It’s getting Inn-tense!  Lots to-do for Springtime in Greenville!

The weather is here and Greenville is BEAUTIFUL!!  SO much to get ta-done this month!

The National attention for #yeahTHAT Greenville just keeps on coming!  “Travels With Darley” visited South Carolina this fall and stayed at the Swamp Rabbit Inn and biked the Swamp Rabbit Trail.   The “Southern States Road Trip” episode, which features Greenville, Travelers Rest, Anderson, and Belton, has been airing on PBS, ETV and is now available online!

swamp-rabbit-inn-greenville-darley

Now on to the activities!

A little rock history anyone?  April 12th at 7 pm:  Upcountry History Museum at Furman University presents Backstage Pass with Chuck Leavell.  Chuck will share his music and stories from a career  spent on tour with legends like the Rolling Stones and the Allman Brothers.  Tickets still available.

How about something for your little bunnies?  Tuesday April 12th and Thursday April 14th  - “Goodnight Moon and the Runaway Bunny”.  How could I not take all  (all, all, ALL) of my nieces and nephews to this magical puppetry production?!  By Mermaid Theater of Nova Scotia, performing at the Gunter Theater.

yappy-hour

Dog lovers cannot be left out!  We rabbits must remember to be inclusive!  Thursday April 14th at  6 pm, Yappy Hour at The Humane Society is the mixer for dog lovers with themed treats for our four legged friends and the bipeds who love them.  For $10, you and your friends can unwind with cold brews and live music from local artists.  Meanwhile, your dog can run off leash in our canine courtyard and take a dip in our “doggie pools”.

Also, for the canine inclined, April 21 at the Old Cigar Warehouse, The Pawmetto Derby!  Derby-goers enjoy live music, derby-themed fare, bottomless cocktails and top shelf bourbon!  It all leads up to the main event of the evening – the “Run for the Noses” race where adorable (and adoptable!) puppies compete to win the coveted “Run for the Noses” Champion trophy!

Missing a little 90s music?  April 15th Cool down on tax day with Coolio at the Well, and, April 16th have your happy-it’s-over jam with Pearl Jam also at the Well.

In case you forgot the signature event, Bikeville Classic... The week of April 12 - 17 Swamp Rabbit Lodge is currently available to book for Bikeville Classic weekend!

We know you don't want to miss this, so, a gentle reminder:  April 23rd Community Tap Craft Beer Fest at Larkin’s Sawmill, conveniently followed by:  April 24th at 10 am - 1 pm the Upstate welcomes Biscuit Head with Biscuits and Beer Brunch!   at Swamp Rabbit Brewery and Taproom.  A little Hare of the Rabbit, eh?!

May Day!!!  Lots going on May 1st.  Three events at the Swamp Rabbit Inn!!!

First on May 1st at 10 am, join us for the Trek Travel Ride.  The ride will be approximately 40 miles.  We will ride from the Swamp Rabbit Inn,  out on the Swamp Rabbit Trail towards Travelers Rest, with the option to climb Paris Mountain.  Paper route guides will be available at the start.  After the ride Councilwoman Amy Ryberg Doyle will give the May Bike Month proclamation also at the Swamp Rabbit Inn!

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That evening, also May 1st:  "Dinner with Friends".   After that big ride, come sit awhile at our table and join us for a lovely repast.   This is our first "Dinner With Friends" event at the Swamp Rabbit Inn with some of our very good friends Chef Michael Kramer of Table 301, Steven Musolf of Lazy Goat, Teryi Youngblood of Passerelle Bistro, Krystal Hill of Lazy Goat, Craig Rogers (the Cycling Shepard) of Border Springs Farms and Michael Kimball of Williamsburg Winery.  As of this writing there are still 24 tickets left, purchase them HERE.

Please don't forget we have our Tuesday Latte Rides leaving the Inn at 9:30 am every Tuesday.  And do save the date for May 10th, our first Truck in Tuesday of the season!

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Of course you can always cruise in to downtown for Main Street Fridays at NOMA Square.  Happening all summer long,  5:30 - 9:30.

In short: if you want to be bored this spring stay the heck away from Greenville SC, 'cause we are gonna party, bike, eat, drink, and dance our fuzzy little tails off!

Cheers!

Meet Percy the Swamp Rabbit of the Swamp Rabbit Inn

--Percy

Kit Up and Clip Inn, Y'all! The Bikeville Classic is Coming!

For the second year in a row the best in American cycling are rolling in to burn up the roads of Greenville for the Bikeville Classic 2016!

Start

April 16th and 17th - It’s Bikeville Classic time!

Bikeville

Notus Sports and USA Cycling, in partnership with VisitGreenvilleSC, hosts the Volkswagon USA Cycling Professional Criterium and Team Time Trial National Championships, as part of the Bikeville Classic - presented by Greenville Health System, in Greenville South Carolina!  (that’s a mouthful!)

The Cycling Weekend promises something for everyone - pros, amateurs, kids, cruisers and fans.

We have links and info below for:

Team Time Trial

Public “Ride the Connector” Ride

Criterium Races

Expo on Main

Kids Events

Truck Inn following Bikeville Classic (PARTY!)

Food Trucks at the Swamp Rabbit Inn

Eventbrite - Truck Inn At The Swamp Rabbit Inn

 

the turn

Men and women will battle it out to wear the coveted Stars and Stripes National Championship jersey in the Team Time Trial on Saturday and the Criterium Race on Sunday.

Hincappie

The Team Time Trial will take place Saturday, April 16th. The I -185 Southern Connector will be closed to traffic to create the 20 mile course that includes long, wide straightaways and rolling hills.  The races will start at the toll plaza.  Click HERE for directions and parking.  Come see local racers Holowesko/Citadel powered by Hincapie Sportwear, Racing Team defend their TTT Championship title.  At the time of this writing all the women’s teams competing in the TTT are not yet in but competition is sure to be equally fierce.  This year also features a first ever Juniors TTT Championship race.

Intensity

Want to feel what it’s like to ride on the interstate?  Well you can!  “Ride the Connector”, a public fun ride will take place before the races start and you can sign up for it HERE.  There is a fee for adults, but children under 12, accompanied by a registered adult, can join the ride for free!

Toll Road

The Criterium Championship races will take place Sunday, April 17th, on Main Street in Downtown Greenville.  See the course map HERE.

Main Street

Look for our artist-at-large to be Bike Scribbling in the street again.

Kathleen King

Members of the Greenville Spinners will be out in force volunteering along the courses on both days and Members of Greenville-based Para-cycling Team Roger C. Peace will be volunteering at the TTT.  If you see someone in either jersey, feel free to introduce yourself to find out more about their programs.

Winning!

Spokes and Spandex Expo on Main, 11 AM - 6 PM Sunday, will feature cycling related retailers, vendors and non profits with tents along the path of the race course.  A VIP experience sponsored by The Trappe Door and Sierra Nevada, with preferred viewing area and other perks,  can also be purchased. Click HERE for details.

Bike Valet service will again be available near Main and McBee, so do the fun thing and ride your bike into town, park it safe and secure and enjoy the day!

Helmet Giveaway

Kids will get into safe biking with the helmet giveaway!  Safe Kids Upstate is giving away 200 free helmets for kids, with helmet fittings from 9 AM to Noon on Sunday. Other giveaways will include safety information, blinky lights and sunscreen.  Stop by the Greenville Health booth.

waffle

The waffles are back!  VW is sponsoring free Belgian waffles again, while they last, on Sunday so get there early!

Truck Inn

Last but DEFINITELY not least… TRUCK INN at the Swamp Rabbit Inn after the criterium on Sunday!  Do come join us and the Greenville cycling community for a rockin’ after party with great music, food, drink and dancing.  SOMEbunny is even having a birthday that day, but we won’t say who!  Cyclists love a cyclebration!

Truck Inn

We are filling up but still have a few spaces left at the Swamp Rabbit Inn and Properties if you need a place to stay for race weekend.  Of course, if you need to rent a bike to cruise around town with ease we’ve got those for you too!

bikes for rent

This is one of Greenville’s best and brightest weekends on the calendar.  Let’s have some fast and thrilling fun in the sun!

Meet Percy the Swamp Rabbit of the Swamp Rabbit Inn

--Percy

Playing in the Street - Festival Season in Greenville!!!

Road block!!!  Greenvillians running (cycling, eating, drinking, dancing...) amok in the middle of the street!!!  Don’t be alarmed.  It’s festival time!  Greenville has a list of public events as your long as your arm ( roughly 300, give or take) and we’re just about to launch into it.  I’m an expert on the low down so I’ll cover our more immediate headliners first and then clue you in on a couple of quirkier romps and do my best to keep you apprised of festive opportunities as the warmer months unfold.  The Swamp Rabbit Inn is so conveniently located we would love to serve as your home base from which to go cavorting.  Let's go outside and play!!!

Albino Skunk

MUSIC!!  April 7th - 9th Spring Albino Skunk Music Fest - The festival got its name from the sightings of white skunks on the grounds.  Originally founded as a bluegrass music festival, SkunkFest now features all sorts of mostly acoustic music – including Americana, Folk, Singer-Songwriter, Alt. Country, Acoustic, Roots and Bluegrass. It’s held on the grounds of Glynn and Susan Zeigler’s old farm place north of Greer.  It was initially private but is now open to the music-loving public.  Local food vendors, craft beers served up by The Community Tap, Handmade Crafts, Kiddieland with playground, activities, kid’s shows & drive-in movie, and Edible Upcountry’s Farmers Market are some of the attractions besides the phenomenal music.  Primitive tent camping &  RV Camping area (sorry no hook-ups) on site within easy walking distance to everything.  No shuttles needed from camping areas or the parking lot.

Bikeville Classic

CYCLING!! April 16th - 17th Bikeville Classic - Notus Sports and USA Cycling, in partnership with VisitgreenvilleSC, hosts the Volkswagon USA Cycling Professional Criterium and Team Time Trial National Championships,  presented by Greenville Health System.

This race-filled weekend will determine the national champions in the Criterium and Team Time Trial.  Categorized amateur racers are also taking the start line Sunday on the same course as the professionals. On Saturday, amateurs can race the team time trial course and compare their times to the professionals. You don’t need to be a racer to enjoy the weekend. Before the racers take to the time trial course, the Southern Connector Ride kicks off at 8 AM on Saturday.

Join us at the Swamp Rabbit Inn after the races on the 17th for Truck Inn Tuesday, 6-10 p.m., for local food and music!

BEER!!  April 23rd, Noon to 4 p.m.  at Larkin's Sawmill - 22 Graves Drive, Greenville, SC 29609.  The Community Tap's fourth annual Craft Beer Festival features over 50 of our favorite craft breweries from all over the US, focusing on small-batch brews and one-off kegs - this isn't your normal beer fest. There will also be live music, concessions and other creative activities to keep you entertained while you imbibe. This festival has sold out every year - buy early!

Reedy River Run

RUN!!  Also April 23rd, 7 a.m - 11 a.m.  South Main Street, - 39th Annual Reedy River Run is one of the oldest road races in the south and will be celebrating its 39th year in 2016. After many years of being run on the first weekend in March, this year's edition is moving back to the month of April as it was first conducted. After crossing the finish line you will be guided into Falls Park to and enjoy the food and refreshments provided by our generous sponsors. There will be music to help you enjoy Spring in Greenville while over 50 door prizes will be randomly  presented according to the race bib numbers selected. You will be able to observe and appreciate the top ten overall men and women and top three Masters and Grand Masters finishers as they receive their awards. And you can celebrate your personal best 10K with a unique "PR" medal, while observing the top three finishers in each age group receive their awards. Stay around for the food, fun and friendship and kick off Spring in Greenville.

Artisphere

ART!!  May 13th - 15th Artisphere - Arts. Culture. Life., hosts award-winning visual artists of national and international caliber, showcasing their work at an open-air Artist Row in the West End.  The best of Greenville’s performing arts groups are complimented by top name performers from around the world. The festival highlights performances of local youth groups and provides creative, educational activities for children.  A vibrant swirl of color and activity for everyone!  

Golf!!  May 19th - 22nd  The 2016 BMW Charity Pro-Am presented by SYNNEX Corporation will take place at Thornblade Club, The Reserve at Lake Keowee and The Preserve at Verdae.  The BMW Charity Pro-Am presented by SYNNEX Corporation is a tournament where amateurs and celebrities are grouped with professionals in a four-day better-ball competition over three courses. The Professional winner of the overall 72-hole event will take home $121,500 from the total purse of $675,000.

Upcoming Holiday Events

St. Patrick's Day - March 13th, 2 p.m  - Ireland on Parade / Festival, featuring bands, floats and Irish dancers. The parade will commence at 2:00PM at Main St. and Broad St. and march up Main St. and conclude at E. North St. Main St. will be closed to vehicular traffic between E.North St. and College St. for an Irish festival from 3:00-6:00. The Irish festival will feature all things Irish, Irish music, Irish dancing,Irish food,Irish beer and soft drinks. Greenville, it's green indeed!

Passover - April 17th, 10:30 a.m - 4:30 p.m.  - ShalomFest has evolved from a congregational event to a community-­wide attraction.  While food remains a highlight with traditional Jewish meals and desserts available throughout the day, the many cultural offerings also appeal to interested attendees of all religions. In fact, curiosity about Judaism is incredibly prevalent among area residents. ShalomFest’16 attendees will enjoy re­enactments of lifestyle events (Bar/Bat Mitzvah; Jewish Wedding); live Klezmer music and Israeli song & dance; a broad spectrum of Jewish cultural activities including holiday celebrations, cooking demonstrations, and craft projects. There will be presentations on religion, language and Israel as well as games for children. Local Rabbis will present a Speaker Series offering new topics of interest for attendees.

chimney sunrise service

Easter - March 27th, 7 a.m.  - Chimney Rock 61st Annual Sunrise Service - Just a little to the north of Greenville, a legendary event takes place.  Celebrate the glory of Easter with song, scripture and spiritual music as a spectacular sunrise ascends over Lake Lure.  Chimney Rock’s annual Easter Sunrise Service attracts more than 1,000 early risers from around the Southeast each year. This nondenominational event features live music and an inspirational message. Guests are invited to eat breakfast at the Old Rock Café and stay to enjoy the Park all day.  Admission to the sunrise service is free.  Guests who would like to return to the Park after eating breakfast can show their bulletin at the Ticket Plaza to receive free admission for Sunday, March 27.  A breakfast buffet will be offered at the Old Rock Café following the service.

Weekly Events

Downtown Alive - Every Thursday, 5:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.,  March 17th - August 25th - A fundraiser for the Metropolitan Arts Council, this FREE weekly concert series sponsored by Piedmont Natural Gas features a mix of pop, blues, acoustic and reggae performances.  At NOMA Square on North Main

Greenville Heritage FCU Main Street Fridays -  5:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.,  March 18 - September - Presented by Pepsi. Listen and dance to the best in musical entertainment!  Bands playing 2 sets at 5:50 p.m and 7:40 p.m.  In addition, the Kids' Area features a variety of inflatables to add to the family fun.  Also at NOMA Square on North Main.

Saturday Market - May – Oct, 8:30am – 12:30pm. Main St. at McBee Ave.  Greenville's gorgeous, glorious farmer's market, and this bunny's personal favorite event in Greenville!  Stock up on local vegetables, fruit, eggs, cheese, meats and other home-grown fare from area farmers.  Yum!!!

Something a Little Different

Reedy River Duck Derby  - May 7th, 2016 10 a.m.  -  4 p.m.  Post time: 2:30!! - The Duck Derby is a day-long family and children's festival featuring food, games, and activities for children. The day is highlighted by the Derby - the release of 10,000 numbered yellow rubber ducks into the Reedy River. The proceeds will benefit the Mauldin Miracle League (MML), Greenville Area Interfaith Hospitality Network (GAIHN), EarlyAct FirstKnight, Shriners Hospital for Children of Greenville, Building Dreams Mentoring, Polio Plus and Partners in Agriculture.

The Rotary Club of Greenville Evening, a service organization of local business men and women, holds the Reedy River Duck Derby annually as its primary community service project. This is the twelfth consecutive year that the group has organized this charitable fundraiser. 

dragon-boat

Dragon Boat Upstate Festival -  April 30th, Portman Marina, Lake Hartwell - The Dragon Boat Upstate Festival, now in it's tenth year, has raised over $1.7 million to date in support of local families and hosts more than 1,500 visitors and team members during the annual event. Paddlers, volunteers and supporters enjoy a day at the lake while supporting cancer research, rehabilitation programs through the Center for Integrative Oncology and Survivorship and other cancer services at the GHS Cancer Institute.

greekfest

Greek Festival - May 14th - 17th, Saint George Greek Orthodox Cathedral, 406 N. Academy - Greenville becomes “Greekville” as the magic of Greece comes to town.  Authentic Greek food served in the Church’s Hellenic Center during lunch and dinner. Take-out orders for food and pastries will also be available throughout the weekend.  Enjoy live Greek music.  Bazooki and traditional folk dancing throughout the weekend. Dancers dressed in traditional costumes of the various regions and islands of Greece will perform authentic dances.  Sip exotic Greek coffee and indescribable "loukoumades".  And there will also be Greek wine.  Ongoing tours of our beautiful Greek Orthodox Cathedral will explore the mystical symbolism and history of the Eastern Orthodox faith. Discover this Apostolic Christian religion that dates back to 33 AD. See our beautiful mosaics and icons to learn the roles they play in the Church.

Gallabrae

Gallabrae Scottish Games - Parade May 27th, 6 p.m. Main Street Greenville, Scottish Games May 28th, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m. at Furman University - Come and enjoy the 10th anniversary! The Upstate of South Carolina has, arguably, one of the highest concentrations of Scots-Irish descendants in the country.  A great event for the whole family, this two-day festival was created in 2006 as a tribute to the region's Celtic forebears, and includes a parade, music, athletic competition and dancing. Friday: Great Scot! parade downtown and Ceilidh music on the TD Stage in the Peace Center Amphitheater. Saturday: Scottish Games at Furman.

And you can't miss the All-Day Border Collie Invitationals and watch really smart animals (okay, the sheep aren't too smart) herd sheep and ducks, all to the tune of a whistle.  A car, dare I say, nut?  Come to one of the most beautiful malls (not the shopping kind, the oak-tree canopied kind) in the country at Furman and check out the antique British cars, some of which you've never seen.  Have you served in the military?  Be at our Opening Ceremonies for the and let us honor and thank you like you deserve.

Do you have small children?  Wee Scotland is for you, and them.  They'll get a passport to admit them to their own Scottish village, and you can enjoy them enjoying us.  Teens, young adults, not-so-young adults?  Celtic rock bands!  Whoa!  Like to watch world championship athletics?  Got you covered, we have been awarded the World Masters Championship for Heavy Athletes, you have got to see this to believe it.  Watch for the Japanese guy in a kilt throwing really heavy stuff.

Beefy dudes in kilts!  And I thought I was furry!  I think we have it covered... for now.  Did you see anything you like?  Yeah, thought so!   See you here for springtime in Greenville SC!

Meet Percy the Swamp Rabbit of the Swamp Rabbit Inn

--Percy

Make Your Move Inn Greenville! Thinking About A Move to Greenville SC?

It’s that time.

Fat robins are waddling across the front lawns and backyards of Greenville.  Fat squirrels are feasting on front lawn and backyard pecans.  Fat cyclists are doing hill repeats on Paris Mountain.  Fat Swamp Rabbits (ahem) are steering clear of the chocolate factory.

Spring is coming.

Mating season and racing season are upon us!  All kinds of nesting is happening.  If moving your nest is on the agenda, springtime is a fine time!

finishline

If you haven’t spent much time on the East Coast you may never have heard the term “half back” applied to anything other than a position on a football team.  But in the region surrounding the Southern Appalachians a “half back" is someone who came from the colder North to try life in sunny Florida for awhile and then moved 'half way back'  to settle in the “just right” zone near the Blue Ridge mountains.  Greenville SC is smack in the middle of halfback central.  I've been directing my overheated rabbit relatives to the cool banks of the Reedy River for years!

Thinking about a move to Greenville SC?  If you are planning to relocate to Greenville you are in good company!  Over 245 international companies from 20 countries call Greenville home, including 170 corporate headquarters.

Fluor

Next

Beginning with a Great American Main Street Award, Greenville has made more ’best of’  top ten lists than any of us can count.  Strategically situated between Charlotte and Atlanta, each about two hours away, it’s “just right” to raise a family, start a business, make a career move, or retire, relax and just enjoy.  Shiny new living spaces are going up all over the county to accommodate folks who want to get in on our renaissance.  Spacious housing developments are sprouting in the ‘burbs, urbanite condos are dotting the downtown area, and historic mill campuses are being transformed into hip apartments.  Choices abound!

Main and Stone

AmericanSpinningMill

And just how will you occupy your time when you get here?  Did you know we have 200 annual events in Greenville?  In addition to great cycling amenities there are 51 golf courses in the area and 300 waterfalls to hike to.  Mild weather, great healthcare services and top ranked schools like the Governor’s School for Arts and Humanities and Furman University complete the package.

Golf

raven

furman university

During our first two years it has been our pleasure to be a welcoming part of the relocation process for many new Greenville residents!  The Swamp Rabbit Inn and Properties offer several options for comfy, convenient places to land for a longterm stay while you check things out, poke around, get acquainted, and get your bearings while your new burrow get sorted.  Our staff is knowledgeable and can point you toward the practical services and assistance to help complete the transition.

props

Greenville is all about growth.  If you choose to plant yourself here, we’ll do our part to help you bloom!

Meet Percy the Swamp Rabbit of the Swamp Rabbit Inn

--Percy

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