Log InCome-See-Me Festival: Seeing What All the Hype is About
POSTED ON April 12, 2023 | BY Zters
The 2023 Come-See-Me Festival is in full swing and excitement is in the air (along with all of that springtime pollen). Held in Rock Hill, South Carolina, this annual festival is a celebration of community, arts, and entertainment. It has a rich history and has been ranked among the top things to do in South Carolina.
This year’s festival appears to be bigger and better than ever before, with over 80 events scheduled throughout the 10-day celebration. From live music to chalk drawing to running races to beer tasting, there’s definitely something for everyone. If you’ve never heard of the Come-See-Me Festival or are hoping to catch the last few days, we’ve gathered some facts.
Celebrating Over 60 Years of Fun
The Come-See-Me Festival has been a beloved tradition in Rock Hill since 1962, when a group of local businessmen came up with the idea of hosting a festival to promote the city and its businesses. Among those early developers was Rock Hill resident Vernon Grant, better known as the creator of the iconic cartoon cereal mascots, Snap, Crackle and Pop. Grant also designed Come-See-Me’s amphibian ambassador Glen the Frog.
The first festival, originally known as the Come-See-Rock Hill Festival, was held in 1962 and was an instant success, drawing in large crowds from the surrounding areas. It was originally a two-day event, featuring a parade, beauty pageant, street dance, and a variety of other activities.
Over the years, the festival has grown and evolved, and it has become one of the largest and most popular events in the region. In 1983, the festival was renamed the Come-See-Me Festival, and it was expanded to a ten-day event. The festival now features over 80 events and activities, including live music, food and beverage vendors, arts and crafts, sporting events, and much more.
When Is The 2023 Come-See-Me Festival?
The 2023 Come-See-Me Festival is running from April 6-15, 2023. During these 10 days, Rock Hill is buzzing with activities and events for people of all ages. For those visiting from out of town, the festival partners with local hotels to secure discount rates.
What Is There to Do?
With over 80 activities packed into this 10 day festival, a better question is: what isn’t there to do at the Come-See-Me Festival? Here’s just a small taste of what the festival has to offer:
- Fireworks Extravaganza
- Teddy Bear Tea Party
- Wiener Dog Race
- Cycling event
- Hops at the Park
- Chalk on Main
- Fishing tournament
- Golf tournament
One of the signature events of the Come-See-Me Festival is the annual Frog Jumping Contest. It has been a part of the festival since its inception and draws competitors from all over the country. Competitors bring their own trained frogs to compete in a variety of categories.
Live performances are a major draw at the festival with music concerts and theater productions bringing in huge crowds of all ages. The 2023 Come-See-Me festival kicked off with a concert at the beautiful Winthrop Lake. Throughout the week, there are free concerts by local musicians around the city.
For families and children, there are carnival rides, games, and other fun activities at the Kids Zone, as well as a variety of arts and crafts workshops for children to explore their creative side. For those who love outdoor activities, the festival offers plenty of options as well. The festival’s signature event, the Come-See-Me Road Race, will take place on the first Saturday of the festival.
Foodies will be delighted to know that the festival has a wide range of culinary delights to offer. There are food trucks, a beer garden, and a Taste of Rock Hill event, where visitors can sample dishes from some of the city’s best restaurants.
Of course, no festival would be complete without a parade, and the Come-See-Me Festival has a fantastic one. The Grand Parade will take place on the final Saturday of the festival. It’s a colorful and festive event that features floats, marching bands, and community groups.
This post is part of our ZTERS Around Town series, where we highlight popular local events nationwide. ZTERS is not affiliated with the events listed.