Fall for Greenville Resumes as Isaias Disrupts Regional Events

Hurricane Isaias disrupted festivals, public attractions and community gatherings across South Carolina and western North Carolina over the October 10 weekend, forcing organizers to cancel or reschedule outdoor activities because of heavy rain, strong winds and safety concerns. Fall for Greenville resumed in downtown Greenville on Sunday, October 11, with an expanded schedule from noon to 8 p.m. after Saturday's activities were canceled.

According to GreenvilleOnline, the festival's final day featured food from more than 60 restaurants, over 300 menu items, more than 50 beer taps and wine vendors, and live entertainment across seven stages. Organizers also adjusted the music schedule to accommodate performers following the weather-related cancellation.

Jimmy Rodriguez + #GVLdozadera was scheduled to perform Mexican-style salsa at noon on the Duke Energy Stage on the River, while Randomonium was set to close the event with an extended evening performance. The festival's return offered participating restaurants additional opportunities to serve customers after Saturday's lost business.

Organizers explained the initial cancellation in a statement published before the weekend's final day.

"While the main impacts of Hurricane Isaias are expected to move out of the Upstate this afternoon, lingering heavy rain is still possible this evening. For the safety of our guests, vendors and performers, all Bank of America Fall for Greenville activities for TODAY (10/10) have been canceled. Festival activities will resume on Sunday, October 11, with extended hours from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. to provide our participating restaurants additional opportunities to serve guests and recover sales affected by the weather.

Let’s make Sunday unforgettable! Join us in downtown Greenville to support our restaurants, performers and celebrate the final day of the festival together! Please stay tuned for additional updates and thank you for your understanding."

Fall for Greenville organizers said.

The festival operated as a cashless event, according to GreenvilleOnline, with vendors accepting major credit and debit cards. A cash conversion tent outside City Hall on Main Street allowed visitors to transfer cash to a payment card, although those cards were nonrefundable. City parking garages generally charged $10 for event parking, with exceptions at N. Laurens, Church and Riverplace.

The Greenville Zoo also temporarily closed on Saturday because of inclement weather but reopened to the public, FOX Carolina reported. Officials listed operating hours as 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the last admission at 4 p.m.

Before reopening, the zoo announced that its staff would remain on-site to protect the animals during the closure.

"The Greenville Zoo will be closed to the public today, October 10, due to inclement weather. Our staff will remain on-site to ensure all of our animals are safe and comfortable. Please stay tuned for additional updates." The Greenville Zoo said in a social media post.

Elsewhere in the region, Saluda Lake Landing canceled its Saturday Oktoberfest and announced that the property would remain closed throughout the weekend. Denver Downs also canceled Saturday's Fall Festival in Anderson County, citing weather-related safety concerns, and said it would provide an update about Sunday operations that evening.

Organizers postponed Anderson's Walk to End Alzheimer's and Columbia's corresponding event. As of Saturday, no replacement date had been announced for Anderson's walk.

The Town of Pendleton moved its Fall Harvest Festival indoors to Riverside Middle School, where activities were scheduled from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The relocation also eliminated planned road closures associated with the outdoor event.

Iva officials canceled Saturday's Depot Day and car show, announcing that both would be rescheduled alongside Jingle on Main on November 21.

In western North Carolina, flooding and wind concerns led to the cancellation of the Hendersonville Farmers Market for October 10, although three additional markets remained planned for the month. Mills River's Apple Country Engine and Tractor Association moved its Fall Harvest Day to Halloween.

Marion canceled its Mountain Glory Festival, while Waynesville called off the 43rd Church Street Art and Craft Show. Tryon International canceled Saturday Night Lights front-of-house activities, family entertainment and its local vendor market, but planned to proceed with Oktoberfest at a different location.