Five on Friday: the May edition

May in Greenville is possibly the busiest month of the year, with fun summer programs for kids kicking off, farmers markets ramping up with a bounty of spring produce, and a multitude of programs and festivals to start your summer. Here are a few that we’re looking forward to…

1. Artisphere: Greenville’s signature event, this event celebrates fine art, music, food and fun with a weekend of performers, exhibits, artist demos and more. Artisphere runs from May 12^th through Sunday the 14^th. See my post here, and visit the Artisphere website here.

2. The Duck Derby: Thousands of rubber ducks will be going over the falls in downtown Greenville this weekend during the Rotary Club’s annual fundraiser. With a game area for the kids, music from groups like My Girl My Whisky and Me, and a grand prize of free groceries for a year, this 13^th annual derby is bound to be a quacking success. The event runs from 10am to 4pm tomorrow (May 6th, 2017), but post time is 2:30pm!! Read more – Reedy River Duck Derby, or visit the official Duck Race website. 

3. The Greenville Greek festival returns this year from the 18^th through the 21^st at Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral downtown. Four days of delicious Greek food including gyros, saganaki and homemade pastries, kids’ rides, a stage featuring folk dancing and other acts, and tours of the Cathedral. Admission is $1, free for kids 12 and under. See my post A little bit of Greece in the Upstate and check out the main website Greek for a Day.

4. The first TD Saturday Market of the season in downtown Greenville is tomorrow! Head out to pick up fresh veggies from local farms, or just to people watch and enjoy a beautiful morning on Main Street. When we are headed up to the mountains for some hiking we’ll stop at Travelers Rest for their Saturday market, which also starts tomorrow. If you can’t make it out on Saturdays, try the Slow Food Earth Market at the Swamp Rabbit Cafe & Grocery on first and third Thursdays from 3:30-7pm or the Taylors Farmers Market from 4-8pm at Taylors Mill.

5. Park Hop: The free, summer long scavenger hunt in parks across Greenville County opens May 19^th. Kids can earn prizes just by visiting parks! For more info, visit the LiveWell Greenville website and read my post on Park Hop here.

And a bonus (not in May, but close enough)... Butterfly Adventure: The fantastic live butterfly exhibit returns to Roper Mountain Science Center on June 1^st! Walk through the butterfly adventure habitat for an up-close encounter with hundreds of butterflies in this special exhibit that runs through July 7^th. Members get in free, and while you’re there, check out the treehouses and the Living History Farm for a fun-filled, educational day in Greenville. Read my review on butterfly adventure here...

If you're looking to get out of town, remember to check out my post on 7 Natural Wonders to visit this spring in Upstate SC for some of the most interesting spots in our area to visit this spring... Wishing y’all a great weekend here in the Upstate!