Highlights

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  All Aboard! » | June 2011

  An old-fashioned steam-engine train ride on a crisp fall day is the perfect family outing. The South Carolina Railroad Museum near Winnsboro is offering just that opportunity as it celebrates Steam Train Days on the weekends of Oct. 16–17 and Oct. 23–24.
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  Penn Center Heritage Days » | June 2011

  Penn Center on St. Helena Island was one of the first schools for freed slaves, and is now considered one of the nation’s most significant African- American historical institutions.
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  Florence Pecan Festival » | June 2011

  Just how big a deal is the annual Pecan Festival? More than 50,000 people are expected to flood downtown Florence to enjoy cook-offs, live entertainment on seven stages and special events for the kids.
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  Western Carolina State Fair » | June 2011

  Up-and-coming country band Gloriana will perform on the opening night of Aiken’s biggest fall festival. New this year: daily Sea Lion Splash shows.
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  Celebrate Oktoberfest » | June 2011

  Oktoberfest, the traditional German harvest party, has become a U.S. fall favorite, too, and South Carolinians have multiple choices for authentic German food, music and fun, starting with the ninth annual Newberry Oktoberfest on Saturday, Oct. 2.
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  Holiday Lights on the River » | June 2011

  Holiday Lights on the River is a Midlands tradition, and this year it runs from Nov. 24 to Dec. 31 at Saluda Shoals Park. In addition to the two-mile driving loop through spectacular lighting displays, visitors can explore the Wetlands Wonderland walking area.
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  Plantation Christmas Celebrations » | June 2011

  See how Christmas was celebrated in antebellum South Carolina, courtesy of holiday programs at three of the state’s restored plantation homes. Re-enactors will stage holiday scenes at the Ashtabula Plantation.
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  Chitlin’ Strut » | June 2011

  Chitlin’ Strut You say chitterlings, I say chitlins. Either way, they’re fried pig intestines, and in the Aiken County town of Salley, about 25,000 folks gather each year to shake off the leftover turkey blahs by chowing down on 10,000 pounds of them.
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  Antique Tractor and Engine Show » | June 2011

  Chug into the holidays with the down-home fun of the ninth-annual Berkeley County Museum and Heritage Center’s Antique Tractor and Engine Show.
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  An a-MAZE-ing Time » | June 2011

  It may seem corny, but taking the gang for a hike through a corn maze is a very cool thing to do in the fall. That’s why they’re so popular, including the one shown here at James Family Farms just off U.S. 501 in Conway.