A Message From Jo McConnell, Spring Jubilee Coordinator

For thirty-one years the Pendleton District Commission has welcomed visitors to Pendleton’s Village Green to celebrate the end of the gray days of winter as dogwoods and daffodils bloom. The tradition continues April 4-5, 2009 with the 32nd Annual Historic Pendleton Spring Jubilee.

Spring Jubilee began in 1978 as a means to inaugurate the tourism season for Anderson, Oconee and Pickens Counties, the region served by the PDC. A previous event had been moved from the village green to a neighboring town because organizers felt the setting was too small. The Pendleton District Commission instead saw a beautiful setting, surrounded by historic trees and buildings, a central location for the three counties and lots of potential. Emphasis was placed on creating an event that showcased the best in arts and crafts, which included creative works and musical entertainment. The rest is history. The Spring Jubilee has earned local, regional and national respect through the years. It has twice been named the Best Festival in the State of South Carolina in a community of less than 5,000 residents, designated a Top Twenty Event by the Southeast Tourism Society and a Top 100 Event in the U. S. by the American Bus Association.

With those honors comes a responsibility to maintain the high standards which earned the awards. Selection of the artists and crafters follows a careful process of jurying each application. Uniqueness and originality of the product, execution of design and appeal to the shoppers are all carefully considered. The number of accepted applicants is limited per category to give the show diversity, not only in design but in price. Whether you want to make an investment in the arts, buy a birthday present or wear a unique piece of jewelry, you can find that item at Spring Jubilee. Artists from Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Florida, Virginia, Ohio, Missouri, Kansas and neighboring communities in South Carolina are ready to help you make your selection of their creative works.

Entertainment is focused at the center stage. This year you can enjoy the bluegrass of Tugalo Holler, gospel music by Providence Quartet, or remember those college days with Cravin’ Melon acoustics. The Clemson University Jazz Combo will fill the air with rhythm and Jack Roper’s magic antics will tickle your funny bone. Anderson’s own award-winning Senior Follies will show us all how to stay young at heart. Plan to come for the day, sit back and enjoy a fun mix of local and regional talent.

Green isn’t just the color of the grass where the Jubilee is held. It is the symbol for our responsibility to protect our environment by recycling and the Jubilee is going to make it fun. The Town of Pendleton’s Curbside Recycling Program and Anderson County’s Keep America Beautiful program is sponsoring THE SCRAP EXCHANGE, a non-profit creative reuse center that promotes creativity, environmental awareness and community through reuse of industrial discards and reclaimed materials. People of all ages will have a great time making hats, rockets, puppets, handbags or any number of items under the supervision of The Scrap Exchange. It’s creative, it’s responsible and it’s FREE!! Plan to come and join the fun from 10 am – 4 pm on Saturday, April 4. On Sunday, April 5, the Blue Ridge Arts Center will have their “Make It and Take It” booth with four interactive hands-on art activities for kids ages 4-12 to create a work of art to take home. Both activities are free of charge and waiting for the creative juices to flow. Who knows, a future artist/crafter for Spring Jubilee may be found at these fun activities.

Historic tours will be available at Ashtabula and Woodburn Plantations as they re-open after a winter’s nap. These historic properties offer a walk through a long-ago period that helped shaped the region we know today. Admission is charged to help on-going restoration and preservation of these house museums.

The Jubilee Joy Ride returns for the 18th year to offer carefully planned loops that will take you onto some of the most beautiful roads in Anderson County on Saturday, April 4. Registration is from 8- 10 a.m.. The ride begins at the Pendleton District Agricultural Museum, located on History Lane off Hwy. 76, across from Tri-County Technical College. The 28-mile loop explores the quiet country roads of Anderson and La France. The metric century (62.5miles) route starts on the 28-mile loop and adds another 35 miles which takes the riders into the rolling hills of northern Anderson County. Rest stops with snacks and refreshments will be available on all the routes. There is no mass start and it is held rain or shine. Minors must be accompanied by an adult and helmets are required. Early registration is not required, but is recommended and guarantees a t-shirt. Call 864-646-3782 or email vicki@pendletondistrict.org for information or application.

All this activity is sure to make you hungry. Grilled Polish sausages, hot dogs, bar-b-q and festival staples of powdered sugar coated funnel cakes and fresh-squeezed lemonade, along with the offerings of the local restaurants, will satisfy kids and adults alike.

Make your plans now to be part of this fun-filled weekend. Just remember the advice of the locals – take the first parking place you find!!

For information contact: Pendleton District Commission, 864-646-3782 or visit our website Pendleton District Commission-Spring Jubilee

Please visit my Spring Jubilee Squidoo Lens at Spring Jubilee Arts and Crafts Festival

Photo courtesy of Stained Glass Artist Rhonda Newman