Santee Cooper Country

Promoting Berkeley, Calhoun, Clarendon, Orangeburg & Sumter Counties since 1968

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2008 Santee Cooper Country

Calendar of Events



JANUARY
1.1.2008 Elder Hop (New Year's Day Celebration) - Memorial Plaza Sponsored by Orangeburg County on AgingContact: 
(803) 531-4663
1.4-5.2008 - 41st Grand American Coon Hunt  Orangeburg Fairgrounds - For information call the Orangeburg County Chamber of Comerce (803) 534-6821
Jan - Dec., 2008 third Sat. each month, Elloree downtown sidewalk sale. Contact Chasity Canady (803) 897-2821.  clerk@elloree.com

FEBRUARY
2.28-3.1. 2008 Celebrate General Francis Marion Memorial: American Revolutionary Living History Encampment, & Re-enactment, Summerton, SC: 803-478-2645; www.francismariontrail.com

MARCH
3.8-2008 - Lake Marion Dam Run - south end of Hwy. 260, Manning. (803) 435-5200
3.8-2008  @ 1PM - Shuckin in the Park - Old Santee Canal Park, Moncks Corner. Join us for the 6th annual oyster festival. Enjoy food, games, and music. Mary Bell (843) 899-5200
3.13-2008 - Captain’s Choice Spring Golf Tournament - Tri-County Chamber - 1-800-788-5646
3.21-22.2008 Governor's Frog Jump - Town of Springfield, SC Friday and Saturday before Easter.  Entertainment, food, games, frog jump, egg strike and egg hunt.  Contact: Springfield Town Hall -   (803) 258-3152
3.22.2008 - Elloree Trials - Great day of tailgating and horse racing.  Call (803) 897-2821 for information.
3.2008 - State Catfishing Tournament
Two day tournament at Randolph’s Landing in Manning. Nick Lucas(803) 478-2152

APRIL
4.2008 - Sumter@Six Summer Outdoor Concert Series.  Second Thursday of each month, Brody Pavilion, downtown Sumter. 6-8 p.m. Beach/variety music, food and drinks, fun for the entire family.  Free admission.  (803) 436-2640.
4.12.2008 - A Taste of Clarendon - Food and entertainment.  Clarendon County Chamber (803) 435-4405
4.12.2008 -Carolina Backcountry Springtime Come see what it was like to live during Sumter’s founding in 1800 through living history demonstations. (803) 775-0908
4.19.2008- Purple Martin Festival -  Walk/Run, Parade, Arts/Crafts, Pet Show, Entertainment, Concessions-all on the grounds of the Courthouse and Annex. Children's games and rides, petting zoo,space walk, etc. Call Jane Dyches, Calhoun County Chamber of Commerce for time schedule (803) 655-5650
4.18-19.2008 - Elloree Porkfest - Joe Miller Park.   Contact Chasity Canady (803) 897-2821.  clerk@elloree.com
4.18-20.2008 - First Santee Birding & Nature Festival.  Children’s activities, bird walks, kayak/canoe trips, photography workshops, exhibits and more. For information call (803) 478-2271
4.25-27.2008 - Scottish Country Fair hosted by the Sumter County Museum.  Dillon Park.  Celebrate Sumter County’s Celtic heritage with music, games, heavy athletics  (803) 775-0908.
4.25-26.2008 - Clarendon County Striped Bass Festival  The festival day includes a parade, children's games, arts & crafts, delicious food, street band & dancing, and the popular catfish wrestling.  It's a fun-filled family event! Clarendon County Chamber (803) 435-4405
4.2008 - 14th Street Rods Unlimited Show 14th Annual Super Santee Saturday Street Rod Show.  Santee Outlet Mall (803) 854-4445

MAY
5.1-4.2008 African-American Cultural Festival - The Black Cowboy, Man or Myth.  Greenfield Farms, Rembert, SC.  Explore the lives of the black cowboys!  (803) 499-9658
5.2-4.2008- Orangeburg Festival of Roses - Three day event. Edisto Memorial Gardens - Parks & Rec. Dept. (803) 533-6020. Held to celebrate the beginnning of the rose blooming season. Food, crafts, and entertainment. (803) 534-6821 Chamber of Commerce
5.24.2008 - Trash to Treasures - Elloree - 10am to 6pm.   Contact Chasity Canady (803) 897-2821.  clerk@elloree.com
5.29-31.2008 - 6th Annual Bluegrass & Country Music Hoedown - Santee - 3 days of live music & entertainment - 10 to 12 bands.  Free Lone Star BBQ & Merchantile (803) 854-2000.
5.2008 - Sumter Iris Festival.  The irises are in full bloom and so is the fun at SC’s oldest continuous festival!  Arts and crafts, food, music and more.  For more information, call (803) 436-2640.

JUNE
6.7-8.2008 - Santee Amature Golf Tournament - Santee Cooper Resort Golf Course. Two day tournament. Tri-County Chamber 800-788-5646
6.27.2008 - “Key Ingredients” exhibit from the Smithsonian - Elloree Heritage Museum. Contact Adadra Williams (803) 897-2821

JULY
7.4.2008 - Jammin July 4th - Dillon Park, Sumter (803) 436-2640
7.28-29. 2008 Summer Invitational - Santee Cooper Country Club- Todd Miller (803) 854-2467

AUGUST
8.2.2008 - 33rd Annual Big Daddy Fishing Tournament - Mother or Father fishing with child 12 and under. Free. Every child goes home a winner. Santee State Park  (803) 854-2408
8.23-29.2008 - 18th Annual Juried Art Show Old Santee Canal Park, Moncks Corner.  Mary Bell (843) 899-5200
8.28-30.2008 - 6th Annual Lone Star Bluegrass & Country Music Jamboree - Santee - 3 days of live music - Free (803) 854-2000

SEPTEMBER
9.13-14.2008 - 7th Annual Tractor Show Two days at the Berkeley Museum in Moncks Corner - features all sorts of antique tractors. Also, antique cars and, hit and miss engines. Carolyn Pilgrim (843) 899-5101
9.9.2008 - 7th Annual Kiwanis Golf Tournament - Lake Marion Golf Course - Santee - 4 person captain’s choice.  Shot Shuler (803) 854-2553
9.26-28.2008 - Raylrode Daze - Three Day festival in Branchville. 40th annual which commemorates Branchville's railroad heritage. Call Tom Jennings (803) 274-8831
9.2008 - National Catfish Tournament Two day tournament out of Randolph's Landing in Manning. Call Nick Lucas (803) 478-2152

OCTOBER
Early Fall - 4th Annual Bowman Harvest Festival - Beauty Pageant, parade, vendors, rides, dancing in the street, gospel singing.
Contact:  Town of Bowman at 803-829-2666
10.12.2008 - 1pm - Greater Santee Business Expo.  2pm to 5pm Santee Outlet Mall (803) 854-4445
10.4.2008 - 9th Annual Pickin in the Park - Old fashion bluegrass music. Enjoy music,
dancing & food. Call Mary Bell (803) 899-5200
10.7-11.2008 - Sumter County Fair - Annual county fair with midway open 3pm to midnight daily.  Ed Hudson (803) 775-5200
10.17-18. 2008- Antiques and Arts Festival - Downtown Elloree - antiques, art vendors, tractors, food and more. Contact Chasity Canady (803) 897-2821.  clerk@elloree.com
10.8.2008 - Captain’s Choice Spring Golf Tournament - Tri-County Chamber - 1-800-788-5646
10.11.2008 - Carolina Backcountry Harvest - Sumter County Museum learn what it was like to live during a simpler time when we worked the land.  Living history demonstrations
(803) 775-0908
10. 17-18, 2008: 6th Francis Marion/Swamp Fox Symposium @ DuBose Campus /Central Carolina Technical College Manning, SC: 803-478-2645;  www.francismarionsymposium.com

NOVEMBER
11.8-9.2008 - 6th Hill’s Landing Catfish Tournament - 2 day tournament at Hill’s Landing in Cross (843) 753-2731
11.2008- Lights of Winter Celebration - Elloree - two days - celebrate the start of the Holiday Season, lighting of downtown trees. Call John Singh (803) 897-2821
11.8.2008 - Carolina Backcountry Oyster Roast - Sumter County Museum (803) 775-0908
11.2008-1.2009 - Lighting of the Children's Garden Christmas and Kid's Walk - Runs thru January 1, 2009 - Edisto Memorial Gardens, Orangeburg - Thousands of lights including still and animated displays for children of all ages. (803) 534-821 Orangeburg Chamber

DECEMBER
12.1-31.2008 - Swan Lake Fantasy of Lights - The gardens come to life nightly in a twinkling holiday wonderland Over 1 million lights.  Swan Lake Iris Gardens, West Liberty Street (US 763), Sumter.  Dusk until 10 p.m. nightly.  Free admission.  (803) 436-2640
12.2008 - Springfield Defends Fruitcake - Old Springfield Highschool, Call for information and dates Sylvia Hiers (803) 258-3764
12.15.2008 - Carolina Backcountry Christmas - Sumter County Museum  (803) 775-0908
12.20.2008 - A Small Town Christmas - Contact Chasity Canady (803) 897-2821.  clerk@elloree.com

SITE OF AMERICA’S FIRST CANAL
900 STONY LANDING ROAD
MONCKS CORNER, SOUTH CAROLINA 29461
843-899-5200

OLD SANTEE CANAL PARK EVENTS
CONTACT:    Mary S. Bell      Brad Sale
PHONE:    843-899-5200
FAX:    843-761-7032
E-MAIL:    parkinfo@santeecooper.com
WEB ADDRESS:    www.oldsanteecanalpark.org

Yellow Ribbon Camp
A camp for children with loved ones in military action overseas.
Saturday, January 26, 2008

Old Santee Canal Park is happy to offer a fun day at the park for children with a parent, grandparent or sibling in Iraq, Afghanistan, or elsewhere overseas. Our exciting day camp is packed full of fun games, crafts, and activities.

For the children, canoe in our swamp as we learn about its importance to nature and history! Grab a net and bucket and scoop for some of the insects, fish and other small critters that call it home. Get your picture taken as you handle one of our snakes or turtles from our live animal collection. We will play games, games, and more games with friends, new and old! Make a craft to send overseas.

For the parent or guardian, pictures will be taken all day, and then posted online for you and your soldier to see. A prepaid mailing box is also included to send crafts, pictures, etc. to your soldier. Relax; knowing your child is in great care with our experienced and energetic staff. Call the park for any questions or to register, as space is limited

TIME:                                      9 a.m. – 3 p. m.
PROGRAM FEE:                      $2 per child
PRE-REGISTRATION:            Wednesday, January 23, 2008
MEETING PLACE:                     Learning Center
AGE LIMIT:                          Elementary School Children grades 1 -                             5
CLASS SIZE:                         12
CONTACT:                            Brad Sale
Bluebird Program
Saturday, February 9, 2008

Now is the time for one of the more celebrated songbirds to return to your backyard! The bluebird is a wonderful sight for birders and non-birders alike, and February is a busy time. The males will begin searching ideal cavities for nesting. In this program we will discuss the natural history, mating rituals, and what you can do to attract these beautiful birds to your backyard. Plus what YOU can do to help them raise their young. For an additional fee, you can build a bluebird box here to take home!

TIME:                                      1 p.m. – 2 p. m.
PROGRAM FEE:                      $5/program, $15/program & bluebird                                 box
PRE-REGISTRATION:             Friday, February 8, 2008
MEETING PLACE:                     Interpretive Center
AGE LIMIT:                          All ages; adult supervision for box                                 building
CLASS SIZE:                         20
CONTACT:                            Brad Sale
Story Time and Crafts
Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Come enjoy some toddler time with your child (ages 3 to 5) as we read a story and make a Valentine craft for that very special valentine and one for our feathered friends too!

TIME:                                      10 a.m. – 12 Noon
PROGRAM FEE:                      $5
PRE-REGISTRATION:            Tuesday, February 12, 2008
MEETING PLACE:                     Interpretive Center
AGE LIMIT:                          Children ages 3 to 5 with an adult
CLASS SIZE:                         12
CONTACT:                            Mary S. Bell
Kids Who Care – Project Competition
Saturday, February 23 though Tuesday, March 4, 2008

Come look at the project competition from the Berkeley County Kids Who Care.  The mission of Kids Who Care is to the raise the environmental ethic in Berkeley County by administering an environmental project competition in the schools and working as a resource to upgrade environmental science teaching.  The results will amaze you!!

TIME:                    9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
PROGRAM FEE:                Free with regular park admission
PRE-REGISTRATION:            None
MEETING PLACE:                Interpretive Center
AGE LIMIT:                None
CLASS SIZE:                N/A
CONTACT:                     Mary S. Bell
Welcome Back Spring! Canoe Trip
Saturday, March 1, 2008

The beginning of March means warmer weather, budding trees, and animals returning to the swamp. What better way to welcome back the beginning of spring than in a canoe! Enjoy a naturalist guided trip through Biggin Swamp to the Old Santee Canal where we will witness firsthand the changing of the season.

TIME:                                   1 p.m. – 3 p. m.
PROGRAM FEE:                      $15
PRE-REGISTRATION:             Wednesday, February 27, 2008
MEETING PLACE:                     Interpretive Center
AGE LIMIT:                            13 years and up
CLASS SIZE:                           15
CONTACT:                              Brad Sale
9th Annual Shuckin’ in the Park Oyster Roast
Saturday, March 8, 2008

It is never too early to mark your calendars for the 9th Annual Shuckin’ in the Park oyster roast.  There will be activities for the children, including a jump castle.  Food tickets can be purchased inside the gate.  Entertainment will be by the Custom 4+2 Band featuring beach music, oldies and popular music.  Small coolers are allowed, but PLEASE no pets and tickets are NOT redeemable for food.

TIME:                        1 p.m. – 6 p.m.
PROGRAM FEE:        $3 / $5 – March 10th
PRE-REGISTRATION:        N/A
MEETING PLACE:        All through the park   
AGE LIMIT:        None
CLASS SIZE:        N/A
CONTACT:                        Troy Diel   
Spring Break Fun Day
Wednesday, March 19, 2008

What are you going to do with the kids during Spring Break?  Old Santee Canal will offer a day filled with crafts, nature walks, education activities and a whole lot more!  The only thing your child will need is a lunch, and we’ll take care of the rest.  Designed for children ages 5-8 (K-3rd grade only).  Bring a lunch and wear clothes that can get dirty.


TIME:                    10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
PROGRAM FEE:                $20 per child
PRE-REGISTRATION:            Required by Wednesday, March 12th
MEETING PLACE:                Learning Center
AGE LIMIT:                Children ages 5 - 8 (Must be in Grades                                 K-3rd    only)
CLASS SIZE:                20
CONTACT:                    Mary S. Bell
Basket Class
Saturday, March 29, 2008
An oval desktop or table top basket designed by Dorinda Harmon, our instructor, will be done in this class. Perfect for holding mail and similar items or for decorative use only. Students may choose from several finished rim treatments. Bring an old towel and lunch to class
TIME:                    10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
PROGRAM FEE:                $20
PRE-REGISTRATION:            Required by Wednesday, March 19th
MEETING PLACE:                Learning Center
AGE LIMIT:                Adults and mature teens
CLASS SIZE:                12
CONTACT:                    Mary S. Bell


Old Santee Canal Park is off of U. S. 52 By-pass (R. C. Dennis Blvd.) in Moncks Corner.  For more information about these programs, please contact Mary S. Bell or Brad Sale at 900 Stony Landing Road, Moncks Corner, SC  29461, or call 843-899-5200.  Check out our web site at www.oldsanteecanalpark.org.

MSB: 1/14/08