For most people hot dogs and apple pie are patriotic icons as much as an American flag waving on the fourth of July. Saludians would include Coon Dog Day as an American icon and would forget that it’s not a national holiday, just a Saluda holiday.

 

This time of the year, all the talk about town is about what guests are coming, what food to prepare, purchasing tickets for the pancake breakfast, where we are going to park, who is going to be in the parade, who is entering the 5K/Fun Walk, what’s the weather going to be like, and the buzz goes on and on.

 

The town is staged for the 52^nd annual Coon Dog Day, this Saturday, July 11. American flags are waving from the poles, dedicated city workers are mowing and mulching park areas and city streets, Pace Park pavers have been laid, a stage will be parked along Main Street, and a banner will stretch across Main Street welcoming all to Saluda’s annual holiday.

 

Even though this isn’t a national holiday, in Saluda, it is a family reunion of sorts. For more than five decades, summer folks and visitors have enjoyed this fun-filled festival that is as American as apple pie to Saludians!

 

Events

 

7 a.m. – City Hall Information Tent

Coon Dog Day Posters – $10 each

Coon Dog Parade Winners will be announced immediately following the parade.

 

8 a.m. – Coon Dog Day 5K Race/Fun Walk

Go to imathlete.com/Coon Dog Day 5K Race/Fun Walk to pre-register online. Registration for the 5K Race/Fun Walk begins at 6:30 a.m. and ends at 7:30 a.m. at The Party Place & Event Center. The awards ceremony will be held at the city’s information tent in front of city hall immediately following the race/fun walk.

 

8 a.m. – Benefit Breakfast at the Saluda Masonic Lodge

Provided by Polk County Unit #482 on Ozone, this hearty breakfast includes eggs, grits, sausage or bacon, biscuits, gravy and drink for only $6 per plate.

 

11 a.m. – Parade
The parade starts from Saluda School on Main Street and ends at Carolina Street.

 

12 p.m. – Lunch at Saluda First Baptist Church on Henderson St.

Chicken dinner served with potato wedges, green beans, rolls, dessert, and drink for only $10 per plate.

 

1:30 p.m. – Meet Josh Owens & Bill from “The Moonshiners” TV Show on Main Street

 

Coon Dog Events

Coon Dog Events are held at the Saluda School Ball Field and are sponsored by the Central Carolina Benefit Coon Club.

12 p.m. – Bench Show ($15 entry fee)

2 p.m. – Treeing Contest ($5 entry fee)

7 p.m. – Night Hunt ($20 entry fee)

 

Art
Local artists will be in the Saluda Center at 64 Greenville St. to demonstrate their talents.  Amusements for all ages will be located in the Top of The Grade Park.

 

Entertainment

Below is the schedule of on stage entertainment (Main Street)

8:30 – 10:30 a.m. James Metcalf & Colt Creek is Saluda’s own gospel bluegrass group

9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Jonah Riddle, a talented banjo player, and Amanda Patterson, who sings acoustic versions of your favorite Americana songs, will fill-in between acts.

10:30 – 11:00 a.m. The Dancer’s Extension leads everyone in a Flash Mob

11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Coon Dog Day Parade with Grand Marshall, Dr. George Jones

12:30 – 1 p.m.  McGuire’s Pipe Band sponsored by Historic Thompson’s Store & Ward’s Grill

1:15 – 2:45 p.m. Sound Investment plays beach & classic rock loved by all ages

2:45 – 3:15 p.m. Barney Fife & Thelma Lou are brought to life by Ronnie & Elease Felker

3:15 – 5 p.m. Folsom Prison Gang with a musical tribute to Johnny Cash

5:15 – 6:15 p.m. The Katts is a duo from Tennessee who plays bluegrass, folk, & country music

6:30 – 7:45 p.m. Jack Roper & the Weatherman Band plays beach and soul music

8 – 11 p.m.  Lonesome Road Band plays for the Street Dance with caller Archie Hardy

 

 

Sponsors

Coon Dog Day sponsors include:
Dunlap Construction
Autumn Care Nursing & Rehab
St. Luke’s Hospital
River Street Networks
Macon Bank
Tryon Daily Bulletin
Mountain River Tap & Growlers
Don Mintz Builders

Historic Thompson’s Store & Ward’s Grill
Crawley, Lee & Company, P.A.

 

More information:
cityofsaludanc.com or 828-749-2581

 

-Compiled from staff reports, and submitted by Cathy Jackson

 

 

 

 

Please use as many/or all of the photos as possible. This caption can go with any of them.

Caption: Coon Dog Day is a time-honored mountain tradition. This year’s event begins with a 5K (drawing upwards of 400 participants) and parade through town, along with live music and food vendors. Next is the judging of dozens of coonhounds and a few other canine varieties, plus a treeing contest.