Are you looking at screens too much? How about your children? Do you wish you could just get outside and enjoy being together? If you said yes, you need to read on to find out about a great program that will help you build relationships and forget all about your screens.
Thank you to the YMCA of Greenville for sponsoring this article.
(more…)In October, one of Greenville’s top events for safe trick-or-treating is the annual Enchanted Forest at the Pavilion. Our Kidding Around Greenville Facebook fans came to the rescue with lots of great information on why Enchanted Forest is one of the top spots for trick-or-treating in Upstate SC.
For even more safe trick-or-treating options, be sure to check out our Trick-or-Treating List for Greenville!
(more…)Do you have a child at home who loves trains? If you haven’t been to the huge train show at the Mauldin Cultural Center, put it on your calendar for mid-September. This FREE event is a must-see and must-do train spectacular you’re going to love!
NOTE: Because of COVID-19, this train show at the Mauldin Cultural Center has been postponed. They may do it in the Spring of 2022 to check back here!
(more…)Have you ever been to children’s theater? Perhaps you think your child is too young or too active to enjoy a stage production featuring all children. Kidding Around’s Deborah took her four-year old to South Carolina Children’s Theatre’s production of Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse, and she is eager to share her experience, and why you need to get to one of these shows this Saturday.
(more…)Monster Jam is coming to Greenville this weekend and families are super pumped – as they should be because the show is awesome. Ginormous trucks speed around the arena, smashing cars, flipping over, doing wheelies, and generally living out all our craziest driving fantasies.
But what’s it really like driving those trucks? Even better, what’s it like being a woman and driving Grave Digger? Luckily for our readers, we got to talk to Krysten Anderson ahead of this weekend’s Monster Jam about her experience as a Monster Truck driver and smashing everything from cars to the glass ceiling.
Kidding Around Greenville: What drew you to wanting to drive a Monster Truck? How can a regular person become a Monster Truck driver?
Krysten Anderson: My dad created Grave Digger in 1982 so he’s a pioneer in Monster Trucks and my brothers drive the trucks as well. I’ve always been around Grave Digger so it was a normal thing for me and I didn’t realize how popular it was until I got older. My two older brothers were always into racing and motorsports so it was expected they would drive – but not really for myself. Initially, I was going to go to school for art and wanted to get a job designing the trucks but then Monster Jam called me when I turned 18 and asked me if I wanted to drive Grave Digger – they never had a female drive that truck and to this day, I’m still the only one.
It’s possible that fans can become drivers who have some kind of mechanic inclination. Go to MonsterJam.com and submit a resume with Feld Entertainment. Also, a motorsports degree is being offered at the University of Northwestern Ohio (UNOH) and Monster Jam has been recruiting from that program, so that’s another way to get into it.
KAG: Do you have a hard time driving standard cars on the highway? Do you instinctively want to drive over the cars in front of you?
KA: I’m kind of a fast and aggressive driver who is strictly business, wanting to get from point A to point B. I drive a Jeep Wrangler so it’s one of the bigger trucks. If I could get in my Grave Digger on the highway, I totally would.
KAG: Monster Jam is fairly male-dominated. What’s it like being a woman in that environment?
KA: Growing up with my dad and three brothers, my whole life has been male-dominated so it doesn’t make me uncomfortable being in this environment and I’m not intimidated. I feel like I can definitely bring the competition. My brothers didn’t treat me like a princess and treated me as one of their own, which really helped me be the female competitor I am today.
I’m in the top four competitors on my tour right now and there are plenty of females taking home big wins on Monster Jam. It’s a pretty good year for the girls.
KAG: Do you date much? Guys are probably either really intimidated or really intrigued, right?
KA: My boyfriend, Tyler, is actually another Grave Digger driver who is touring in California. If I had to date again, I have no idea how I’d break the ice with what I do. Tyler was intrigued and we’ve been dating for three years and he hasn’t been scared away yet.
KAG: What’s the biggest thing you’ve smashed with a truck besides the glass ceiling?
KA: Every time we come out, we always have crushed cars from a Toyota Camry, trailers, SUVs, you name it.
KAG: And what’s the most memorable reaction you’ve gotten from a kid when they find out you’re a Monster Truck driver?
KA: Best reactions are from little girls and their moms. People expect men when they come out to Monster Jam and I love seeing little girls coming through the line with their Grave Digger shirts. The moms that come to me after the show or online to thank me for inspiring their little girls are so meaningful. I love that their little girls see me and are inspired to do things they may not have considered before.
Want to see Krysten driving in person? Monster Jam is at the Bon Secours Wellness Arena on Friday, February 8th at 7 pm and Saturday, February 9th at 1 pm and 7 pm. Tickets available here or at the box office.
Are you looking for a fun way to meet other moms with shared interests in the Upstate? Did you miss the Kidding Around Spartanburg & Spartanburg Parks event last fall, and want to be part of the fun the next time? Here’s your chance!
We are very excited to announce our next collaboration event with Spartanburg Parks. We invite moms in the upstate to join us on Saturday, March 30th from 3-6 for a “Mom Mixer’ event at Cleveland Park.
(more…)Are you looking for a festive way to spend a December weekend with your family in Greenville? I had the opportunity to take my daughter to see South Carolina Children’s Theatre’s production of The Best Christmas Pageant Ever this weekend. After seeing it, I am delighted to share with Kidding Around readers why this play is a must-see this holiday season!
Looking for the perfect Greenville County school option for your family? Christ Church Episcopal School is a wonderful choice and one families in the Upstate should consider when looking at schools in our area. Read on for more details on why CCES might just make a great choice for your family!
Thank you to Christ Church Episcopal School for sponsoring this website post.
The Greenville area is home to many excellent schools and parents have an overwhelming array of educational institutions they can choose from to meet their child’s needs. But really, as a parent, where do you start and how do you know if you’ve made the right decision in the end?
One school in Greenville stands out from others because of some incredible accomplishments. Christ Church Episcopal School (CCES) has a 100% college acceptance rate. In 2017, they were ranked #1 Best Private School in South Carolina by Niche.
And they still have a few remaining spots open for the 2018-19 school year. It’s not too late to tour or apply.
But first, here is why CCES is so awesome.
While academics are paramount to a classical education at CCES, the school also has a state-of-the-art Performing Arts Center, a service learning program and 44 diverse athletic teams.
Class sizes are small, averaging one teacher for every ten students. And the staff at CCES are dedicated, experienced, and instill in the students a love of lifelong learning. Seventy percent of all CCES faculty members hold advanced degrees so students are in capable hands.
In the Lower School, learning is based on the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Program (PYP) where students learn how to research and present their knowledge to parents and peers. In Middle School, an emphasis is placed on skills that help students excel in both the academic and personal environments. Leadership, critical-thinking, and team building are foundational and students have multiple opportunities to engage in extracurricular and off-campus programs.
In the Upper School, students are offered more than 150 courses, including 22 Advanced Placement (AP) classes, where credits can count towards college classes. The classes are demanding and challenging yet prepare students to do well in college as they develop a wide array of skills needed long after they leave CCES.
CCES introduced their significant strategic plan, Cultivating Deep Roots and Abundant Growth, last fall. Staff studied other successful schools across the country and analyzed their own programs to see what they could do differently to move the school forward, challenge the students, and ultimately graduate young adults prepared to face college and exceed their goals.
The aim is to “equip all students for success in meeting the challenges and seizing the opportunities in the 21st Century,” said a school official.
CCES is developing wellness programs, integrating college preparation across grades, fostering a growth mindset and resilience in students through curriculum mapping and curriculum additions. They are also implementing the successful Lucy Calkins Writing curriculum, among others. One of the most influential literary educators in the nation, Lucy Culkins developed a curriculum that encourages teacher modeling, one-on-one learning, and independent writing.
As a Christian school, CCES values serving others and giving back to the community and encourages that same spirit in their students. When I was in high school, I couldn’t wait to get out of the classroom and into my community for service projects. By encouraging the same values in their students, CCES is helping to develop and nurture giving hearts throughout the school.
Age-appropriate projects are given to students at each grade level and they are encouraged to volunteer and recognize on their own how to serve based on what they experience. For example, some students from CCES volunteered at a local soup kitchen and realized the importance of having soap. They started a collection at school for soap and other hygiene-related items so they could bring them all back to the soup kitchen.
CCES is a member of the South Carolina High School League and the school encourages participation and performance at a high level. Sports offered include football, tennis, field hockey, volleyball, golf, lacrosse, softball, baseball, basketball, cheerleading and wrestling.
The Performing Arts Center at CCES is ahead of the curve when it comes to nurturing that creative spirit in students. CCES has talented faculty specializing in drama, music, theatre, and the visual arts, all ready to aid students to cultivate their inner Shakespearean character, Broadway musical star, Picasso, or Bruce Springsteen.
CCES is a faith based educational institution rooted in the Christian, Episcopal tradition and students attend weekly chapel services. Many of the school traditions stem from the CCES mission and “experience”. However, CCES embraces students from a spectrum of religious beliefs and welcomes them all into the CCES family.
CCES has great reviews from parents and students. It’s easy to see that families really love the school and understand the value of a Christian education for their children.
A senior at CCES wrote: “I transferred to Christ Church sophomore year from a big public school. I enjoy the close knit community. I know all my teachers, and all my teachers know me. I have made a great group of friends. Also, CCES prepares you greatly for college and their classes challenge you to be your best.”
“CCES has provided a warm, nurturing environment for our kids to excel. They are academically challenged and involved in both team sports as well as academic clubs. One of the common comments heard from students as well as parents is how involved the faculty and administration are in their lives. Teachers go out of their way to teach, coach and mentor each student, truly taking a personal interest in them,” wrote another parent of two children who graduated from CCES.
Want to check out CCES at an Open House? Mark your calendar for Thursday, October 4th at 9:30 am and 6:00 pm.
To learn more, visit:
Christ Church Episcopal School
245 Cavalier Drive, Greenville
864.299.1522
Visit the CCES on Instagram or Facebook.
Have you considered Christ Church Episcopal School for your kid’s education?
Are you planning on attending the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018 and looking for all the information you need for your visit? Do you live in the Upstate region and are considering attending the games? We have put together this comprehensive guide that will give you all the information you need for the 2018 Games in Tryon including where to stay, where to eat, where to park, and what else you can do in the Tryon area.
Update 9/12/18: PHOTOS from the first day of competition are here. A FREE Community Day is happening at the games on Monday, September 17th as well. There are no competitions that day but everything on the grounds – including kids activities like the carousel- are open!
Half a million spectators are expected to flood into North Carolina in September for one of the largest horse competitions in the world, the FEI World Equestrian Games™ Tryon 2018 (WEG) in Mill Spring, NC.. The economic impact is enormous, which could trickle into the Upstate’s economy – organizers expect the games to generate $400 million into the greater Carolinas.
John Lummus is president and CEO of Upstate SC Alliance and told the Upstate Business Journal that he “anticipate[s] a great deal of eyes will be on Tryon and nearby communities like Asheville [N.C.], Greenville, Spartanburg, and the surrounding retreats.”
In a word, these games are going to be huge. They are happening at the Tryon International Equestrian Center in Tryon, NC, only an hour from Greenville. This is the place that our readers just love! They have Saturday Night Lights events over the summer that are free of charge and include lots of kid-friendly activities like a carousel, face painting, pony rides, magicians, and a horse show.
The World Equestrian Games™ are held every four years in the mid-Olympic cycle, the largest event of its kind. The events showcases the core disciplines of reining, vaulting, driving, endurance, dressing and para-equestrian dressage, show jumping, and eventing.
The games happen from September 11-23. The 2014 games in Normandy attracted over 1,200 horses, almost 1,000 riders and 575,000 spectator. Again, this is huge.
Each discipline will have its own competition and a schedule of events are here. If you’re not familiar with horse competitions, here is what each discipline means in regular people terms:
Dressage is actually an Olympic sport and has been compared to ballet, where horse and rider work together to create a beautiful performance in tune with music of the rider’s preference.
Driving is probably the most exciting for the spectators as they watch a three-man team navigate four horses that are pulling a carriage through a specially designed course that includes water obstacles and sharp turns. The phases for the driving competition are split up into three days: Dressage, Marathon and Cones.
Endurance is exactly as it sounds: a test of both horse and rider through 100-mile course to challenge the speed and endurance of both. Mandatory rest periods and vet checks are enforced to ensure the welfare of rider and horse.
Eventing is another Olympic discipline that tests the jumping, dressage, and endurance of horse and rider over a three-day period of competition.
Jumping is the third Olympic discipline, and arguably the most popular, as it showcases the rider’s ability to control the horse as it soars over obstacles.
Reining is the only western discipline for these games and looks most like what rodeo horses do when they spin, ride in fast circles, and pull off immediate stops. This competition will happen at the indoor arena at TIEC.
Vaulting is essentially gymnastics on a horse and has its origins in the circus. There are individual, team, and freestyle competitions where the rider performs gymnastics moves on the back of the horse as it rides.
Para-Equestrian Dressage is the same as dressage except riders are scored by their division of functional abilities. The bond between horse and rider are perhaps even more evident as these special athletes demonstrate the relationship with their horse.
Yes, but some more than others. At Saturday Nights Lights, the horse competition is usually jumping and dressage and spectators are requested to stay quiet as to not spook the horses. It’s pretty amazing though to watch but sometimes the smaller kids have trouble keeping quiet.
But other disciplines are more conducive to louder environments and are exciting for the kids to cheer along. For example, Reining events encourage a loud and rowdy crowd. The Cross-Country phase of Eventing and the Marathon phase of Driving are done in an open, outdoor atmosphere and is exciting as spectators watch horses galloping through.
And Vaulting – gymnastics on a horse – is performed to might and often includes colorful costumes, both of which kids will likely love.
Kids are welcome at all events though so don’t be shy about checking out one that sounds like your family will love. Also, Reining and Vaulting are performed indoors, which could be great options if it’s a hot day. There are covered seating in the big arena outside as well.
All tickets include entry to the World Equine Expo™, which includes lot of fun activities and a kids zone. You can also buy these tickets separately.
Tickets are sold for individual disciplines, day passes, weekend passes, and all access passses. They can be purchased online. Tickets include access to all the grounds, restaurants, vendors, exhibitions, and entertainment. Parking will be an extra fee, which has not yet been released by the organizers.
Children two years old and younger are free but must sit on the lap of a ticket holder. If parents or guardians want that child to sit by themselves, they need to buy a ticket for them.
Day passes start at $20 per person. Individual competition passes start at $30 and some include more than one day and time for that individual competition.Passes for individual competition qualifiers are more expensive, upwards of $300. For the bad daddy of tickets, the All Sessions Full Games Pass is $1,380.
All tickets bought online are charged a service fee (8.5%) and sales tax (6.75%).
The Tryon International Equestrian Center (TIEC) is only an hour from Greenville but maybe you want to stay up there for a few days or you have friends coming to town and want to check out the area near the games. There are certainly places to stay near Tryon, from hotels to AirBnbs and apartments. The official games website has a listing page of all area rentals that you can view here.
For a family-friendly place that has activities everyone can enjoy, Lake Lure is 18 miles from where the games are held. A quick Google search turns up several cabins, resorts, and vacation rentals in the area. This local website has information on where to stay as well. If you’re the outdoorsy type, there are several campgrounds in the area like Rutherford Mountain, Hitching Post, Hickory Nut Falls, or Creekside Mountain.
Asheville is an hour away from the TIEC so staying there is also an option for visitors. Hendersonville is a 30-minute drive away and other nearby towns are Landrum, SC, Flat Rock, NC, and Saluda, NC.
Many Greenville and Spartanburg hotels have reported rooms are already filling up for those dates so if you’re thinking of getting out of town and offering your own home for VRBO or Airbnb, maybe you can make some money during the games by hosting visitors.
There are several places to eat on site at the TIEC. From full restaurants to coffee shop and general store, they have it.
Blue Ginger Sushi & Noodles: traditional sushi, rolls, sashimi and more
Campagna Italian Cuisine: wood fired pizza, Italian grill
Legends Grille: Seafood and steak
Roger’s Diner: classic diner fare, milkshakes, gluten free and diary free options
Siesta Cantina: Mexican cuisine, tacos, burritos, salads and margaritas
Mane Street Coffee: pastries and treats, serving North Carolina’s Larry’s coffee
The General Store: Ice cream, deli, along with groceries and donuts
Nearby Columbus, NC is about 8 ½ miles from Tryon. Google maps says that’s about an 11 minute drive, and there are a number of restaurants in Columbus. Here are a few with top reviews!
Mountain View BBQ & Deli: This Columbus favorite serves pulled pork, bbq ribs, brisket and more
Southern Manners: Open for breakfast and lunch, sandwiches, pastries, milkshakes
The Brick Pizzeria: Pizzeria with a variety of appetizers, salads and traditional Italian dishes
Rutherfordton, NC is a little farther from the Equestrian Center but at 12 miles away (an approximately 20 minute drive) it is still a good option for a meal. We’ve listed a few with great reviews.
Rutherford Thai: Popular Rutherford restaurant serving Thai food for lunch and dinner
Mi Puebltio: Mexican restaurant serving salads, nachos and combos loaded with traditional Mexican favorites
Scoggins Seafood and Steakhouse: Lobster, prime rib, steaks, chicken, salad bar, and a lot more!
General parking will not be available at the TIEC for this event. Parking will be available at nearby lots with shuttle service. It will not be free parking. More information on parking is still To Be Announced, check the World Equestrian Games™ FAQ page for updated parking information.
If you are looking for fun things to do in addition to attending the World Equestrian Games™, you have several nearby options. Tryon is a lovely town with art galleries, golfing, and picturesque views – you can easily spend a day just exploring the town itself! Here are some ideas to make the most out of your visit:
The area surrounding Tryon offers excellent hiking and outdoor adventures. For example, families should check out The Gorge in nearby Saluda for an amazing zipline canopy tour. If a zipline tour over the gorge is out of your comfort zone, head to Pearson’s Falls for hiking and scenic waterfall views or to Chimney Rock State Park for amazing views of Western North Carolina.
September is the ripe apple-picking time, and Western North Carolina is home to several outstanding apple orchards where you can pick your own bushel. Sky Top Orchard in Flat Rock is a popular venue for families.
Tryon is situated close to two super fun children’s museums. Kid Senses Interactive Children’s Museum is located in nearby Rutherfordton, and Hands On! Children’s Museum is located in nearby Hendersonville. Both are only a short car drive away from the equestrian center. Additionally, if your kids near to run off some energy indoors, Mountain Play Lodge is close by in Arden.
Within minutes of the TIEC are several award-winning wineries, such as Mountain Brook Vineyards, Parker-Binns Vineyards, Overmountain Winery, and others, that offer wine tastings and more. To get an idea of where to start, check out the WNC Wine Trail. It will tell you where to find the area’s best wineries.
The location of the World Equestrian Games™ could not be any better. Your family can hop in the car and tour several nearby towns and popular tourist destinations, such as the Biltmore Estate in Asheville. Plus, Tryon is only 40 minutes from Spartanburg, South Carolina and 1 hour from Greenville, South Carolina. Visit Kidding Around Greenville and Kidding Around Spartanburg to find out the many fun things to do with kids here. We’d love to have you visit the place we are proud to call home!
Will your family visit Tryon for the World Equestrian Games™ this September?
This website post was a collaborative effort by Kidding Around Contributors Kristina Hernandez, Jennifer Curry and Maria Bassett.
Looking for family fun this week? South Carolina Children’s Theatre’s Madagascar, A Musical Adventure is playing at the Peace Center’s Gunter Theatre. My son and I saw the show this morning and we’re going to tell you all about this fun performance filled with music, comedy, dancing and fun for all.
Thank you to our sponsor the South Carolina Children’s Theatre for providing tickets to this performance so we could review this great show for our readers!
If you’ve seen the Dream Works Animation Motion Picture, Madagascar the story line of SCCT’s Madagascar, A Musical Adventure will be very familiar. Alex the lion, Marty the zebra, Gloria the hippo and the hilariously hypochondriac Melman the giraffe are on display at the Central Park Zoo in New York City. Spurred on by the ideas of those famous plotting penguins, Marty decides to head via train for the wilds of Connecticut. However, as his friends follow to rescue him they all get a little more than they had bargained for as they end up on a ship. Thanks to the penguins meddling, the animals find themselves washed up on a beach in Madagascar where they learn being in the wild is a lot different than the zoo. They meet the famous lemur King Julian, enjoy some dancing and hospitality. But what Alex the lion really wants is a steak, not seaweed on a stick. And the more hungry he gets, the more his friend Marty, the zebra, starts to look like a steak.
My son’s favorite character in this show was Melman the giraffe. His constant remarks about MRIs, colds, sciatica nerve pain and more really added many layers of humor to the performance. We also liked his costume and the platform shoes that made him just a bit taller than his friends. The costumes in general were pretty creative, and if truth be told, the costumes, lights and sets was the thing that my son talked about the most after the show. He’s 8 years-old and loved to figure out how things work. That just goes to show you, there’s something for everyone at SCCT’s productions!
We also really enjoyed the penguins and King Julian’s “I Like to Move It” song. I remembered this song most from the New Year’s Eve Countdown Netflix puts up each year featuring King Julian. Because my kids don’t just watch it once to ring in the New Year. We have to watch over and over and over, because they think it is so funny. Anyway, the choreography for this dance was really fun, and they even performed it again at the end of the show and invited the audience to stand up and dance, too.
We think children of all ages would enjoy this show. The performance lasts about an hour with no intermission, so if your young child would have difficulty sitting that long, this might not be the best show for them. Also, a mom note: The dialogue in the play uses, “What the heck!” several times which is not a phrase allowed in my house. Realizing all parents are different, with different rules and expectations, I just wanted to point that out.
The South Carolina Children’s Theatre is performing Madagascar at the Peace Center’s Gunter Theatre on the following dates. You can purchase tickets here. They cost $18 for children and $27 for adults.
June 17th, 1:30 pm
June 17th, 5:30 pm
June 23rd, 10:00 am
June 23rd, 1:30 pm
June 24th, 1:30 pm
Have you seen a South Carolina Children’s Theatre production?