Wedding & Event Venue Near Spartanburg, SC.

Looking for a place to cool off in Spartanburg, SC? Once it gets to be summer in Spartanburg, it’s time to find the nearest place to cool off.

That’s why we have created this list of splash pads that are in Spartanburg, plus a few bonus spots to head to this summer.

Splash Pads in Spartanburg, SC

Splash pads are usually open from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Please confirm they are in working order before heading out, as splash pads are high maintenance features.

Stewart Park

453 Beacon Street, SpartanburgOpen Memorial Day-Labor Day (9 am – 7 pm)This park not only includes a splash pad, but also has two outdoor basketball courts, a walking trail, a covered picnic area, a walking trail, and a playground.

Barnet Park

248 East Saint John Street, SpartanburgOpen Memorial Day-Labor Day (9 am – 7 pm)Located in the heart of downtown Spartanburg, this park with a splash pad is an ideal location for grabbing a bite to eat or playing a round of free mini-golf while you’re in Downtown Spartanburg.

195 Dillard Road, DuncanOpen Memorial Day-Labor Day This massive park boasts several play structures, ball fields, tennis courts, and disc golf- this list keeps going! The important piece of information you need to know for this summer: they have a splash pad! Be sure to bring plenty of sunscreen, as the splash pad is not in a shaded area.

McKinney Park

231 E. Hayne Street, WoodruffOpen Memorial Day-Labor DayThis is another great park to check out that has a splash pad. Covered picnic areas, a playground, and ball fields make for a fun day out in the sun, with the benefit of water play!

500 Ammons Road, SpartanburgOpen Memorial Day-Labor Day (9 am – )This park is aviation-themed, making it even more fun. It includes a walking trail, athletic fields, a playground, a picnic area, and a splash pad! Be sure to read a local mom’s review of this great park!

Water Parks in Spartanburg

Shipwreck Cove

119 S. Spencer Street, Duncan Opening for the season Memorial Day Weekend 2022!Shipwreck Cove is a great place to cool off and have fun this summer. A water slide, a huge pool, a lazy river, and a splash pad area for the little ones make up this fun water park. Park hours and admission prices can be found on their website.

More Places to Swim and Splash in Upstate, SC

Check out the Guide To Places For Splashing Around in Greenville, SC for more summer fun.

Looking for the best things to do this summer in Greenville, SC? From family-friendly bike trails and scavenger hunts to summer celebrations, the upstate has it all! As the weather warms and the days grow longer, finding fun activities to keep your kids entertained is on every parent’s mind. Luckily, there are always exciting outdoor adventures and engaging indoor activities offered in Greenville that span the entire summer. So get out and explore Greenville while making beautiful memories with your family!

Greenville’s top summer activities list has been translated to Spanish by Ghisela L Eljach, Editor in Chief of InSouth Magazine.

¡No se pierda estas 5 mejores actividades de verano para hacer en Greenville, Carolina del Sur!

Fun Activities Outside During Summer in Greenville

Park Hop is a unique scavenger hunt that allows you to explore the parks throughout Greenville and Spartanburg counties while your children look for clues. Parents must register through the Park Hop website to document their child’s clue collection.

Registration opens on April 15th, 2022, and the scavenger hunt launches with the app on May 13th. Families have until September to submit their clues for their children to win some awesome prizes!

Grabbing a bicycle and exploring the paved paths and trails has never been easier! Dozens of family-friendly paved paths are scattered throughout the upstate, including the 22-mile Swamp Rabbit Trail. Some parks also offer off-road biking trails for adrenaline seekers.

Don’t have a bike of your own? Several bike shops offer rentals, so grab a helmet and catch some wind in your hair as you bike those summer days away around the upstate.

Beat the Summer Heat with These Indoor Activities

Strap on those bowling shoes and visit the upstate bowling alleys that offer Kids Bowl Free this summer! This nationwide program allows your children to bowl for free, typically Monday-Friday.

Sparetime Entertainment in Greenville, Paradise Lanes & FEC in Spartanburg, Oconee Lanes in Seneca, and The Big E in Gaffney are offering the program from May through September 2022. Parents must pre-register their children for the days they would like to attend. Adults can purchase The Family Pass to bowl along with them. Registration is open now!

Summer reading programs are offered throughout the upstate to help kids continue their education in a creative and fun way. Library systems in upstate counties offer programs, as well as companies such as Pizza Hut and Scholastics!

Children of all ages can participate, and earn prizes for reading books (audiobooks count!). Parents can help them by tracking books read with a summer reading log or through apps and website submissions. There is nothing better than getting cozy with your kids and reading, especially when prizes are involved!

Kicking Off Summer with Memorial Day Festivities

Memorial Day weekend marks the beginning of summer for many, and there is a multitude of celebrations and season openings to help usher in the summertime!

The 4th of July is the pinnacle of summer! The magic of the upstate is elevated by backyard BBQs, live music, sunflowers in bloom, and fireworks lighting up the night sky. Our Ultimate Guide for Things to Do in July offers something special for everyone, including baseball games with the Greenville Drive and mesmerizing 4th of July firework displays throughout the upstate. Join the Independence Day festivities with good friends, delicious food, and live music this summer!

This post has been translated to Spanish by Ghisela L Eljach, Editor in Chief of InSouth Magazine.

About InSouth Magazine and Ghisela Elijach

It takes determination, consistency and resilience to be a business owner willing to find the need in communities and businesses, yet bridge the gap by being a hub of resources that people need. Having a strong entrepreneurial spirit and a great social awareness makes a difference, especially when understanding the importance of the Latin American culture contribution from a local, regional, and national standpoint.

In 2015, Ghisela Eljach founded InSouth Magazine as a means of communication (printed and digital) with the purpose of reaching the Hispanic population residing and merging in South Carolina.

This publication informs, entertains, and dignifies an underserved community that has so much to give. Additionally, this publication aims to connect both English and Spanish networks providing a means to connect to a new lifestyle, culture and language. Understanding the importance of integration, InSouth strives to value every person in their collective uniqueness in South Carolina, and it takes pride in being the Magazine of Latinos in the Upstate.

Pick up your copy of InSouth Magazine

InSouth Magazine distributes copies at businesses all over the Upstate, including:

What is on the top of your summer fun to-do list?

SPARTANBURG COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) – A man who was reported missing has been found dead in Spartanburg County.

Officials said 29-year-old Franklin Hines, also known as Solo, was found near Cross Anchor Road in Woodruff.

7NEWS spoke with loved ones who said they’re still in shock.

“I love my dad a lot and I miss him so much,” said Shamarion Hines.

Loved ones said Solo had two sons. One of them is 9-year-old Sharmarion Hines. He said he’s been hurting since he found out his dad passed away.

“I’m feeling really sad and I love my dad even though he not here with me, but my uncle told me that even though he not here, he’s still in my heart,” said Shamarion.

The Spartanburg County Coroner’s Office said Hines had been missing since Sunday. They said his body was found on Wednesday, around 7:50 p.m.

Loved ones 7NEWS spoke with reminisce on memories and reflect on the many things they’re going to miss.

“When I was little I used to take pencils and pots and pans and bang on it in his room,” said Shamarion.

“He was so goofy, he was always goofy and playful. He just lit up the whole world,” said Jenita Anderson.

Jenita Anderson said she and Solo have been dating for 6 years.

“I’m in shock still,” she said.

She said even though he’s gone, she can still feel his presence.

“He was with me all day yesterday,” she said.

Anderson said what’s been helping her get through the pain is replaying old messages Solo left for her.

“I have messages from him on my phone telling me to be strong, I got this,” said Anderson.

She said she knew something was wrong when he didn’t show up to her house this past Sunday morning.

“I didn’t hear from him and right then, I knew, he’s missing. He’s nowhere hiding, he’s nowhere but missing right now,” she said.

She said she put up missing posters everywhere for him and was heartbroken when she learned he was found.

“When I got that phone call, I had just, just pulled into my driveway. Like literally just pulled in there and all I could do was scream and holler at the top of my lungs. That’s all I did, was cry, cry, cry. That’s all I could do, was cry,” she said.

Now, his family is left wanting an answer.

“We need justice for my dad,” said Shamarion.

The sheriff’s office said this is still an active investigation and the coroner’s office said Hines cause of death cannot be released yet, in order to not jeopardize the investigation.

SPARTANBURG, S.C. (WSPA) – Former Vice President came to Spartanburg Thursday evening as the keynote speaker for the Carolina Pregnancy Center’s Spring Gala. Over a thousand people gathered inside the Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium to hear the former Vice President talk about protecting the right to life.

A night filled with a strong message. Former Vice President, Mike Pence, says this week is a momentous week in the cause of the Right to Life.

“My hope is that the Supreme Court will send Roe versus Wade to the ash heap of history. That should that day come, that the compassion of the people of the Pro-Life Movement will inspire the nation,” said Pence.

Pence’s visit comes days after a Supreme Court opinion draft, that could overturn Roe versus Wade, was leaked, but Pence’s visit was planned before.

“Tonight, my focus is going to be on the moral imperative of overturning Roe versus Wade, giving the American people a fresh start on life,” he said.

Pence was the keynote speaker for the Carolina Pregnancy Center’s Spring Gala. The Center is a non-profit organization that provides resources for unplanned pregnancies. Including a new van that will give free sonograms to women.

“It’s just one more way the Carolina Pregnancy Center is meeting this moment in the life of the Nation, with love and compassion and faith,” said Pence.

But, not everyone agrees with Pence’s stance. A group of protestors gathered across the street, with signs and chants saying: My body, my choice.

“It’s my body, it’s my choice, first of all. It’s a gray area with it, it’s not just black and white, if you have an abortion, there’s a reason behind it,” said protestor, Briana Grindstaff.

The former VP says the fight for the Right to Life is something he’s been involved in his entire adult life.

“I think we have a historic opportunity to restore the sanctity of life to the center of American law and I welcome that. And I hope and I pray that the Supreme Court of the United States, the draft opinion will hold, becoming a part of the law of the land,” he said.

He also discussed defunding Planned Parenthood and his involvement in the Pro-Life movement. The 48th Vice President says he prays the Country enters an era where he says all human life will be respected.

With just about every seat filled, officials with the event say this Spring Gala sold out at the earliest date in history.

Strawberry season is at its peak, and pounds of the red, ripe berries are selling fast at Strawberry Hill, USA.

While peaches are the Chesnee farm's biggest crop, Cooley Farm is best known by many for its freshly-picked strawberries, which it has offered since 1995. The farm was started by the grandfather, father and uncle of current owner James Cooley in 1947. It is now also known by its nickname Strawberry Hill.

The Cooley brothers' original farm stand was joined in 2001 by a cafe adjacent to their more than 100 acres of strawberries. In the years following, the farm became a destination, not only for fresh fruit, but for spending time with family and school and youth group tours.

"There's nothing fancy about it, but people like to come, I think, for that reason, to sit in the rockers and spend the day," said Brandi Easler, Cooley's daughter. "It's our family tradition, but it's become a lot of other people's family tradition to come out here as part of their spring and summer."

In addition to fresh strawberries by the gallon ($16) or quart ($6), the farm shed also sells strawberry bread and fritters, strawberry jam, and strawberry cider made locally with farm's strawberries. The strawberries are also available there in slushie form, made with the cider. All of the farm's strawberries are pre-picked; they do not offer a U-Pick option.

Hub City Farmers' Market: What to expect from new vendors and big plans for this season

Across the street at the restaurant, strawberries are on the menu April-June for breakfast, lunch and snacks.

Strawberry Hill U.S.A. Café and Ice-cream Parlor serves breakfast from 8-10:30 a.m. and this time of year the most popular item, besides their country breakfast with cat head biscuits, is their strawberry pancake. The plate-sized pancake is covered in sliced strawberries and whipped cream.

"Every evening, we slice up strawberries and we put a little sugar on them at night, just to make a little extra juice on them, and then we'll put them on pancakes for breakfast time," said Bethani McLellan, Cooley's daughter.

The leftover sweetened strawberries are used on strawberry shortcakes, featuring the farm's homemade strawberry ice cream for the lunch crowd.

'Oh the places you'll go': Greenville and Spartanburg among the top moving destinations

The ice cream parlor offers ice cream on sugar and waffle cones, banana splits, and milkshakes.

The strawberry season is at its peak, owner James Cooley said. The farm's 108 workers began picking in early April, and the farm is hopeful that strawberries will be plentiful into June. The farm is working with two main varietals to stagger the crop.

"The best is yet to come, just gotta keep rolling. Cool mornings and warm days makes for wonderful strawberries and we hope that strawberries will keep going through this month and as much into June as possible," Cooley said.

Strawberry Hill USA is located at 3097 SC Highway11 in Chesnee. The farm shed is open daily 8 a.m.-8 p.m. The cafe is open from 6 a.m. - to 2:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday and the ice cream parlor is open daily 11 a.m.-8 p.m.

Here are more spots to get your strawberry fix near the Upstate:

Abbott's Farm Outlet (1980 Reidville Road, Spartanburg) Monday-Saturday 8 a.m.-6 p.m.

Bellews Market (240 Garner Road, Spartanburg) Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Belue Farms Natural Market (3769 Parris Bridge Road, Boiling Springs) Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.- 6 p.m.

Grey Rock Farms and Green Acres Produce (5760 Anderson Mill Road, Moore) Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Sunday 12:30 p.m.-6 p.m.

Strawberry Hill USA - Gaffney Market (117 Nancy Creek Road, Gaffney) Monday-Saturday 10 a.m. - 8 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.- 8 p.m.

Hobo Hollar (124 Old Converse Road, Spartanburg) Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.-6 p.m.

Hood Farms Peaches & Strawberries (2512 Fairfield Road, Chesnee) daily 7 a.m.- 5 p.m.

McDowell Farms (3731 Highway 11 West, Chesnee) Monday-Friday 9 a.m.- 7 p.m., Saturday 8 a.m.- 7 p.m., Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Bush-N-Vine Farm (160 Filbert Highway, York) Saturday 8 a.m.-3 p.m.

Black's Peaches (1800 Black Highway, York) Monday 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Tuesday-Wednesday 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Thursday-Saturday 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Springs Farm (1010 Springfield Parkway, Fort Mill) Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., Sunday 1-7 p.m.

Hall Family Farm (445 W. Rebound Road, Lancaster) Tuesday-Thursday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., Friday-Sunday 9 a.m.- 7 p.m.

McConnell Farms (177 Old Dana Road, Hendersonville) Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Johnson Family Farm (1202 Kanuga Road, Hendersonville) Tuesday-Friday 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; Saturday 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Rich Hill Farms (3061 Rocky River Road, Heath Springs) Monday-Friday 10 a.m.- 6 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-3 p.m., Sunday 1-5 p.m.

Stewart Farms (6600 Highway 92, Enoree) Monday-Saturday 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Fisher's Peach Orchard (504 S. Buncombe Road and 1000 Locust Hill Road, Greer) daily 8 a.m.-7 p.m.

Buck and Ann’s Strawberry Farm (139 Pearson Road, Greer) hours vary, call 864-879-4612

Hunter Farms (607 Jameson Road, Easley) Monday-Saturday 8 a.m.- 6 p.m., Sunday 1-5 p.m.

Estrada Farms (1428 Table Rock Road, Pickens) daily 9:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.

Callaham Orchards (59 Crawford Road., Belton) daily, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Beechwood Farms (204 Bates Bridge Road, Marietta) Monday-Friday 9 a.m.- 5 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m.- 4:30 p.m.

Samantha Swann covers food and restaurants in Spartanburg County. She is a University of South Carolina Upstate and Greenville Technical College alumna. Contact her with your burning restaurant questions, recipes, and new dinner specials at sswann@shj.com or on Instagram at @sameatsspartanburg.