CHESNEE, S.C. (WSPA) – There are Labor Day celebrations happening all across the country including right here in Upstate.
Labor Day is the unofficial end of the summer and in Chesnee, residents and visitors spent the holiday at the city’s annual Labor Day Festival.
Cowpens resident Deborah Teamer said she makes the quick trip over to Chesnee every year.
“Yes, just a about every year if I am not working,” Teamer said.
North Carolina resident James Hanford also visits every year
“This is how I spend [Labor Day], pretty much,” Hanford explained. “I have gotten to the point where I know when this happens so I just get in my car. It’s about a 20 minute drive from where I live, so it’s not the end of the world.”
This year’s festival featured live music, shopping, food, and rides scattered throughout Chesnee’s downtown.
“I get to walk around town, mainly. Sometimes I drive around town because it is a pretty good sized town, I like to look at bargains, find bargains, or talk to people, just having a good time,” Hanford said.
Teamer said she enjoys the shopping and socializing at the festival.
“I am really surprised there are a lot of different things out here, different people, you see a lot of people you hadn’t seen in years. I enjoy it,” said Teamer.
John Coates with Operation Grow Spartanburg said he partnered with the city to make the festival larger this year.
“We help a lot of smaller cities and towns upgrade their festivals. We bring in a lot of contacts that are not normally available. We help them grow their own events,” Coates said.
“Last year they had six food trucks, we upped that three times,” Coates added. “We have a lot more vendors. Last year they had nine vendors, this year we have 20 vendors in total and we have live music all day.”
Kyle Madore with Shineworxx Automotive Detailing is one of the 20 vendors, he said the festival helps draw more people into town giving local business more exposure.
“It has been super busy out here,” said Madore. “Today is supposed to be pretty packed, we got the flea market and a lot of live music and everything. This should be pretty fun.”
Organizers said the turnout Monday was expected to be larger than Saturday and Sunday combined.
