Spring Fling kicks off today. Criterium bike race, road closures, parking info to know

Joanna Johnson, Spartanburg Herald-Journal
Updated ·4 min read
Julia Jones, with Emeralds Artistry Entertainment out of Columbia, uses a stencil to airbrush a design on Lizeth Perez, 10, in downtown Spartanburg during the Spring Fling festival on Saturday, April 29, 2023.
Julia Jones, with Emeralds Artistry Entertainment out of Columbia, uses a stencil to airbrush a design on Lizeth Perez, 10, in downtown Spartanburg during the Spring Fling festival on Saturday, April 29, 2023.

Spartanburg's annual street festival is making a comeback this year. Celebrate Spring Fling in downtown Spartanburg with enough family fun to entertain you throughout the weekend.

When is Spring Fling?

Spring Fling is on April 26-28 and is a free event. Here are the hours the festival will operate:

  • Friday, 5-10 p.m.

  • Saturday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m.

  • Sunday, 12-6 p.m.

Spring Fling has been a Spartanburg fixture since 1978 and welcomes about 100,000 visitors each year.

Christopher George, communications manager for the city, said there is something fun for everyone to enjoy this year.

"We can't wait to celebrate Spring Fling with folks again this year," George said. "There's always something for everyone at the festival, and we think folks will really enjoy the new attractions our team has planned."

Spring Fling volunteer: Meet Gail Moss Carson: Spartanburg's Spring Fling volunteer extraordinaire since 2005

Where is Spring Fling located?

The festival will take place on Church Street and run to Daniel Morgan Avenue in downtown Spartanburg. The Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System Criterium is kicking off Spring Fling with the annual bike race.

People fill the streets of downtown Spartanburg during the Spring Fling festival on Saturday, April 29, 2023.
People fill the streets of downtown Spartanburg during the Spring Fling festival on Saturday, April 29, 2023.

Explore the many booths and attractions of Spring Fling. Check out attractions, including live entertainment, a food court, craft beer markets, family fun zones with activities, a car show, and more.

One of the newest events at Spring Fling is the Jeep Show, hosted on Sunday, April 28. Enter your dressed-up Jeep or walk around and admire the others. Don't forget to bring your rubber ducks to pass out to your favorite entries.

The Crit cyclist: 850 cyclists to compete in The Crit in downtown Spartanburg. Meet one of the athletes

Crit Bike race details

The Crit Bike Race begins at 3:15 p.m., throughout downtown Spartanburg. The Crit consists of six bike races - four amateur and two professional.

The first Crit Bike Race was hosted in 2005 with one tent of sponsors and tailgaters. The Crit will have up to 850 cyclists and 112 tents this year. In 2023, Spartanburg welcomed cyclists representing 15 countries.

The last race begins at 8:05 p.m., and all cyclists will race through the loop of Main and Broad streets.

Spring Fling entertainment lineup

Expect to dance all weekend with Spring Fling's packed lineup, which includes live music, DJs, and other entertainment. Over 20 performers will perform on the Broad Street and Spring Street stages.

Spring Street Stage, Saturday

  • 11-11:15 a.m., Palmetto En Pointe                               

  • 11:30-11:45 a.m., Traditional West African Dance

  • 12-12:15 p.m., Pine Street Pantherettes

  • 12:30-12:45 p.m., AVK Dance Group

  • 1-1:15 p.m., Arts in Motion

  • 1:20- 1:50 p.m., DJ JJ Solomon

  • 2- 4 p.m., Upstate Artists Showcase

  • 4-5 p.m., Mr. Charles Line Dancing

  • 5:30-6:30 p.m., Shades of Brown

  • 7- 9 p.m., Queens Court

Broad Street Stage, Saturday

  • 11 a.m. - 12 p.m., Patricio Lopez

  • 1-2 p.m., United Sound Entertainment

  • 3- 5 p.m., Maggie Baugh

  • 6:30- 8:30 p.m., Departure - The Journey Tribute Band

Spring Street Stage, Sunday

  • 12- 1 p.m., Spartanburg High School Jazz Ensemble

  • 1- 3 p.m., The Block Party with QL

  • 3-3:15 p.m., Sisters & Brothers in Motion

  • 4- 6 p.m., The Full Effect Band

Broad Street Stage, Sunday

  • 12- 2 p.m., Rock and Roll Reunion                     

  • 4- 6 p.m., Piedmont Boys

Road closures and parking

Road closures will begin Wednesday and will continue through 11 p.m. Sunday. Here are the specifics:

Closed 11 p.m. Wednesday until 9 p.m. Saturday:

  • East Broad Street, from Church to Converse. streets.

  • Liberty Street, from Kennedy Garage to Dunbar Street.

  • East Main Street, from Church to Converse streets.

Closed 11 p.m. Thursday until 1 a.m. Saturday:

  • Church Street, from Kennedy to St. John; cars will be allowed to exit to St. John from Dunbar/Commerce.

  • Converse Street, from Kennedy to Dunbar.

Closed 11 p.m., Thursday until 11 p.m. Sunday

  • West Main Street, from Church to Daniel Morgan.

  • West Broad Street, from Church to Daniel Morgan.

  • Dunbar Street, from Church to Magnolia streets.

  • Magnolia Street, from Magnolia Garage to West Main.

  • Spring Street, from Kennedy to Ezell.

Free downtown garage parking all three days of the festival.

  • Dunbar Street Garage, 150 Dunbar St., 650 available spaces.

  • Kennedy Street Garage, E Kennedy St., 750 available spaces.

  • Magnolia Street Garage, 100 N Church St., 554 available spaces.

  • St. John Street Garage, E St John St., 750 available spaces.

Joanna Johnson covers community news and education for the Herald-Journal. Reach her via email at jjohnson@shj.com.

This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: Crit kicks off Spring Fling: What to know about annual street festival