Welcome to Camden, South Carolina! 🏇🏼 Colonial Cup Race Weekend is one of the most anticipated times of the year for steeplechase racing enthusiasts. You don’t need to be an expert to enjoy this weekend – since it’s packed with multiple equestrian events, social gatherings, live entertainment, and unforgettable traditions. Whether you are coming in for the golf tournament, the street festival, or Sunday’s thrilling steeplechase action, here is your complete guide to making the most of the week—including top spots to shop, dine, and enjoy the local nightlife.
Schedule of Events
Thursday, November 19
11:00 AM ⛳ Golf Tournament Benefiting the Injured Jockeys Fund Kick off Race Week at Camden Country ClubClick to open side panel for more information for a great day of golf sponsored by the Camden Polo Club!
Friday, November 20
10:30 AM 🐴 Camden Stable Tour Benefiting the South Carolina Equine Park Join The Campbell Team of Peace Sotheby’s International Realty on a Camden Stable Tour, consisting of 6 stops and lunch and benefits the South Carolina Equine Park. Transportation is included.
5:00 PM 🪕 Bluegrass and Blue Jeans Happy Hour At this relaxed spin on the traditional pre-race party, you can enjoy denim, drinks, and music at the National Steeplechase Museum!
Saturday, November 21
8:00 AM 🏃🏼♂️🏃🏼♀️ Rockin’ Before the Races 5K A fun, family-friendly, flat, and fast course for runners and walkers of all experience levels.
6:00 PM 🎸 Rockin’ Before the Races Street Festival Featuring Mack Fowler & Co. along with Elliot Poston, classic cars, games and entertainers, great local food, and fun for the whole family.
Sunday, November 22
The Colonial Cup Races Experience a full day of steeplechase racing and family entertainment at Springdale Racecourse.
Gates Open: 9:00 AM
First Race: 1:00 PM
Activities: Explore the Holiday Market, the TruVista Fiber Kids Zone, and beloved traditions such as the Best Dressed Contest, the Tailgate Contest, and the fan-favorite Corgi Races!
Admission: Children 12 and under are admitted free.
Where to Shop
Need a race-day outfit, equestrian chic accessories, or local souvenirs? Check out these local boutiques:
Pink Stable 👚 Pink Stable is a stylish clothing boutique in downtown Camden featuring curated women’s fashion, race-day attire and accessories.
Ella’s Boutique 👗 Ella’s Boutique offers a collection of trendy women’s apparel, jewelry, and gifts perfect for dressing up for the races.
Needful Things of Camden 👜 Needful Things of Camden is a unique local boutique offering custom embroidery, laser engraving, and a wide selection of accessories and specialty gifts.
Fox Den Ltd. 🦊Fox Den Ltd. offers bespoke equestrian-inspired décor, gifts, personalized embroidery and accessories to upscale your tailgating experience at the Cup.
Where to Dine
From fine dining to casual sports bars, Camden offers great options to fuel your race week festivities:
Sam Kendall’s 🥩Dine in this upscale American restaurant located in a restored 19th-century building, serving prime steaks, fresh seafood, and craft cocktails.
Steeplechase Sports Bar & Grill 🍔 Enjoy a casual yet lively race-themed atmosphere with cold beers, burgers, and classic pub fare in downtown Camden.
Bryleesima 🍝 Camden’s newest restaurant, offering authentic Italian fare including handcrafted pasta, stone cooked pizza, fresh seafood, house-made desserts, an extensive Italian wine list and handcrafted cocktails.
Blackmon’s “Little Midget” Drive In 🌭 No longer just a drive-in, Camden’s oldest continuously operating eatery is the place for homemade chili and pimento cheese, traditional Southern favorites, and loaded hot dogs.
Nightlife & Evening Hangouts
Keep the energy going after the sun sets with these great local nightlife spots:
Greener Pastures Brewing Co. 🍺 This locally owned craft brewery, restaurant, and event venue features handcrafted brews and cocktails along with brick oven fired artisan pizzas, smash burgers, and appetizers. Weekly specials and live music on the weekends are what makes this a great hangout for large groups.
Broad & Vine 🍷 A sophisticated wine bar and lounge in a beautifully restored bank building, offering an exceptional selection of wines and a relaxed, upscale environment.
Silver Leaf Cigar Lounge 🥃 A comfortable, premium lounge atmosphere where patrons can enjoy fine cigars, drinks, small plates and great conversation after at day at the races.
Gallery 537 🥂 This vibrant cultural and social gathering space is perfect for exploring local artistic flair and enjoying evenings of live music and entertainment.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Camden, SC – The City of Camden is pleased to announce the hiring of Jenny Waller Parrish as the city’s first Director of Tourism, a newly created position designed to enhance Camden’s growing tourism industry and promote the city’s rich historical heritage.
Parrish brings over a decade of tourism experience to Camden, most recently serving as Executive Director of the Olde English District Tourism Commission since 2020. In that role, she created and executed comprehensive tourism promotion and integrated marketing plans, managed cooperative marketing projects with partner organizations, and worked to formulate sustainable visitor economy strategies. Her extensive background includes serving as Industry Relations Manager for the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism, where she managed the annual SC Governor’s Conference on Tourism & Travel, and as VP of Destination Services for Visit York County.
Parrish holds a Bachelor of Science in Parks, Recreation & Tourism Management from Clemson University with a Travel + Tourism concentration. She is a certified Tourism Marketing Professional (TMP) and is currently completing her Certified Destination Management Expert (CDME) certification through Destination’s International, expected to be completed in the fall of 2025.
The creation of this position reflects Camden’s commitment to developing and expanding its tourism sector, which plays a vital role in the local economy. The Director of Tourism will be responsible for developing comprehensive marketing strategies, coordinating with local businesses and attractions, and creating initiatives to attract visitors to Camden’s historic downtown, Revolutionary War sites, and equestrian events.
“I’m thrilled to bring my tourism education and experience to the City of Camden and help spotlight all that makes it special. There’s so much potential here, and I’m eager to help share Camden’s story with visitors near and far, said Parrish when asked her thoughts on accepting her new position.
“Camden has so much character and charm, and I’m excited to be part of the effort to elevate it as a travel destination. I’m passionate about showcasing special places, and I can’t wait to show the world what Camden has to offer.”
Camden City Manager Matt DeWitt expressed enthusiasm about the new hire and the position’s potential impact on the community.
“We are thrilled to welcome Jennifer Parrish as the new Tourism Director for the City of Camden. Jennifer brings a wealth of experience from her years leading the Olde English District, where she consistently demonstrated her passion for heritage tourism and regional collaboration. Her deep familiarity with Camden’s unique history, charm, and visitor experience makes her an ideal fit to take our tourism efforts to the next level. With Jennifer at the helm, we look forward to elevating Camden’s profile as a premier destination in South Carolina and beyond.”
The Director of Tourism position was established as part of Camden’s strategic plan to capitalize on its unique historical significance, including its role in the Revolutionary War and its designation as a key stop along South Carolina’s Historic Trail. The city is home to numerous attractions including the Revolutionary War Visitor Center at Camden, the National Steeplechase Museum, and hosts the annual Carolina Cup steeplechase race.
For more information about Camden’s tourism initiatives, contact Jenny Parrish at 803-432-2421 or visit www.experiencecamdensc.com.
The South Carolina Ag + Art Tour returns to Kershaw County for one day only, Saturday, May 31st from 9 am to 4 pm. Join in this free, self-guided tour of farms and markets, and art spaces.
Experience farm living at Granny Creek Homestead, immerse yourself in art, see antique tractors and so much more at the Arts Center of Kershaw County and Camden Art Shoppes, and fill your belly and basket with farm fresh, locally produced items at Gorget Distilling Company and the Kershaw County Farmers Market.
The South Carolina Ag + Art Tour is now in its fourteenth (14th) year, and has 22 counties participating in 2025. This annual agritourism attraction is a great way to educate people about where their food and fiber come from and introduce them to local artisans.
“We are proud of the commitment of our farms, artisans, and county teams. Because of that, we can sustain continued growth,” says Will Culler, Clemson Extension Agribusiness Agent, and Tour Director. “One of our goals has been to give people a better knowledge of what is produced in their backyard and help them to support local businesses while making healthier food choices. This event does that by putting food and product with a face.”
The following sites will be featured in Kershaw County May 31st, from 9 am to 4 pm:
Granny Creek Homestead, 257 Payne Pond Road, Westville – Have you ever wanted to know how to start a small homestead or see where the goat milk soaps come from? Tour this 10-acre homestead and visit with the chickens. Or pet, feed and milk the Nigerian Dwarf goats and see demos from the farmers on site. Artisans will be on site as well.
Arts Center of Kershaw County, 810 Lyttleton Street, Camden – The artistic hub of Kershaw County, the Arts Center’s 3 acre campus is in the heart of Camden. See live demos including chair caning, fabric ice dying, basket weaving, and more! Other activities include tortoise and hare races, hosted by Pine Tree Hill Wildlife Rescue, all natural henna tattoos, and an antique tractor petting zoo. Food and beverages will be sold on site, including the award-winning Camden Jaycees BBQ.
Kershaw County Farmers Market, 906 Broad Street, Camden – 9 am-12 pm only – Voted #1 Farmers Market in South Carolina in 2023, this is a family-friendly (pets included) place to enjoy the very best of South Carolina-grown and made products. Locally-grown produce, meat and dairy products, fresh baked goods and desserts, artisan crafts, food trucks, and more.
Gorget Distillery, 1974-A Whiting Way, Lugoff – Open 9 am – 4 pm – Kershaw County’s only distillery and a member of the Certified SC Grown program, customers are able to tour the distillery, view the spirit making process and understand how it all starts, in the field, to end in the glass. Learn from the owners how their partnerships with local farms makes the whole process sustainable. Visit artisans and food trucks on site. Distillery Tours given every 30 minutes beginning at 10:00am.
Camden Art Shoppes, 1011 Broad Street, Camden, Open 9 am – 4 pm – This local artist cooperative gallery and retail space consists of 80 artists, some of whom produce art related to agriculture and farming. Here you will see demonstrations throughout the day, including Bob Ross style plein air in the morning, mosaics and felting inside the shops, beekeepers and antique tractors outside, and art of healing instructions using medicinal herbs and teas.
The City of Camden joins other communities across the nation in a national initiative in commemorating the April 17th-18th ride of Paul Revere, William Dawes, and other alarm riders, to warn Massachusettes villages that the British were coming. “Two Lights for Tomorrow” is a multi-state collaboration that calls for everyone to display two lights in homes, businesses, public buildings, and other sites to raise awareness and draw attention to our working together as a nation to ensure a better tomorrow.
Camden City Council issued a proclamation on April 1, 2025 endorsing this national initiative and calls “on all citizens to unite in remembrance of our shared history, honoring the sacrifices made by those who fought for our independence and reminding ourselves of the values we hold dear today.”
The City of Camden encourages all citizens to take part in this symbolic display by displaying two lights for all to see from April 14 to April 21 and to reflect on how those lights, symbols of the two lanterns hung in Old North Church in Boston to tell Revere and Dawes that the British were traveling across the water, will shine out in the darkness and illustrate our ongoing journey as a nation.
Family, friends and the community at large are invited to visit the African American Cultural Center of Camden, located at 517 York Street, as it hosts the winning student projects from the annual Heritage Tea program.
Each year, since 1987, the Arts Center of Kershaw County and its Multicultural Committee partner with the Kershaw County School District to encourage students in grades 3 through 8 to explore the history of prominent African American figures. And student submissions are hosted at the Arts Center of Kershaw County while the Multicutural Committee holds a blind judging of the submitted works. Without knowing students’ names or school, only grade, the Committee selects a first, second, and third place from each grade.
This year, the African American Cultural Center is excited and proud to host the winning projects, for family and friends of the students and members of the community to enjoy, through May 17, 2025. After which, projects will be returned to the students.
The African American Cultural Center is open Fridays from 1:00 to 4:00 pm and Saturdays from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at 517 York Street. For more information, contact kspadacenta@camdensc.org or call 803-432-2421 x1153.
Join in the festivities for CAMDEN’S BICENTENNIAL LAFAYETTE WEEKEND (March 7-9, 2025), with planned events beginning the week leading up to the reenactment of the Marquis de Lafayette’s 1825 visit to Camden. For details about local events taking place and for more information about the Marquis de Lafayette’s 1825 visit to America, please visit https://lafayette200.org.
So far, the following events have been planned for Camden:
March 2025: Lafayette Exhibit: Artifacts from Lafayette’s 1825 visit to South Carolina at the Camden Archives & Museum, 1314 Broad St, Camden. Free to the public.
March 2025: Silent art auction with a french flair, in honor of Lafayette’s visit, raising money for youth art scholorships. The auction is on-line for the month of March. Art is exhibited at Camden Art Shoppes Elevator Lobby Gallery, at 1011 Broad Street. See art and learn more here.
Monday, March 3 – Saturday, March 8th, 3pm: “Where’s Lafayette? A Historical Scavenger Hunt for Families” – Pick up the passport & instructions from the Kershaw County Library, 1304 Broad St. starting Saturday, March 1st. Sponsored by the Hobkirk Hill Chapter, NSDAR.
Tuesday, March 4th 12pm-1:30pm: “Lunch & Learn: Lafayette and the Rights of Man” – Bill Davies will help take us through this remarkable man’s life and his time spent in South Carolina. Bring your lunch! Revolutionary War Visitor Center, 212 Broad St, Camden. Reservations recommended. Free to the public.
Friday, March 7th & Saturday, March 8th: “Revolutionary Art Sale” at Artists Attic, 930 Broad Street. Meet local artists, see the work they do, and find that special something to take back home.
Thursday, March 6th 6:30pm: Regency Dance Lessons McCaa’s Tavern, Historic Camden Foundation, 222 Broad Street. Free to the public.
Friday, March 7th 10am-4pm: “Run to the Waxhaws” Battle Site Tour with Box Lunch. Departs from Historic Camden Foundation, 222 Broad Street. $75 pp. *ADVANCE TICKETS REQUIRED*
Friday, March 7th 5:00pm: McCaa’s Tavern Yard Supper featuring Half-Crown Bakehouse’s Provisions Plate. Live music and cannon firing at dusk. McCaa’s Tavern, Historic Camden Foundation, 222 Broad Street. $15 per plate. Cash Bar. Admission free to the public.
Saturday, March 8th, 10am: Lafayette Arrival Ceremony Lafayette arrives in an open carriage. Speeches from 1825 recreated. Mayor Vincent Sheheen will read the Lafayette Day Proclamation. Kershaw-Cornwallis House, Historic Camden Foundation, 222 Broad Street. Free to the public.
Saturday, March 8th, 10:30am: Parade through Downtown Camden, Broad Street to DeKalb Street to end at Bethesda Presbyterian Church, 502 East DeKalb Street. Everyone is welcome to join in! Estimated Distance = 1 mile. Free to the public. Saturday, March 8th, 11:00am: Laying of the Cornerstone for General DeKalb’s Monument. Lafayette and the Freemasons will reenact the ceremony from 1825 at Bethesda Presbyterian Church, 502 East DeKalb. Free to the public.
Saturday, March 8th, 12pm-2pm: French Wine Brunch at Broad & Vine, 1025 Broad Street. Join Neelie Edwards of ALEPH Wines as you sample 6 amazing French wines and enjoy a 5 course brunch. $50 per person, reservations required. Call 803-714-7898.
Saturday, March 8th, 12pm-4pm: Living History Open House at Historic Camden Foundation, 222 Broad Street. Living history demonstrations. Lunch will be available for purchase from Half-Crown Bakehouse. Historic Camden. $10 pp.
Saturday, March 8th, 1pm-3pm: Book Talk and Q&A Children’s Authors Jenny Cote and Libby McNamee and Lafayette, himself! Liberty Hall. Revolutionary War Visitor Center, 212 Broad Street. Free to the public.
Saturday, March 8th, 5pm-7pm: 1825 Dinner at McCaa’s Tavern cooked by Chefs Justin Cherry & Hugh China. Includes wine, port, and nonalcoholic drinks. McCaa’s Tavern, Historic Camden Foundation, 222 Broad Street. $100 pp. *ADVANCE TICKETS REQUIRED*
Saturday, March 8th, 7pm-9pm: 1825 Soirée at the Robert Mills Courthouse, 607 Broad Street. Live music, English Country Dancing with Mr. Steplively as the dance caller, cash bar, and refreshments served. Robert Mills Courthouse. $50 pp. *ADVANCE TICKETS REQUIRED*
Sunday, March 9th, 9:30am: Regency-style Breakfast at McCaa’s Tavern cooked by Chef Justin Cherry. During breakfast, we’ll give a talk on the Camden Burials Project. McCaa’s Tavern, Historic Camden Foundation, 222 Broad Street. Tickets are $20 pp. *ADVANCE TICKETS REQUIRED*
Schedule of Events
Schedule of Events
Where to Shop
Where to Dine
Nightlife & Evening Hangouts
