SPRING FLING NEWSROOM

                                                                                               
32nd Annual Spring Fling Set for April 30 – May 2
“More Than Just Your Average Street Fest”

Spartanburg (April 20, 2010) Spring time is here and in Spartanburg that can only mean one thing - it's time for a FLING! Spring Fling, one of the Upstate’s largest outdoor street festivals, is always the first weekend in May. Thousands and thousands of people converge on Downtown Spartanburg for a weekend of fun. Spring Fling will be held in Downtown Spartanburg Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, April 30 – May 2.  Friday hours are 6 pm – 10 pm; Saturday is 11 am – 9 pm; and Sunday’s festival hours are 1 pm – 7 pm.

This 32-year Spartanburg tradition offers something for everyone. Festival goers can look forward to a professional bicycle race, lots of great shopping in the arts and crafts marketplace, savory food, tons of family-friendly activities, classic cars, an extensive lineup of great entertainment, and a whole lot in between.  (See schedule of events.)

Majestic. Powerful. Graceful. They are the Budweiser Clydesdales. And they will be appearing at Spring Fling this year. For over 75 years, they’ve embodied the Budweiser brand heritage, serving faithfully as ambassadors of the Great American Lager. “We are very grateful to Budweiser of Spartanburg for bringing these icons of American industry to Spring Fling,” said Mandy Merck, Special Events Manager. The Clydesdales will make 3 public appearances during their visit to Spartanburg. They will be at Music on Main on Thursday (April 29) from 5 – 7 pm and at Spring Fling on Friday (April 30) from 5 pm – 7 pm and Saturday, May 1 from 6 pm – 8 pm.

Entertainment is always a highlight of Spring Fling and this year is no exception. “We have over 80 acts scheduled on five festival stages during the three-day festival,” said Festival Coordinator Jane Warner. “There should be music to suit everyone’s taste – whether it’s rock, jazz, country, or pop.” Festival organizers are very excited about some young, up and coming national acts that will be appearing on the B93.7 stage located near the clock tower. “Vita Chambers and Jaicko, both pop artist will be performing on Friday night, and on Saturday night, we have Shontelle and Kevin Rudolf,” said Warner. “And Spartanburg native and Grammy award winner David Ball will be appearing on the WSSL 100 stage on Sunday.” Ball is releasing a new CD called “Sparkle City.” (See complete entertainment schedule)

Admission is FREE to the festival. There are tons of free activities as well, including all of the entertainment. While most Spring Fling events are free, be sure to bring some spending money....you won’t be able to resist the wonderful smells of all the festival food! You’ll also want to shop ‘til you drop from nearly 100 vendors who are coming to the Fling from all over the country. There are also lots of children’s amusement rides that the little ones will beg to ride over and over again!

Parking: Parking is plentiful all around the festival area. In addition to the on-street parking around the site, there are over 3,000 parking places in parking lots/garages in the immediate downtown area. And all parking is free!

Pet Policy: No pets are allowed. Wagging tails and festival crowds just don’t mix. Please leave your pets at home - for the safety of both patrons & the animals.

Alcoholic Beverages: Anyone wishing to purchase an alcoholic beverage must be 21 years of age and present a valid ID.

Street Closures: The festival covers several city blocks so numerous downtown streets will be closed starting early Friday (April 30) morning.  (See attached street closure listing)

Spring Fling would not be possible without the generous support of our sponsors. The City of Spartanburg is the Presenting Sponsor. Other Spring Fling sponsors include: Budweiser of Spartanburg, Coca Cola of Spartanburg, AT&T the Real Yellow Pages, COSTCO Wholesale, B93.7, Magic 98.9, South Carolina Education Lottery, Upstate Parent Magazine, Extended Stay Hotels, and Home Depot.

Spring Fling is produced by the City of Spartanburg’s Special Events Office.

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Spartanburg Regional Classic Criterium

Mark Your Calendar for Friday, April 30!!!

Often described as Nascar on two wheels, bicycling’s criterium racing is not for the faint of heart.  On Friday, April 30, Spartanburg will host an estimated four hundred professional and amateur racers, who will test their handling and endurance, riding close to 40 mph around tight corners and across cobblestone pavers on a half-mile course. 

The 6th Annual Spartanburg Regional Classic professional cycling race will be held downtown during Spartanburg’s largest annual festival, Spring Fling.  The course will loop around the BB&T tower, following Main Street, Church Street, Broad Street and Converse Street. 

The Classic is one of eight criteriums (best defined as a closed-circuit, multi-lap cycling race) included in the USA CRITS Speed Week series.  The series boasts more than $150,000 in prize money and attracts top national racing teams and international racers.   

Races begin at 3:45 pm with amateur and junior races.  The women’s professional race will start at 6:30.  Team Spartanburg’s Children’s Fun Ride Race and Big Wheel Race will be held at the Public Library parking lot at 6:45 pm.  All ages of children are invited and distances will be age-specific.  The grand finale event, the Men’s Pro race, is at 8:00 p.m. 

The event is free to the public.  If spectators are interested in dinner and drinks, tickets to the VIP hospitality tent are available for $20 per person at the race.  The VIP area is set at the corners of Liberty & Main Streets.

This race plays an important role in the community-wide health initiative, Bike Town, which earned Spartanburg the national designation as a Bicycle-Friendly Community.  Since 2005, the miles of bicycle lanes in Spartanburg County have more than quadrupled and the number of bicycle racks has increased fivefold (now more than 150).  The local bicycle lending program, Hub Cycle, tripled its service to the community within two years, jumping from 53 transactions in the first fiscal year, to nearly 160 in the next, and walking and bicycling to school in Spartanburg County is growing.

Visit www.biketownspartanburg.org for more information and for a list of other Bicycle Month activities.

Thank you to our event sponsors!!
Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, Freewheelers of Spartanburg, Milliken & Co., City of Spartanburg, Contec, ProAxis Therapy, Vic Bailey Subaru, Zimmerli Foundation, Phifer-Johnson Foundation, USCU Foundation & the Johnson School of Business, All Saints Church, Bella Latte, Bike Worx, Coca Cola of Spartanburg, Spartanburg Convention & Visitors Bureau, Mid-South Management, Palmetto Cycling Coalition, RJ Rockers, Safe Kids of Spartanburg, Spartanburg Parks Commission, Spartanburg Young Professionals, Spartanburg Journal, Team Spartanburg, Yoga’s Open Heart, Great Escape

Laura Ringo
Executive Director
Partners for Active Living
864.598.9638

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