growing metro areas in America. Forbes Magazine recently named Greenville one of the top 10 downtown areas in the United States. When fall begins to approach there are few more beautiful places to observe the changing colors than the densely wooded slopes of the Blue Ridge Mountains and the lush foothills beneath.

 

For 34 years the Fall for Greenville has been attracting visitors from all over the country to celebrate the changing season and fall colors. The event is free to the public and there complimentary rides from parking locations all over downtown. This is a great festival to bring the entire family. Children of all ages will love the Nationwide Insurance Kid’s Area that is loaded with fun games and activities. Over 60 different acts will take to the festival's five different stages. Live music from acts from all over the country will permeate the air proving the perfect soundtrack for a great day. Taste Tickets are currency of the festival and the key to enjoying the variety of foods, beverages, games, activities and rides. Foodies will fall in love with the festival because they feature over 40 dining options that have food for almost any taste. With so much to offer visitors we had to interview Event Administrator Tara Eaker about the event and the community.

 

RAL: How long has the event been running, how many people attend, who are they and what makes this festival unique?

TE: This will be the 34th year of Fall for Greenville. We estimate that between 150,000 and 200,000 people attend during the three-day festival. The festival prides itself on offering a wide range of activities and entertainment that appeal to a diverse group of people.

 

Fall for Greenville creates a truly unique atmosphere, bringing more than 150,000 people from Greenville, the Upstate and across the country. The festival is the place for foodies to sample signature cuisine from 40 different restaurants all while enjoying free admission to musical entertainment, culinary demonstrations and restaurant competitions. In addition, the festival encompasses a large section of Greenville’s downtown, which provides the perfect backdrop for the event.

 

RAL: What can I expect as an attendee?

TE: Fall for Greenville has quickly become one of the most highly anticipated food festivals in the Southeast. With 40 local restaurants in attendance, the event provides festival-goers with the perfect opportunity to sample some of Greenville’s finest cuisine. Whether it’s shrimp and grits, pumpkin cheesecake or chicken and waffles, the festival offers an assortment of tastes for everyone.

 

The festival prides itself on appealing to a diverse group of people, featuring a wide variety of musical entertainment – from rock and roll to jazz and blues to country to funk and oldies. The festival also features a children’s area filled with fun-filled rides; interactive mobile displays; ancillary activities, including restaurant competitions: a craft beer garden that includes tastings from 20 different breweries, a wine garden featuring jazz music and culinary demonstrations performed by local chefs.

 

RAL: Our travelers are a segment of the market that seek out unique, mom & pop accommodations...is this what they will find when they come to your event?

TE: Greenville offers a few unique properties for visitors to rest their heads after a full day of eating:

 

The Swamp Rabbit Inn is a six-room European style bike friendly property with a fully stocked kitchen that allows guests to prepare their own breakfast each morning. Guests can rent bikes from the on-site "Bike Shed" so they can experience the Greenville Health System Swamp Rabbit Trail, located just 2 blocks from the property, a perfect way to work off all that delicious food!

 

Pettigru Place is the true embodiment of Southern hospitality. The historic B&B is located within walking distance to Main Street and features 6 guest rooms with a full gourmet breakfast and daily happy hour.

 

Lastly, The Westin Poinsett is a 4-diamond hotel full of local history. For one hundred years, the Mansion House Hotel stood on South Main Street in Greenville, South Carolina. In 1924, the hotel was demolished to make room for the construction of the Poinsett Hotel. The price tag for the new hotel was 1.5 million dollars, and when it opened on June 20, 1925, it was one of the most beautifully furnished hotels in the country. After a series of ups and downs,  the hotel remained empty until November 1997 when Steve Dopp and Greg Lenox, owners/developer of the historic Francis Marion Hotel in Charleston, purchased it and the extensive-and expensive renovation process began. In June 2000 the owners, former employees and friends of the Poinsett Hotel, celebrated the 75th anniversary of its original grand opening with an exhibit of historic memorabilia in City Hall and a reception in the Gold Ballroom of the hotel. Until early 1990, the Poinsett Hotel was considered one of the eleven most endangered historical sites in South Carolina. Today it is where A-list celebrities like George Clooney and Renee Zellweger opt to stay when they visit the city.

 

RAL: What does Fall for Greenville mean to the community?

TE: With the event drawing visitors from across country, it not only provides the perfect opportunity for Greenville to showcase its diverse and wonderful selection of local restaurants, but it also creates an economic stimulus for the City’s downtown hotels and shops.

 

For the 2014 festival, downtown Greenville hotel occupancy rates were almost at maximum capacity for Friday and Saturday night. Hotels within a 20-mile radius of the city had an average of almost 94% occupancy rates for Fall for Greenville’s Friday and Saturday nights.

 

Fall for Greenville supports the local community, partnering with various local nonprofits each year. This year’s festival will benefit 11 different charities. Over the past 10 years, the festival has donated over $400,000 to the local community.

 

RAL: Why should people come to Fall for Greenville?

TE: Fall for Greenville offers a unique opportunity for foodies to enjoy a taste of Greenville from 40 of Greenville’s best restaurants. Highlighted on downtown Greenville’s award winning Main Street, the lively street festival includes free musical entertainment and family-friendly entertainment that make it a perfect trip for both young and old.


For more information please visit the festival website.