Are you ready for a long weekend? Labor Day 2021 kicks off tonight, Sept. 3, with First Friday, a downtown Anderson event featuring longer retail hours, in-store specials and live entertainment and hot air balloons taking to the skies over Williamston, Pelzer and West Pelzer marking the 4th Annual Hot Air Affair: Rising Above Cancer.
Many downtown Anderson retailers will remain open tonight until at least 8 p.m., with several offering a First Friday special. Here’s a list of participating merchants:
- Carolina Bauernhaus, 115 Federal St., Offering drink specials
- CocoBon Chocolatier, 111 N. Main St., Specials vary each month
- The Kitchen Emporium, 418 N. Main St., Specials vary each month
- Figs Cafe & Farmacy, 200 N. Main St., Specials vary each month
- Palmetto Distillery, 200 W. Benson St., Specials vary each month
- Bay3 Artisan Gallery, 110 Federal St., Specials vary each month
- The Olive Shoe, 125 E. Whitner St., Specials vary each month
- Indigo Custom Framing, 305 N. Main St., Specials vary each month
- Groucho’s Del, 129 E. Whitner St., Kids eat free
- Electric City Brewing, 109 E. Calhoun St., Specials vary each month
- Ladies on Main, 120 N. Main St.,Specials vary each month
- Tracie Starr Home, 314 S. Main St., Specials vary each month
Presented by City of Anderson Economic Development, First Friday on Sept. 3 also will feature HornTraXX performing live on Main Street. The Central-based, high-energy band specializes in dance music across all age groups.
Anderson County Farmers Market
The Anderson County Farmers Market will be open on Saturday, Sept. 4, from 8 a.m. until 1 p.m. at 402 N. Murray Avenue in downtown Anderson. The market is ADA accessible and is open rain or shine.
4th Annual Hot Air Affair: Rising Above Cancer
Beginning tonight, Sept. 3, the skies of Williamston, Pelzer and West Pelzer will be filled with hot air balloons as the Hot Air Affair: Rising Above Cancer celebrates its 4th year. In addition to hot air balloons, attendees can enjoy a Kids Zone, Trackless Train, RC Plane Display and food trucks.
Friday, September 3 – Sunrise 7:04 AM, Sunset 7:53 PM
- 7:00 AM Hot Air Balloon Flight Window for Media opens at ACTC with Aerospace Students
- 5:00-9:00 PM Kid’s zone, trackless train, Kens BBQ, Retro Snow, RC planes and Fire Trucks
- 5:45 – 7:53 PM Hot Air Balloon Flight Window at Williamston Ballfields
Saturday, September 4 – Sunrise 7:05 AM, Sunset 7:51 PM
- 7:05 AM Balloon Flight Window opens
- 8:00 – 10:00 AM Propane at Williamston Ballfields
- 5:00-9:00 PM Kid’s zone, trackless train, Kens BBQ, Retro Snow, RC planes and Fire Trucks
- 5:00 PM Pink Fire Truck
- 5:45 – 7:51 PM Hot Air Balloon Flight Window, Williamston Field, Anderson, Pelzer, West Pelzer flight locations
Sunday, September 5 – Sunrise 7:06 AM, Sunset 7:50 PM
- 7:06 AM Hot Air Balloon Flight Window opens, Williamston Field, Anderson, Pelzer, West Pelzer flight locations
- 5:45 – 7:50 PM Hot Air Balloon Flight Window at Anderson Balloon Field and Williamston Field
- 8:00 PM Hot Air Balloon glow
Monday September 6, 2021 – Sunrise 7:06 AM, Sunset 7:48 PM
- 7:06 AM Memorial Flight: Hot Air Balloon Memorial Flight Window opens at Anderson Field
Celebrate Anderson
Anderson’s largest, free outdoor concert is back in 2021 and will be held on Sunday, Sept. 5, at Anderson Sports & Entertainment Center.
This year’s event includes a Celebrate Fun Zone for children from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. Amphitheater gates open at 5 p.m. and music begins at 6 p.m. Fireworks will follow the show at 9:30 p.m.
Celebrate Anderson 2021 features Country music singer John Michael Montgomery. Montgomery has more than 30 singles on the Billboard country charts – seven reaching number one: I Love the Way You Love Me, I Swear, Be My Baby Tonight, If You’ve Got Love, I Can Love You Like That, Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident) and The Little Girl.
Opening for Montgomery is Anderson’s own Easton Gowan, winner of the inaugural Anderson Sings, Anderson County’s first virtual singing competition presented in 2020 by the United Way of Anderson County. The T.L. Hanna Jazz Band also will perform.
Here’s a list of things you need to know if you plan to attend Sunday’s event:
