It’s fall coming back to me 🍂

And it was all yellow…and red and orange. | Photo by @upstateoutdooradventurer | Photo by Upstate Outdoor Adventurer

Grab your calendars. It’s almost fall + leaf it to us to help you plan the perfect time to peep the fall foliage.

We’ll be breaking it down by elevation, with trees at the top changing color first. For reference: Greenville’s elevation is ~1,000 ft.

6,000+ feet

In early October you’ll see peak fall foliage at the highest elevations in the Blue Ridge Mountains like Graveyard Fields, Waterrock Knob + Mount Mitchell (each ~2-2.5 hours from Greenville).

4,000-5,000 feet

If you’re planning to drive the Blue Ridge Parkway or visit Great Smoky Mountains National Park (~2 hours from Greenville), circle mid-October on your calendar.

3,000-4,000 feet

Mid-to-late October is when the fall foliage creeps closer to the Upstate and the road trips to the NC mountains get shorter. Think: Pisgah National Forest + Looking Glass Falls (both ~1.5 hours from Greenville).

2,000-3,000 feet

Late October is when the Upstate will start to peak, especially around our own mountains. Pro tip: A State Park Passport gets you access to Paris Mountain State Park, Table Rock State Park + Caesars Head State Park — three local spots with peeks of peak foliage. See Discover SC’s full list of state parks with prime viewing of fall covers.

Remaining Elevations

By early November, you’ll see fall foliage in your favorite Greenville spots, like Falls Park + along the Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail.

What’s your favorite spot to see the changing leaves? Let us know.

Share this story with the person you’re taking to see the leaves change.

EVENTS

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Today

Greenville Heritage Main Street Fridays | Fri., Sept. 16 | 5:30-9:30 p.m. | NOMA Square | Free entry | Get your groove on to soul, jazz, and rock band Gwen & the Kats + nom on food from Everything Egg Roll food truck.
Upstate Kids Consignment | Fri., Sept. 16-Sat., Sept. 17 | Greenville Convention Center, 1 Exposition Dr. | Times vary | Free entry | Shop 1000+ fall and back to school items for kids at this bring-your-own shopping bag sale. 🛍️
Musical Jamboree | Fri., Sept. 16 | 10-10:30 a.m. | Hughes Main Library, 25 Heritage Green Pl. | Free | Children 18 months to 4 years old are invited to explore literature through music, songs, creative movement, and instruments. 🎶

Saturday

Apple Fest Season Finale | Sat., Sept. 17 | 8:30 a.m.-12 p.m. | Travelers Rest Farmers Market, 235 Trailblazer Dr. | Free entry | Celebrate the final summer season market + annual celebration of the apple harvest with apple cider slushes, donuts, and more. 🍎
Waggin’ at the Waterpark | Sat., Sept. 17 | 9 a.m.-2 p.m. | Otter Creek Waterpark, 101 W. Darby Rd. | $28 | Bring your pup along for a day of splashing around — proof of vaccinations + advanced registration required. 🐶
Open House for the Preserve Villas at Hartness | Sat., Sept. 17-Sun., Sept. 18 | Sat., 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun., 1-5 p.m. | 110 Graham Dr. | Free | Tour the first townhome-style residences ever released at Hartness — these 14 residences offer 3 BD, 2.5 BA, an open concept, and an upstairs flex space perfect for an office or kids play area. 🏡 *

Sunday

Breathwork and Reiki | Sun., Sept. 18 | 3 p.m. | Half Acre Holistics, 607 W. Parker Rd. | $60 | Engage in energetic healing to feel lighter, balanced, inspired, and aligned with purpose + enjoy a post-class cup of tea. 🌬️
The Sunday Supper Series | Sun., Sept. 18 | 4-7 p.m. | The L, Larkin’s Catering & Events, 211 East Broad St. | $65 | Enjoy an evening of light jazz music, a mix of food stations + a fully stocked cash bar.

Plan Ahead

Oktoberfest | Fri., Sept. 30 + Sat., Oct. 1 | 11 a.m.-9:30 p.m. | NOMA Square | Free entry | Prost with beer, food + friends to celebrate the annual German folk festival. 🍻
Kip Moore | Sat., Oct. 8 | 11 p.m. | Blind Horse Saloon*

We have a monthly guide filled with events + activities you can plan for in advance. Click the button below to bookmark ideas for upcoming date nights, family outings, and time with friends.

For tickets to local and regional events, check out our 6AM Tickets resale marketplace.*

100+ MORE EVENTS

TRY THIS

More Than Rhythm: A Black Music Series 🎶

Ethnomusicologist and series host Dr. Birgitta Johnson, pictured here with blues artist and SC native Adia Victoria, leads each conversation in the series. | Photo by Drew Baron for the Columbia Museum of Art

Hey, GVL — Michaela here. 👋 I recently joined the Columbia Museum of Art (CMA) in Columbia, SC for a celebration of Black music. More Than Rhythm: A Black Music Series dives into the history, evolution, and influence of Black music across all genres.

Featured artist Adia Victoria spoke about her journey to discovering the blues and leaning into her identity as a Southern Black woman. The conversation was followed by a performance of Victoria’s original poetry with guitarist Mason Hickman featuring dance interpretations by Columbia-based dancer Erin Bailey.

Here’s more on the series + how you can Try This.

What we tried (with pricing):

I reserved my spot in advance on the CMA’s website — although admission is free, attendees must RSVP to secure a spot. The galleries and cash bar open at 6 p.m., which gives guests a chance to explore the museum, grab a beer or glass of wine (~$5), and mingle before the event.

WHAT NOT TO MISS

NEWS NOTES

Weather

85º | Sunny | 10% chance of rain

Opening

Just in time for holiday season shopping. Burlington at the Shops at Greenridge will open next month. Shop home decor, clothing, accessories + more when the store opens Fri., Oct. 14.
RockerBelles is now open at its new location at 10 W. Stone Ave. The “Rocker Chic Boutique” shares the space with The Hollywood Vampires Salon (by appointment only) and is open Tues.-Sat. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. + Sun. 11 a.m.-3 p.m.

Coming Soon

Chiropractic care center Peak Recovery and Performance is coming to Greenville in Jan. 2023. While the location is still in the works, the office will have a membership program.

Plan Ahead

Skeech players, this one’s for you. Tetrad Brewing Company (603 E. Stone Ave.) is hosting a Skeech tournament on Sat., Sept. 24 at 1 p.m. It’s free to play and cash prizes are on the table. Peep the rules of Skeech (think: shuffleboard meets skee ball), if you’re new to the game like us.

Drink

Cheers, Spinx. The locally-based gas + convenience store chain launched its first beer, a golden ale called the ‘72 Brew — a nod to the year the chain was founded — made by Thomas Creek Brewery. Get a taste + meet founder Stewart Spinks on Tues., Sept. 20 at the Spinx at 619 Rutherford St. from 3-5 p.m. 🍻

Number

$23 million. That’s how much Spain-based baked goods producer Europastry will invest in Laurens County to establish operations at the former Muffin Mam facility (830 Hunter Industrial Park Rd., Laurens). The investment will create 155 jobs + operations are expected to begin by the end of November. 🍞 (Upstate Business Journal)
$67,000+. That’s how much Miracle Hill Ministries raised at its fourth Kids Ninja Challenge — with 400+ kid participants. The funds will support the organization’s mission to help people experiencing homelessness. (Greenville Journal)

Edu

Clemson University is helping develop technology to make manufacturing faster, cheaper + more environmentally friendly. The project — based at Greenville’s Clemson Composites Center — is a partnership with Honda, Ohio State University + Additive Engineering Solutions LLC. (Upstate Business Journal)

Asked

Who influences you, GVL? Whether it’s a local fashion icon or an Upstate foodie, we want to know your favorite local influencers. 📱 Let us know.

Feel Good

What would you do to save the life of a 2 year old who just had both kidneys removed? One SC woman lost 100 pounds in a determination to be eligible to donate her kidney to her niece. See her moving story. (Hint: It has a happy ending.) *

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Food

Welcome home, Chef Tyler Florence.

“It’s so good to be home.”

Chef Tyler Florence — Food Network host, restauranteur + cookbook author — grew up right here in Greenville, SC. During a Q+A at Soby’s to help kick off euphoria, he shared stories of growing up in the Upstate — including washing dishes at The Fishmarket and walking in the Christmas Parade dressed as the Little Caesars mascot. (Yeah — that happened.)

What’s Greenville’s signature dish?
I think what the Upstate really kind of tastes like is barbecue... It’s hickory-smoked, it’s pork shoulder, it’s ribs. And then you kind of get into the down and dirty stuff with all the side dishes. It’s collard greens kind of cooked down all day with a ham hock. It’s fried okra. It’s really good macaroni and cheese. It’s macaroni salad. All the good things that come along with that good barbecue plate.

City Editors Kyle and Danielle taking a photo with Chef Tyler Florence. — Tyler says he loves a good “meat and three” from his time in SC. | Photo by GVLtoday

What is it like being home in Greenville?
It’s a moment where you close your eyes and you realize how short and how fast life is. I can’t believe it’s been so long since I’ve been here, but the air still smells the same. I think that Southern charm and hospitality kind of comes through... I think to me that’s the most powerful moment when you come back and you realize that Southern charm, it’s here and that’s in me, for sure.

Click the button below for how Tyler’s Greenville roots helped him find culinary success, plus — a very important Southern question — what’s his favorite mayonnaise?

HINT: IT'S GOT TWANG

THE WRAP

Today’s issue was written by Danielle.

Editor’s pick: Do you follow us on Instagram? Last night we shared the bites, sips + sounds of two euphoria events: Songwriter’s Recipe and Aged to Perfection. We had a blast at both events. Kyle and I are spending our entire weekend at euphoria + we’re even judging the mixologist competition on Sunday. If you see us, please come and say hello.

Missed yesterday’s newsletter? We shared the state of Unity Park’s affordable housing, by the numbers.

Connect with us.

Editorial: Kyle Steadings, Danielle Johnson, Jessalin Heins-Nagamoto, Kaylee Holland, Ashlea Hearn, Emily Shea | Send us a scoop, question, or feedback.

Sales: Anne Hazard | Advertise with us.

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