Second Saturday Tryon Gallery Trot fun continues as art galleries and businesses in downtown Tryon open their doors on July 13 from 5-8 p.m.  Fantastic entertainment is offered, thanks to generous grants from the Polk County Community Foundation, with carriage rides, music and magic!

The clock tower and St. Luke’s Plaza on Trade Street mark the center of the action.  Free horse-drawn carriage rides by Carolina Carriage of Landrum will start from there and carry passengers to various locations in town participating in the Trot.  Live music with John Edney’s band “Loaded Toad” will play in the center of town throughout the evening.  Magician Keller O’Neil, “The Southern Charmer” will perform his family friendly program for people passing by.

Besides the extra entertainment, trotters can expect a wide variety of art in the galleries by some of the area’s top artists, as well as unique and high quality merchandise available from our local merchants.

Managers of some of the galleries and shops extend the following invitations,

• “Please join us to celebrate the talent of many local artists offering handmade jewelry, pottery, specialty plants, custom lighting and more. Featuring music by Lynda Terrell, pianist,” says Erin Thompson, owner of Thompson’s Gallery.

• “We will have classical guitarist Zachary Thorne Allen. Wine, cheese, refreshments,”  says Alivia Rochester, manager of The Book Shelf.

• “We will host the opening of our new exhibit, Big Blooms featuring the recent works of illustrator turned fine artist, Dave Capalungan. Dave will be present to answer any questions and to discuss his work with you,” says Kim Nelson, owner of Skyuka Fine Arts.

Some additional highlights of the Trot in Tryon:

• Vines & Stuff, located in the Shops of Tryon will be featuring work by Elaine and Claude Graves of Little Mountain Pottery.

• Memorial Exhibition for the works of Guntram Gersch opening on July 13 at Tryon Fine Arts Center.  This exhibition and silent auction will conclude on July 20th with all  proceeds from the sale benefiting  Hospice of the Carolina Foothills.  Visit http://www.guntramgersch.info/ for more information on the work of this internationally known abstract painter.