While residents and artists alike relish the creativity of Saluda’s Arts and Music Festival this Saturday, May 21, organizers will continue planning for the town’s next big event, the 48th Coon Dog Day.
Organizers and town officials discussed the festival at the last town council meeting.
The event will be held Saturday, July 9 from 8 a.m.-11 p.m. As part of the festivities there will be food, live music, a parade, crafts, a street dance and vendors.
Saluda Commissioner Leon Morgan said, “It’s going good, we’ve got the 5k run set up. I think it’s doing very well – we’ve had more donations this year than we have before. The more donations we get the less it costs the city,” Morgan said.
Morgan said he believes it’s a good homecoming-type experience for the community and those who have moved away.
“It’s kind of a hometown, family-oriented event,” Morgan said. “We don’t have everybody here at the same time but it is an all-day event no matter what you enjoy.”
What began as a chicken supper fundraiser for the local Coon Club has grown to attract more than 10,000 people each year.
Bright and early, many runners will take off in the Coon Dog Day 5K run through historic downtown. Live entertainment will begin taking the main stage at 9 a.m. and will continue until the end of the street dance at 11 p.m.
A quirky mixture of homemade floats, tractors, horses, motorcycles, dogs and of course, the Coon Dog Royalty Court plans to parade down Main Street at 11 a.m. Organizers plan to give awards for the best floats in several categories.
The Coon Club continues to conduct their shows and contests at the schoolyard in the afternoon.