Memorial Day weekend: Honoring fallen soldiers, Lee Greenwood, Scottish Games, and more
Memorial Day is a significant American holiday observed on the last Monday of May.
It honors the men and women who died while serving in the United States military.
This year, Memorial Day 2024 will occur on Monday, May 27.
For most Americans, Memorial Day means an extended weekend, maybe a day at the lake, attending festivals and ceremonies, paying respects at veterans cemeteries or memorial services, charity races and hikes, concerts, day parties, and cookouts.
Numerous Memorial Day events will occur in the Upstate to commemorate and honor fallen soldiers.
Here is a list of events people can attend in the Upstate.
Lake Hartwell
The upcoming Memorial Day weekend is expected to attract crowds to Lake Hartwell. With more visitors, the risk of boating accidents rises. The law requires enough life jackets for every person onboard vessels.
Free life jacket lending stations are at most Corp campgrounds.
Officials advise boaters to slow down and notice that boating registrations will be enforced.
Campgrounds are also expected to be crowded.
Ceremony at M.J. 'Dolly' Cooper Veterans Cemetery in Anderson
Visit Dolly Cooper National Cemetery at 140 Inway Drive in Anderson and place U.S. flags at grave markers of fallen soldiers.
Many people visit sites around Memorial Day, including at M.J. Dolly Cooper Veterans Cemetery in Anderson, to honor fallen veterans.
Clemson Memorial Day Weekend Service
The Clemson Corps is hosting a Memorial Day weekend service at Clemson University’s Scroll of Honor Memorial at 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 26, at 206 Sikes Hall in Clemson.
The memorial is on the Clemson campus, across Williamson Road from Memorial Stadium.
Lt. Col. Tom von Kaenel, a retired United States Army officer and United States Military Academy graduate, will be the featured speaker.
Greenville 11th Annual Take Flight 5k and 1-mile race
The 11th Annual Take Flight 5K and one-mile race will occur on Saturday, May 25, at the Community Corridor at GMU, 21 Airport Road Ext.
Participants can register and pick up their bibs at the Runway Cafe hangar from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, May 24.
On Saturday, late registration starts at 7 a.m. The Civil Air Patrol will present the colors and conduct the missing comrade ceremony, honoring fallen veterans at 7:30 a.m.
Musician Stephen Goshorn will play TAPS.
The Military History Center of the Carolinas and the South Carolina National Guard will be in attendance.
Awen Family Band: Memorial Day Live Music Concert in Greenville
The Awen Family Band Memorial Day and Live Music concert will take place at the Community Corridor at GMU, 21 Airport Road Ext., on Monday, May 27, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Awen Family has featured members of Toubab Krewe, Big Something, Reliably Bad, Dr. Bacon, Charlie Hunter, The Kind Thieves, The Fundamentals, Self Help, Tub, Firewater Tent Revival, Custard Pie, Mellow Swells, The Moon Unit, Frute and many other acts.
They specialize in Zydeco, Bluegrass, Afrobeat, Wassalou (West Africa), Old Time, Swing, and Psychedelic Boogie music.
Click here to get tickets.
3rd Annual Palmetto Heroes Hike in Greenville
The third annual Palmetto Heroes Hike will take place on Saturday, May 25, from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Bon Secours Wellness Arena, at 650 N. Academy St.
Participants will run between a 6 or 12-mile hike on the Swamp Rabbit Trail, which includes memorial checkpoints honoring our fallen military and first responders.
The Bon Secours Wellness Arena will also host an after-party.
All proceeds will benefit non-profit organizations like the Wounded and Recovering Fund and Upstate Warrior Solution.
Saluda Lake Landing Memorial Day BBQ
Saluda Lake Landing for a Memorial Day BBQ will be held on Saturday, May 25, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at 605 Motor Boat Club Road.
The barbecue will feature ribs, burgers, other barbecue foods, live music, and drinks like ice-cold beers and cocktails.
Memorial Day weekend party featuring Soul Legit Band
Soul Legit Band will perform at Fireforge Crafted Beer at 311 E. Washington St. in Greenville on Sunday, May 26, 2024, from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m.
The band specializes in soul, funk, and R&B music and delivers high-energy performances that get the crowd dancing and grooving to its beats.
Swanson's Warehouse Party
Swanson Warehouse, located at 12 N. Irvine in Greenville, will host a Memorial Day party featuring Gritty Flyright with special guest Vilai Harrington.
Gritty Flyright is a collection of talented musicians who use Blues, Country, and Soul genres to bring an authentic sound to their music.
Gallabrae Scottish Games
A Great Scot Parade will take place on Main Street in downtown Greenville on Friday, May 24, at 6 p.m.
Greenville Scottish Games will occur at Furman University on Saturday, May 25.
Saturday, May 25th8:30 a.m. – Gates Open9:30 a.m. – Opening Ceremonies on Main Field
10 a.m. – Parade of Tartans on Main Field11 a.m. – Military Salute on the Main Field5 p.m. – Awards Ceremony6 p.m. – World’s Greatest Scottish Happy Hour and Celtic Jam with Albannach, Syr & Eireann’s Call
Heavy Athletics – All day on the Main Field
Piping/Drumming Competitions – All day around Cherrydale Mansion
Border Collie Demonstrations – 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 2:30 p.m.
Celtic Music – Main Stage starting at 10 a.m.
British Car Show – outside Main Gate from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Main Stage Music Schedule:
10 a.m. – Eireann’s Call
Noon – SYR
1:15 p.m. – Albannach
2:15 p.m. – Eireann’s Call
3:30 p.m. – SYR
4:45 p.m. – Albannac
Food Vendors
Cameron’s British Food, St. Andrews Square, The Scottish Cottage BBQ, Latest Craze (hot dogs), Nomadik Few Shaved Ice, The Chuckwagon, The King’s Nuts and Mookie’s Kettle Corn.
Dry Goods Vendors
The Carolina Celt, Cross WoodCraft, The Celtic Exchange, Near & Far Scottish, Crafty Celts, Bochemuehl Jewelers, Celtic Vibe, Charisma art gallery, The Heelan’ Hound, Oz Pottery Guild, County Argyle, The Argyll Collection, La Wren’s Nest, Cape Woolamai Mercantile Co, The Celtic Bag, Blarney Stones, St. Andrew’s Square. Pawky Scottish Tees and Scottish Cottage.
Click here for more information.
Spartanburg Ciclops Cyderi & Brewery Party
Cyclops Cyderi and Brewery, located at 197 E. St John St, will be open on Memorial Day.
The Brewery is bringing out the smoker for a special Memorial Day menu.
The event will feature live music, starting at 2 p.m. with The Wes, Bill, and Rich Show.
The brewery has 30 taps and features Ciclops' creations and other craft beers and ciders from around the country.
Ciclops Cyderi and Brewery customers can choose from various appetizers, main course options, and special dishes.
Memorial Weekend Food Truck Festival and Cook-off
A Memorial Weekend Food Truck Festival and Cook-off will be held at The Lounge at 93 Kensington Drive in Spartanburg on Sunday, May 26, from noon to 6 p.m.
The event will feature food trucks, live entertainment, bounce houses, and inside seating.
Lee Greenwood, 40th Anniversary of God Bless The USA Tour
The 40 Anniversary of the God Bless the USA Tour will be held on Sunday, May 26, from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Pickens County Performing Arts Center at 314 W. Main St.
Lee Greenwood is a country music singer-songwriter and saxophonist.
He has seven No. 1 songs and 25 charting singles.
His country hits include: "It Turns Me Inside Out," "Ring On Her Finger Time On Her Hands," "She's Lying," "I Don't Mind the Thorns If You're The Rose," "Dixie Road," "Somebody's Gonna Love You," "Going, Going, Gone," "You Got A Good Love Comin'," "Fools Gold," and "Mornin' Ride." He has also garnered several crossover hits such as "Touch & Go Crazy," "IOU," and the duet with Barbara Mandrell, "To Me."
Click here to get tickets.
Spartanburg Memorial Day Ceremony
The Spartanburg Memorial Day Ceremony will be held on Monday, May 27, at Duncan Park Amphitheater, 100 Duncan Park Drive, from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This is a free event for the public to honor fallen military heroes.
Town of Duncan Pre-Memorial Day event
The Town of Duncan Pre-Memorial Day event will be held at 153 W. Main St., in Duncan, on Friday, May 24, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
This is a free event that will feature local food trucks and vendors.
Night of Concerts and Commerce
The Liberty City Area Chamber of Commerce will host a night of concerts and commerce on Friday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Commerce Street in downtown Liberty to kick off Memorial Day weekend.
The event will feature the Bearded Envy Band, kid activities, food trucks, and local vendors.
This is a free event for the public.
First Annual Memorial Day Mile Returns
The first annual Memorial Day Mile returns on May 27 from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m.
Registration ends May 27 at 7:30 a.m.
Participants can collect their packs on May 26 from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. in the Kroc Center parking lot on South Hudson Street and on race day from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m. in the starting area.
According to runsignup.com, the first annual Memorial Day Mile aligns with a national movement, afoot to Bring Back the Mile—America's distance (1-2).
The event also recognizes and honors our fallen service members on Memorial Day for their sacrifice in protecting the United States.
Runners will race on a flat course and start in waves based on runners' estimated finish times.
There will be a wave for all speeds, with timing mats at the start and finish.
Awards will be given to the overall top three for females and males and the top three for female and male age groups.
If you have a Memorial Day event that we missed, please email Travis Rose at trose@gannett.com
Travis Rose covers Anderson County for the Independent Mail. Reach him via email at trose@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Anderson Independent Mail: Memorial Day weekend events in Anderson, Spartanburg, and Greenville
