MARLBORO COUNTY — Autumn is finally here and if you are looking for some fun, local outings to enjoy with the family, here are some nearby suggestions to consider.
For the foodies out there, the Taste of Marlboro and Clio’s Taste of Society are both coming this fall.
A Taste of Marlboro is back for its second year and will be Thursday, October 29 at local favorite, McArthur Farms from 5:30 until 8:30 p.m. Scotland Health Care System is presenting the annual Marlboro Chamber of Commerce hosted event. Tickets go on sale October 1. Anyone interested in more information, being a sponsor, or a chef—please contact Chamber President Alexa Boan at [email protected].
Chamber Chair Gage Speight says the Chamber has been looking ahead towards planning this event all year and cannot be more excited.
“We are looking forward to having the community come together at such a beautiful and intimate space, just like last year’s Taste at McArthur Farms. We are so thankful to Rebecca McArthur for letting us use her space as our venue once again. She and her staff make it so fun! We are also thankful for Scotland healthcare system, who always supports the Chamber. We are especially grateful to have them as our headlining sponsor, alongside the City of Bennettsville, who are sub headlining the event.”
With tickets going on sale October 1, Speight cautions against waiting to secure yours, saying the Chamber is projecting to sale around 300 tickets. He said, “The event will feature between 25 and 30 local chefs— we expect a memorable night of tasting unique foods, desserts and drinks.”
Clio’s Taste of Society will be Friday, October 2, at 6 p.m. this year and will feature a brand-new menu: a large oyster roast paired with a delicious low-country boil, low & slow cooked BBQ, and plenty of amazing appetizers. Tickets are disappearing fast so be sure and snag yours at: www.ClioSC.com/tickets.
Mayor Adam Pate says he is looking forward to another amazing night of community in Clio.
“We are so excited for the Tast of Society! Each year it is always a fun, elegant, and culinary experience. This year we are changing the menu up but the event will still be held on the beautiful grounds of Ivy Gate, which always makes me think of a Southern Living Magazine cover,” Pate said, adding, “The Taste of Society is a great time to gather under the stars right in the midst of our downtown. I often imagine Clio residents having the same style of gathering 50-60 years ago and we are looking forward to another amazing night.”
Mayor Pate says the dress code for Taste of Society is “snappy, casual attire.”
If a carnival atmosphere is more your vibe, the next day is Clio’s annual Clio Cotton Festival Saturday, October 3 from 10:00 a.m. until 4 p.m., and will be held at the Clio Elementary School.
This year’s Clio Cotton Festival has an exciting lineup of entertainers that includes Marlboro County Steppaz, Risky Steppas, Academy of Movement 2, and featured band Next Level Band of Charlotte, among others. As always, the event will include a variety of foods, drinks, craft vendors, face painting, bounce houses, and so much more!
One of the longest standing festival in Marlboro County, Mayor Pate says he is also looking forward to a celebration that promises to be one for the books!
He said, “The Clio Cotton Festival is always a great time and fun for all ages. Returning again this year is the Next Level Band of Charlotte. They played at our Ribs and Rods Festival and were a huge big hit. As always, there will be a great selection of craft and food vendors. We hope and everyone will come out and support the town of Clio on our big day.”
Another special day in Clio is also soon arriving around the corner: Clio’s Family Day on November 14 and Mayor Pate also announced that Clio’s annual Thanksgiving Dinner is scheduled for November 21 and Clio’s Christmas Parade is coming up on December 6.
Don’t forget to stop by the Scarecrow Festival at the Marian Edelman Wright Library, Saturday, November 7. Running from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., this yearly event promises a fun-filled afternoon of local vendors, car and bike show, local live entertainment and lots of kid-oriented activities to ring in the new season. A favorite every year, the kid’s train ride will be back along with bouncy castles and games. A free event, the Scarecrow Festival, is given as an annual gift to the county by the Marian Wright Edelman Library.
Another annual area treat is McColl’s Down’s Manor Haunted House, located on East Tatum Avenue and run by professional haunters Steven and Julie Downs. Originally from Georgia, the couple and their son Aiden have spent the last two summers transforming the family backyard into a themed haunted house. Halloween 2026 features a frightening blend of Irving Washington’s “Legend of Sleepy Hollow” and the real-life Salem Witch Trials.
The Downs ask only for a $5 donation from adults while kids can be terrified free of charge. Down’s Manor Haunted House comes to life October 1 and will run every Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m.
The City of Bennettsville is hosting a spooktacular Halloween Party, Saturday, October 31 from 4 – 7 p.m. at the Community Center. The event will feature an afternoon of trick-or-treating, crafts, dancing, music, games, prizes— even a costume contest, so be sure to look your most frightful!
Several Halloween activities are still in the works to celebrate the holiday, and the Herald Advocate will have more information on where the season’s little goblins and ghouls can score candy as it becomes available.
Things to do on the road
Chesterfield County’s A Taste of Patrick is Thursday, October 8, from 6-9 p.m. at Turnage Field, located at 207 Turnage Street, Patrick. Admission is $15 and children under 10 are free. A variety of delicious foods will be provided by participating businesses, organizations, churches, community leaders and friends. Live music by the Blue Night Band will also be provided. Tickets will be available at the gate.
Chasing Time Farm Festival, located at 2006 Midway Road, Cheraw, is Saturday, October 24 from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Families can spend an enjoyable day participating in an on-site petting zoo, train rides, horse rides, face painting, local vendors and food trucks. Adults are $5 and children can get a Fall Fun Pass for $10, which includes one pumpkin, and one ride on either a horse or the barrel train.
On Thursday, October 1, a decorative display of scarecrows will line Main Street Dillon. Entirely free to enjoy, folks can drive through or decide to stop and take a spooky selfie or two.
Also in Dillon, a Jack-O-Lantern Jubilee will be held at the Festival Market Place on Railroad Avenue Friday, October 30, from 6- 10 p.m. Free admission gets you into this fall community celebration featuring fall festivities, lights, entertainment, seasonal family activities and vendors.
The town of Conway is once again transforming into Halloween Town, offering a month of scary fun family activities and plenty of seasonally decorated opportunities to capture memories on film. During the month of October, Conway will have pumpkin patches, decorate your own skeleton, music, live entertainment, a Children’s Halloween Pirate Ship and much more. Information regarding dates and times can be found at CITY OF HALLOWEEN, SC.
Now in its seventh year, Westminster, SC’s Bigfoot Festival, returns Saturday, October 10, when Bigfoot, enthusiasts, entertainers and vendors take over downtown Westminster. The event promises to have something for everyone, even the skeptics! A family friendly street festival with free admission, the South Carolina Bigfoot Festival features plenty of Bigfoot lore, merchandise opportunities, vendors, music and contests.
Over in Lexington, SC, they are gearing up for the annual Fall Fairy Market, held at Flora & Fauna Marketplace, an open-air market located at 4773 Sunset Boulevard, Lexington. This whimsical event runs from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m., Sunday, September 27, and will have over 35 curated artists, crafters and bakers.