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Spring Water Festival to feature old and new attractions

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The 41st Annual Spring Water Festival will be held August 26 and 27 in Williamston’s Mineral Spring Park.

New this year will be will be axe throwing. Blade and Bull Mobile Axe Throwing will bring a 25 feet long, 8 feet wide trailer for willing participants looking for an exciting activity. The object is to throw a small axe (hatchet) down a designated lane into a wooden target. Points are scored based on sticking the axe into painted rings on a target board. Come compete with your friends.

501st Legion Canceled – Also appearing at the festival will be characters from The 501st Legion, an international costuming organization dedicated to celebrating STAR WARS™ through the creation and use of quality costumes that portray the villainous, morally ambiguous, or non-partisan characters from the STAR WARS™ universe.

Local artist Thomas Addison will display drawings and an oil painting of his interpretation of a mythical creature called a “Williamston Naiad”. In classical mythology, a Naiad is a water nymph or fairy, said to inhabit a river, spring, or waterfall. Inspiration came from Lander College, which had its beginnings in Williamston as the Williamston Female College and named their yearbook “Naiad” as a tribute to the college’s early days (in Williamston) and being located near the historic mineral spring. A real Naiad (character) is expected and there will be a fun activity for kids to look for Naiad fairys in the park on festival day.
Bob Seymore of Atlanta will bring the fantastic world of STATUARY back to Spring Water Festival depicting the character of West Allen Williams. Seymore will have a story board with history about the town.

The festival will kick off at 6 p.m. Friday evening with live beach music featuring the Carolina Coast Band and blues rock with the Blue Sky Band.

There will be festival food, amusement rides and craft vendors with handmade items for sale.

ABC Party Rentals and Amusements will be selling $20 wrist bands for unlimited rides from 6 to 10 pm. Tickets on Saturday will be $1 each.

The 5K Spring Water Run is returning on Saturday morning. Advance registration deadline has passed, however runners can still register on the day of the race.
Registration fee is $35 and includes a race shirt (limited supply on day of race), bib, and timing chip. Packet Pickup and registration begins at 6:30 am on race day in the parking lot beside McDonald’s in downtown Williamston.
The 5K open race will begin at 7:30 a.m. The race will be timed and the overall top three male and female winners will receive prizes.

On Saturday, festival activities will begin with Opening Ceremony at 9:15 a.m. Music lovers are invited to bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy a day of music and other activities.

This year’s festival will feature a variety of music including Beach, Americana, Bluegrass, Country, Blues Rock and Gospel.

The Amphitheater Stage will feature country and bluegrass beginning at 9 a.m. with Kendall Lanford, followed by Crawford-Colt at 11 a.m., Angela Easterling and the Beguilers at 1 p.m., and headliner Kristi Stanley at 3 p.m.

Kristi is making a name for herself in the bluegrass music world and is releasing a new album. Several years ago, at the age of 18, she was asked by Dr. Ralph Stanley, to be a part of the Grammy-nominated album “Clinch Mountain Sweethearts”. She joined not only her hero, Dolly Parton, but other stars including Pam Tillis, Sara Evans, and Chely Wright on the project. Kristi sang “I’ll Never Grow Tired of You” with the bluegrass legend himself.

The Gospel Stage, will feature The Maples, New Beginnings, Living Truth, All for Him, Jennifer Phillips, Catlin Tierce, Trevor Thomas, New Day, Talya Starrett, Singing Tornadoes, The Other Side and Revealed.

The Spring Water Festival Car Show, organized by the Williamston Fire Department and will feature more than 100 vehicles. There will also be rides on the restored 1936 fire truck.
Alive Wesleyan Church and Guthrie Grove Church of Abrahamic Faith will offer free kids games and activities.

Sponsors for the 2022 Spring Water Festival include the Town of Williamston, Cristina Ortiz State Farm Agency, Clinkscales Chevrolet, and The Journal.

The Spring Water Festival was organized in 1981 as a funding source for the town’s winter holiday attraction, the Christmas Park in December. The Spring Water Festival is held in Mineral Spring Park, State Highway 20, downtown Williamston.

Parking and admission is free. Additional information and entertainment schedules are available at www.springwaterfestival.com.

Free Childrens Activities at Spring Water Festival

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Alive Wesleyan Church offers free kids activities/fun

Alive Wesleyan Church will bring their team to the Spring Water Festival providing lots of exciting (and free) activities for children. They will be set up in the center of the park with a foam pit and games!
AliveWesleyan Church exists to reach spiritually hungry people and introduce them to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ and an active role in the Christian community.
We love God, love people, and would love for you to join us.
AliveWesleyan had three locations, 136 Chastain Rd., in Central, 13701 Hwy. 20 Cheddar (Belton) and 2 Wesleyan Dr., in Pelzer. Find out more at www.alivewesleyan.com

Guthrie Grove Church offers Children’s Games
The Guthrie Grove Church will again sponsor the Fishing Pond Game for children at the Spring Water Festival. This free activity allows children the opportunity to try their luck in our kids ponds filled with rubber ducks and friendly fish. They will be located beside the Long Shelter in the center of the park. Come by and enjoy the fun!

2022 Spring Water Festival Craft Vendors

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Elyssa Maddox – Jill of All Trades (Williamston) –
Custom Tumbler, Resin Art
Chase Maddox – Maddog’s BBQ Co (Williamston) –
BBQ Sauces and Rubs
Alma Crawford – Craft Needles and Threads (Pendleton) –
Bears, Pocketbooks, Jewelry, Dish Cloths, etc
Noel Martin Noel’s Crafts N Creations (Williamston) –
Earrings, Bracelets, car hangers, keychains, t-shirts, etc
Carrie Moon CTM Designs (Williamston) –
tumblers and tshirts
Tammy McClure – Rylee Woods Designs (Inman)
Beaded jewelry, clay earrings, totes, keychains, necklaces, etc
Renee Bailey (Hodges) –
Skillet handles, wood design,tumblers, hand towels, etc
Emily Johnson – South Carolina Chic (Greer) –
tshirts, earrings, bookmarks, tea towels, games etc
Danielle Beecher – DRK Creations (Pelzer) –
Ceramics, tees, tumblers, crochet animals
John & Sarah Collins – Modern Forestry Events (Easley) –
100% Pure Soy Candles
Kimberly Baldwin – K&KCrafts (Ware Shoals) –
Tumblers, signs, bibs, towels, car tags, etc
Brandee Lewis (Williamston) – quilts, aprons, napkins, pillowcases, etc
Mark Jones – Getcha Tye Dye On (Inman) –
Tye Dye apparel
Johnny Greene (Easley) – abstract photos
Cynthia Cox – CC’s Intuitive Creations (Easley) –
wreaths, decorated rounds, seasonal decor
Lillian Ballentine (Pendleton) –
quilts, pillowcases, table toppers, adult bibs, etc
Juan Velasquez – Angelina Latina’s Designs (Taylors) –
loomed bracelets, ethnic jewelry
Madison Lurrie – Fresh Sniffs (Greenville) –
freshies….car fresheners
Patty Walker – Patty Pours Paint (Anderson) –
applied poured paint canvas
Cierra Hutton – Earring Meadows (Belton) –
artisan earrings, necklaces, pendants.
Ann Hadden (Greenwood) –
wooden scarecrows, pumpkins, wreaths, flower arrangements, etc.
Cindi Whitten – Car Bags by Cindi (Belton) –
cloth car bags
Beverly Sutton (Easley) –
wreaths, microwave and kitchen items
Ana Nyeholt – Wick and Spice (Greenville) –
hand poured soy candles
Linda Poock – Lighthouse Crystal Jewelry (Williamston) –
handcrafted jewelry
Michael Harrison – Color Me Happy Face Painting (Tocca GA) –
face painting, hair color
Andy Addison – WAA Woodworks (Pelzer) –
wood flags decor
Shannon Tapp – Tapp’ Out Cannin (Greenville) –
chow chow, jam, jelly, BBQ sauce, etc
Doug Bullock – The Farm at Tumbling Shoals (Gray Court) –
Bourbon Barrel rings, spheres, cutting boards, etc
Vicki Vehorn – Mimi’s Home Made Soap (Anderson) –
homemade soap, body butter
Pegg Richey (Anderson) –
baby blankets, fabric crafts, seasonal decor, etc
Jennifer Craft (Elberton, GA) –
crystal jewelry, leather earrings, beadwork, etc
Dawn White (Bowman) –
dreamcatchers, jewelry, tumbled stones & crystals
Brittany Wallace – A Little Sheepy (Surf City, NC) –
crochet childrens items seasonal gifts
Kevin Jones – Splintered Raven Wood Designs (Anderson) –
wooden art, boxes, decor

Spring Water Run on Saturday Aug. 27

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The 5K Spring Water Run is back. The run will be held on Saturday, Aug. 27. Advance registration deadline has passed, however runners can still register on the day of the race.
The race will be timed and the overall top three male and female winners will receive prizes.
The course includes city streets and country roads with rolling hills. Food and drink will be provided for runners. The Williamston Police Department will secure all major intersections and paramedics will be on site.
The 5K open race will begin at 7:30 a.m. Registration fee is $35 and includes a race shirt, bib, and timing chip. Advance registration deadline to receive a shirt is August 11.
Packet Pickup and registration begins at 6:30 am on race day in the parking lot beside McDonald’s in downtown Williamston.
All proceeds from the Spring Water Run go towards renovations for Mineral Spring Park.
Additional information including registration is available online at www.springwaterfestival.com and or email: Kellylanemoon@gmail.com

Williamston Fire Department Sponsors Auto Show

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A tremendous display of antique and classic autos and trucks will surely delight enthusiasts during the 41st Annual Spring Water Festival. The show is being held at the Williamston Fire Dept. and on West Main St. in front of the park. It is being sponsored by Clinkscales Chevrolet in Belton and the Williamston Fire Department.
Organizer Williamston Fire Chief David Huff said he is expecting more than 100 antique autos, street rods, customs, trucks and other special vehicles to be on display.
The show will feature the town’s 1936 Chevrolet Fire Engine. Vehicles from outside the local area are also expected.
This year there will be a $500 Cash Give-a-Way to registered entries, $100 each hour. Registration will be $20 with awards to the top 25, plus six specialty awards. Owners may register their vehicles between 8 a.m. and noon on festival day.
Persons interested in displaying a customized vehicle, antique or tractor in the show can register on festival day.
Specialty awards include Best Original, Best GM, Best Ford, Best Truck, Best Street Rod, Best Rat Rod, Mayor’s Choice, and The Will Drake Memorial Award. Trophies are a special design. A new award, the Steve Ellison Memorial Award was added in 2021.
The fire department will also offer $1 rides on the restored 1936 Chevrolet fire engine.

Planning underway for 41st Annual Spring Water Festival

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Organizers of the 41st Annual Spring Water Festival are in the process of planning for the two day festival, August 26 & 27, 2022. Hours for the festival this year will be 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday. The year’s festival will feature several new attractions which will be announced soon, said Festival Chairman David Meade.

Organizers are looking for local gospel groups interested in performing on the Gospel Stage during the festival on Saturday, August 27. If interested call Catlin Tierce at 864-318-5993.
The festival will feature free kids activities, amusement rides, more than 50 vendors, antique and classic auto show, fire truck rides, festival food, live music and other special attractions.
The 5K Spring Water Run is also returning, Meade said. Details and registration forms will be available soon.

Organizers are currently accepting vendor, display and car show applications for the festival.
Any local craft vendor interested in participating in the event can pick up an application and guidelines at The Journal office or online at the Spring Water Festival website at www.springwaterfestival.com.

For more information on crafts contact Joy Zapada by email at swfvendor@gmail.com
Local businesses, and non-profits are also invited to have a display to promote their business at the festival.

Business displays should contact Dianne Lollis at 864-847-5743 or by email at missetta68@gmail.com.

The festival will again feature one of the Upstate’s largest antique and classic auto shows, being sponsored by the Williamston Fire Department. To register contact David Huff at 864-625-1281 or email wfdchief@williamstonsc.us. Also online at www.williamstonfire.com. There will be awards in a number of categories.

Additional information will be announced soon.
Check for updates on the festival at www.springwaterfestival.com

Spring Water Festival August 26 & 27, 2022

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The 41st Annual Spring Water Festival will be held Friday and Saturday,
August 26 & 27, 2022 in Mineral Spring Park in Williamston SC

The two day festival will feature free kids activities, amusement rides, more than 50 vendors, antique and classic auto show, live music and other special attractions.

The festival will feature a variety of performers on the Park’s Center Stage and the Amphitheater Stage.

Organizers are in the process of making plans for the festival and will be posting 2022 application forms for Craft Vendors and Business Vendors on our website soon!

More Announcements will be coming soon!

The Spring Water Festival Features:

Arts & Crafts  Live Music  Gospel Music Showcase
Free Children’s Activities  Amusement Rides
Antique Car Show   Festival Food  Exhibits Souvenirs   
50 plus Crafters – 50 plus Display Vendors – 10 Food Vendors
Live Music on 2 stages
125 + Car Show entries – Antique Fire Truck exhibit – Fire Truck Rides

FREE ADMISSION – FREE PARKING

2022 SWF Applications

Craft Vendor Application
Craft Vendor Guidelines 
Business and Non-Profit Application
Business and Non-Profit Guidelines

 

Festival Sponsors

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In addition to the Town of Williamston, sponsors for the 2021 Spring Water Festival include Clinkscales Chevrolet, Golden Grove Farm and Brew and The Journal. Golden Grove Farm and Brew is located 115 Krim Rd., in Piedmont. Visit their website to find out what is being served from an ever-rotating tap selection and fresh food menu. They also offer live entertainment. https://farm&brew.com or call (864) 356-1097. Hours are Monday – Thursday: 5pm – 10pm; Friday; 3pm – 10pm and Saturday: 12pm – 10pm
Clinkscales Chevrolet is located at 6301 Us 76 in Belton.

SWF T-shirt design by Thomas Addison

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The 2021 Spring Water Festival T-Shirt features the Town’s Historic 1936 Fire Truck along with the Spring House Gazebo and Mineral Spring Park sign. The design is by local artist Thomas Addison who has donated time and talent to the festival through the years. The shirt is also dedicated to the memory of Williamston Fire Chief Steve Ellison who passed away earlier this year. Other souvenirs available this year included a limited number of Spring Water Festival ballcaps and other items. Souvenirs will be available at the Spring Water Festival souvenir tent in the craft area of the festival. A limited supply of previous festival T-shirts will be available at special prices. Don’t leave the festival without your Spring Water Festival souvenir.