“The small child in the picture was our oldest son, born in 1982 after the first festival.” | Photo by April Long
Remember when skies were dotted with hot air balloons at Freedom Weekend Aloft? Launched in 1982, the festival became one of the nation’s biggest balloon events before shutting down in 2014.
From family memories to emergency landings, your stories reminded us just how legendary it was.
A founding family
“My father, Doug Smith, was one of the organizers, and it was his idea to bring this to the Upstate,” GVLtoday reader April L. tells us. “He had been to the balloon festival in Albuquerque, and thought, ‘Why not Greenville?’”
That’s one whopping Whopper. | Photo by April Long
Emergency landing
“A balloon had to make an emergency landing and saw that we had enough of a clearing, so they landed in our front yard,” reader Lauren P. remembered from the early 1990s. “Everyone was okay, thankfully, and they taught me all about how the balloon worked. They even staked it to the ground to let my parents and me take a ‘ride’ in it. I felt like a celebrity in our own yard!”
July 4th Weekend | Friday, July 4-Sunday, July 6 | Times vary | Gather GVL | Free entry | Listen to live music, watch fireworks, and enjoy pop-up festivities through the weekend.
“Meat Sweats” Cookout | 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m. | Fireforge Crafted Beer | Free entry | Indulge in barbecue and the fixins, enjoy live music from Big Radio, and sip on Pool Honeys Peach Milkshake IPA, with proceeds benefiting Project Host.
Saturday, July 5
The Weirdo Arts & Community Flea Market | 11 a.m.-4 p.m. | Poe West | Free entry | Kick off the 2025 season of this market at its new home with 50+ eclectic vendors, live music, local eats, and all the quirky, creative vibes you can handle.
Sunday, July 6
Greer Farmers Market Summer Sundays | 11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Greer City Park, Greer | Free entry | Shop makers and bakers while you groove to live music and snack from a food truck.
Monday, July 7
Radio Soul! | 7:30 p.m. | Peace Center | $94+ | Elvis Costello & The Imposters are joined by Charlie Sexton for an unforgettable evening of musical storytelling.
Tuesday, July 8
Life of Pi | Tuesday, July 8-Sunday, July 13 | Times vary | Peace Center | $55+ | Based on the best-selling novel of the same name, this Broadway show tells the story of Pi Patel, a young man stranded on a lifeboat with a Bengal tiger after a shipwreck.
Duke Energy Carolinas wants to raise base rates, adding ~$10 a month for typical residential customers starting March 2026. The proposed hike still needs state approval.
Try This
Heads up — First Fridays returns next Friday, July 11 (not tonight). During this self-guided art stroll, explore fresh exhibitions, meet local artists, and soak in the summer energy with every stop. Plan your artsy evening.*
Announced
“Whose Live Anyway?” — the live version of “Whose Line is it Anyway?” — is bringing its quick-witted improv to Greenville on Nov. 13 at Furman University’s McAlister Auditorium. Tickets are on sale now.
Plan Ahead
SC’s Tax-Free Weekend returns Friday, Aug. 1 through Sunday, Aug. 3. Shoppers can skip the 6% state sales tax + other applicable taxes on school essentials, clothes, bedding, computers, and more. Before you shop in-store and online, check what’s tax-free + what isn’t. Pro tip: Scroll to page 8.
Number
450+. That’s how many cyclists will brave the summer heat for the 17th annual Ride to End ALZ South Carolina, from Friday, July 11 to Sunday, July 13. The 257-mile ride from Simpsonville to Charleston aims to raise $1.5 million for Alzheimer’s research + support. (Greenville Journal)
Answered
“No. What is wrong with you?” That’s how 57% of you responded to our Asked, “Is a hot dog a sandwich?” For the 38% of you who say it is, here’s our list of sandwich spots.
Outdoors
Going camping soon? Hipcamp allows you to browse campsites by location, date, and even party size. It looks like Serenity on the Saluda in Honea Path has availability this weekend.
Category
Post of the Day
Happy Independence Day, Greenville. While most community fireworks lit up the sky last night, there are still plenty of ways to enjoy the long weekend:
Coco & Eve’s award-winning hair mask. It’s formulated with clean ingredients like coconut, fig, and shea butter to provide instant frizz reduction and maximum shine.
The fun doesn’t have to end here. After reading the newsletter, head over to our games page. Games refresh with new challenges every day at 6 a.m. from crossword puzzle to Sudoku to themed word search.
If you need a last-minute recipe to wow at your Fourth of July cookout, this Duke’s Mayo pimento cheese pasta salad is a crowd-pleaser. It’s requested every year in our house.
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