Greenville Greek Festival, Rhythm on the River, things to do around Upstate this weekend
Attendees can enjoy car and truck shows, movies in the park, festivals, dinosaur shows, concerts, kid playdates, comedy shows, and fishing tournaments this weekend.
"AnMed's Rhythm on the River festival is a great excuse for us to personally get outside at Dolly Cooper Park and listen to talented bands, eat from delicious food trucks, indulge in local crafts, and bring our kids out to play," said AnMed's CEO William Kenley. "Community is what it’s about; we cherish being part of this community."
Weather forced the organizers of AnMed's Rhythm on the River to postpone the festival until this weekend.
AnMed Rhythm on the River: AnMed Rhythm on the River in Powdersville postponed: Here's what you need to know
Here is a list of events residents can attend this weekend.
Greenville Greek Festival
The Greenville Greek Festival will occur this weekend, May 17-18, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.
Admission is $3, and all proceeds benefit Live Well Greenville, a coalition working to advance equitable access to healthy eating and active living in Greenville County.
The festival will feature Greek favorites such as Greek pizza, lamb burgers, Greek fries, souvlaki, Greek-style ribs, and baklava sundaes.
Live Greek music will be featured daily, and live entertainment from a local dance troupe will include traditional Greek dances at various times throughout the festival.
There will also be church tours, an iconography exhibit, and a new Plaka area, which features the Taverna, with Greek beer and wine, and a sampling of traditional Greek appetizers or “mezedes” along with local vendors.
Attendees can order from their car via the drive-through or dine in person.
Three combination plates will feature traditional favorites, such as Athenian Chicken, Pastichio, moussaka, and gyros!
Smaller plate options include Greek meatballs (Keftedes) with orzo and stuffed grape leaves (Dolmades).
Attendees can also satisfy their sweet cravings with homemade Greek pastries such as baklava, koulourakia, and kourambiedes.
Movies at Green Patrick Square
On Friday, May 17, attendees can enjoy a free movie screening with complimentary concessions at Green Patrick Square starting at 7 p.m. The park is located at 110 Market St. in Clemson.
The movie "Migration" will be shown. Complimentary pizza slices will be available while supplies last.
"These events are fantastic as they bring together residents and visitors for a fun evening of outdoor activities and movies, allowing children to socialize, play, and enjoy watching a movie together," said Lindsey Watley, Programs and Community Events Manager for the City of Clemson Parks and Recreation.
"As a mother myself, I appreciate the fact that you can come and go as needed without disturbing others' viewing experiences, as you would in a theater. You can pack a blanket or tailgate chair and join us on the green for some good old family fun."
AnMed Rhythm on the River
The third annual AnMed Rhythm on the River event, held at Dolly Cooper Park, 170 Spearman Circle, in Powdersville, returns on May 19 from noon to 8 p.m.
This year's event will feature talented bands, a Kids' Zone, more than 15 food trucks, 30 craft vendors, special prizes and giveaways, face painting, balloon artists, giant games for all ages, golf cart transportation, and a hospitality tent. Admission and parking are free.
"We love this event because we’re community members who are investing resources in health care here in Powdersville and Piedmont, and not just because we get to help bring together talented bands, delicious food trucks, crafts, and fun family games," Kenley said.
"It’s a great excuse for us to personally get outside at Dolly Cooper Park and listen to talented bands, eat from delicious food trucks, indulge in local crafts, and bring our kids out to play," Kenley said. "Community is what it’s about, and we cherish being part of this community.”
10th annual Brax’s Cars for a Cause
The 10th annual Brax's Cars for a Cause will be held on Sunday, May 19, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Anderson Civic Center. This public event features cars, bikes, and trucks. All proceeds will go to Anderson County PAWS.
Attendees can indulge in local cuisine, support local vendors, play with adorable puppies, and listen to live music. The registration fee for vehicles is only $20, and admission is free for all spectators.
Movie nights in Carolina Wren Park returns this Friday
Grab your blankets and chairs; movie night in Carolina Wren Park is back this Friday, May 17, at 8:35 p.m.
The city of Anderson presents this event, where attendees can come and go as needed without disturbing other viewers.
"Super Mario Bros" will kick off the movie series.
National Professional Fishing League tournament
The National Professional Fishing League will compete on Lake Hartwell this week, from Thursday, May 16, through Sunday, May 19.
Anglers weigh-ins at 3 p.m. at Green Pond Landing & Event Center Amphitheater.
Viewers can tune in daily from May 16-18 to watch daily action from Lake Hartwell with Live Coverage here and on the free PHYX TV App beginning on Thursday.
"We've experienced a lot recently—extreme weather, tornadoes, fallen trees, and power lines," said professional fisherman Collin Smith, a Honea Path native. "Our neighboring counties had it worse, but the fish will be biting, and someone will catch them well. I love this time of year; there is so much happening and so many things that 'should' be playing out here. However, it has been tough."
Issaqueena Festival/Music Fest
The 34 annual Six Mile Issaqueena Festival will be held downtown in Six Mile, S.C., on Saturday, May 18, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The festival is located along the historic Cherokee trading path that is now Main Street.
Food vendors and Lower Eastern Cherokee Nation representatives will sell craft items, perform dances, and share ancestral stories.
The festival offers a wide selection of foods from local vendors, free entertainment, and a dedicated area for kids.
Attendees are welcome to bring a blanket or a chair.
Live comedy show at Buzzer
Buzzer Restaurant, located at 116 Magnolia St., is hosting a live comedy show on Friday, May 17, at 7 p.m.
The comedy show will be hosted by Ben Jennings, a stand-up comedian from Greenville, who specializes in observational humor, drawing inspiration from everyday situations and finding humor in them.
The show will star Greenville native Justin Blackburn, a life coach, viral poet, author, and comedian.
Blackburn's comedy style combines witty one-liners with stories about his family, life, and upbringing.
Other featured comedians included Blake Connolly, Jordan Julius, and Brooke Hayhurst.
The Buzzer Restaurant specializes in Mediterranean food and is owned by Hula Ozer.
Jurassic Quest Dinosaur Show
The Jurassic Quest Dinosaur Show will be held on May 17 from noon to 8 p.m., Saturday, May 18, from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Sunday, May 19, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Jurassic Quest is the world’s largest and most popular dinosaur event, offering unique and exciting experiences for the whole family.
Attendees will be able to observe a herd of life-size dinosaurs, including Apatosaurus, Spinosaurus, and Tyrannosaurus rex.
Here are the links to purchase tickets.
Friday: https://www.simpletix.com/e/jurassic-quest-friday-parking-tickets-167991
Saturday: https://www.simpletix.com/e/jurassic-quest-saturday-parking-tickets-167994
Sunday: https://www.simpletix.com/e/jurassic-quest-sunday-parking-tickets-168033
Greenville Malcolm X Festival
The Malcolm X Festival in Greenville will be held on Sunday, May 19, from noon to 7 p.m. at Cleveland Park, Cleveland Park Drive, and East Washington Street.
The festival honors the legacy of African American activist Malcolm X.
The festival features food, live music, dance, martial arts, exhibits, children's activities, art, and merchandise of all kinds.
Greenville Young Entrepreneurs will have tables on-site selling products, displaying items, and sharing information about their businesses, crafts, business ideas, or services.
This is a public event. Click here to get tickets.
Kids Playdates May at Fretwell Spartanburg
This Saturday, May 18, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., kids and their families can enjoy face painting, story time, children's songs, and snowball snacks galore at Fretwell Spartanburg, located at 101 Fretwell St.
Fretwell is a family-friendly gathering spot just a few steps from the Mary Black Rail Trail.
Sugar Shack Snowballs food truck will be on-site selling a variety of snowball treats in different flavors and sizes.
From classic favorites like strawberry and lemon to unique creations like cotton candy and bubblegum.
Play Date Lineup Includes:
Face painting
Story Time with The Children's Museum of the Upstate
Children's songs
This event is free to the public.
Caged Affair at Spartanburg Fretwell
On May 17 from 6-9 p.m., Caged Affair, an original 90s rock band from Asheville, North Carolina, will perform at the Fretwell located at 101 Fretwell St.
The band specializes in performing 90s rock songs and delivers an energetic stage presence. It is led by lead guitarist and vocalist Tyler Kemmerling.
Their most recent single is "Falling into Madness."
Tina and Her Pony at Spartanburg Fretwell
Indie Appalachian Folk Band Tina and Her Pony will perform from 6-9 p.m. on May 18.
The band specializes in creating heartfelt and intimate music that reflects the beauty and struggles of life in the Appalachian region.
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: Greenville Greek Festival, fishing tourney not to miss, what to know
