In 2024, Duke Energy donated $150,000 for water refilling stations across 25 SC parks. | Photo by GVLtoday
In the aftermath of recent wildfires and in honor of Earth Day, Table Rock State Park announced new upgrades + improvements.
“The park survived the Pinnacle fire in 2015, and now this fire in 2025,” said Director of SC Department of Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Duane Parrish at the unveiling in the park yesterday. “I just think all of that speaks to how important this park is.”
Trail recovery
Duke Energy donated $75,000 for trail recovery. After Hurricane Helene, the park suffered from uprooted trees, mudslides, and littered mountain trails. The funds supported the clean-up that allowed the park to reopen.
The Waymaker will aid accessibility. | Photo by GVLtoday
Increasing access
Duke Energy is also donating a Waymaker Offroad Wheelchair to the park, allowing visitors with mobility needs to enjoy Carrick Creek Falls. Park staff will update the trail + the observation deck to increase access over the next year. Want to rent the Waymaker? The park will provide info soon.
Celebrate Earth Day every day by taking a hike at one of the trails at this resilient park.
Community Day | 9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Flywheel Coworking Greenville | Free | Take a tour, grab some coffee, snack on a light lunch, and work from Flywheel for the rest of the day.
Africa’s Economic Renaissance: Breaking Barriers, Building Futures | 12-1:30 p.m. | Greenville Water Community Room | $0+ | Join Dr. Gugu Selela, a lecturer in the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies at Clemson, for a discussion on Africa’s evolving role in the global economy.
An Evening with Glenis Redmond | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Upcountry History Museum | $12+ | Join the poet and storyteller as she shares selections from her upcoming YA novel-in-verse, “My Life Sounds Like a Poem.”
Behind The Vines | 6:30-8 p.m. | The Community Tap | $65 | Enjoy an intimate evening of wine exploration with Boyd Pearson, the winemaker behind Redolent Wine Company.
Friday, April 25
Ales & Tales | 7:30-9 p.m. | M. Judson Booksellers | Free | Tellers take the mic to share personal stories, true-as-remembered, in six minutes or less with no notes.
Saturday, April 26
The Artist Next Door - Spring Show | Saturday, April 26-Sunday, April 27 | 1-5:30 p.m. | 25 Pinehurst Drive, Greenville | Free | Show your support at this two-day spring show, celebrating 10 years, featuring 25 local artists in Greenville’s North Main neighborhood.*
Saturday, June 28
An Appalachian Summer | Saturday, June 28-Saturday, July 26 | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts, Boone, NC | Appalachian State University’s An Appalachian Summer has events from Saturday, June 28 to Saturday July 26, including performances by Amos Lee, Joan Osborne & Lisa Loeb, and LINES Ballet.*
The SECU DinoLab hosts a team of paleontologists who will be studying the Dueling Dinosaurs for years to come. | Photo courtesy NC Museum of Natural Sciences
It’s not an exaggeration to say there is nothing in the world quite like Dueling Dinosaurs.
The opening of the world’s first open-access paleontology lab, allowing visitors to speak directly with real scientists as they study and learn about this incredible fossil.
Plus, look forward to interactive areas where you can work with tools and technologies used in the lab.
The Green Market and Cafe will temporarily close on Saturday, April 26. All other Feed & Seed Co. operations will stay open. Right now, there’s no timeline for the market’s reopening, but we’ll be sure to keep you posted.
Edu
The Greenville County School system is hosting four public forums to review its special education services. The topics of the meetings are based on results from a parent survey + the meetings will be held later this month and early May. Peep the dates. (Greenville Journal)
Announced
He’s a real Pro-Am. Country artist Cole Swindell is headlining the BMW Charity Pro-Am kickoff concert on June 5 at Fifth Third Park in Spartanburg. Get tickets for “A Night in the Burg.” (Greenville Journal)
Try This
Make GVL Greener just dropped its EarthFest events schedule for this Saturday, April 26. Enjoy a yoga class, a fun run, a pickleball clinic, a bowling clinic, banner painting, a scavenger hunt, and a recycled jewelry tutorial.
Shop
The Travelers Rest Farmers Market Midweek Market kicks off on Wednesday, May 14 at 5 p.m. Be sure to note its new location at the Trailblazer Park Pavilion, grab your shopping bags, and support local.
Number
6,500. That’s how many square feet of space Novatech — an IT and print services provider — leased at Pelham Crossing in Greer. After this lease was signed, the Class A light industrial and flex office park reached its capacity of 95,000 sqft. (Upstate Business Journal)
Travel
Houston, we have liftoff. Southwest now offers daily nonstop flights from GSP International Airport to Houston, Texas (Hobby). Book your trip to the Lone Star State to experience the city’s rich culture, vibrant arts scene, and famous Texan hospitality.*
Featured Deal
Psst — This week, spend $55+ online at Clinique and get a free eight-piece kit with code GIFT. We’re eyeing: a new Almost Lipstick and best-selling mascara.*
Shop
These cannabis gummies keep selling out — just one can get you feeling right within five minutes. Get 20% off with code FIRST20.†*
Correction
Bonus baseball. We told you the Greenville Drive will be in Asheville later this month, but they’ll actually be in Greenville then. If you want to catch the Drive on the road in the mountains, we suggest a Fourth of July trip Friday, July 4-Sunday, July 6.
Category
Festival
The ultimate spring weekend awaits
Presented by Pickens Azalea Festival
This quintessential spring festival is blooming into its 41st year. | Photo provided by the Pickens Azalea Festival
It’s that magical time of year again when the azaleas are in bloom — and Pickens knows how to celebrate.
Consider this your invitation to spend the weekend surrounded by beautiful azaleas, hundreds of local artisans and crafters, food trucks, and more at the Pickens Azalea Festival presented by Feazel Roofing, happening Friday, April 25-Saturday, April 26.
Less than 40 minutes down the road from Greenville, the festivities kick off Friday at 6 p.m. with the annual free cruise-in, featuring classic cars from all eras. The fun continues into Saturday starting at 10 a.m. as local artisans set up in the streets with one-of-a-kind crafts, plus:
Music from South Carolina Entertainment and Music Hall of Fame Artists
Amusement rides for all ages
A full day of fun competition (read: a pie baking contest, husband-calling contest, pet pageant + more)
Bonus: Enjoy food trucks and live music on both nights.
A 100% leak-proof tumbler. The Hydracy Soulmate boasts a sleek design (read: it’s cup holder-friendly), three layers of insulation to keep your drink cold for 24 hours, and is dishwasher safe.
I really enjoyed my drive up to Table Rock State Park, and I encourage you to see the progress it’s made since the wildfires for yourself. It’s pretty amazing.
}})
