32nd Annual Belton Standpipe Heritage and Arts Festival

Considered one of South Carolina’s premier events, the Standpipe Heritage and Arts Festival takes place in the heart of the small South Carolina community of Belton, SC. Featuring local and regional entertainers offering live onstage acts, unique arts and crafts from all over the USA, local food venues, and more, this festival is the longest continuously running fall festival in Anderson County. We invite you to join thousands of our friends on the Square in Belton for a great celebration of hometown fun and entertainment on Saturday, October 6.

This year’s festival is sponsored in part by the City of Belton, Waste Connections, Clinkscales Chevrolet, Anderson County, and Superior Engineering. Admission and parking are free.

We love our pets too, but the festival is a pet-free zone due to DHEC regulations. Also, no scooters, bikes, or skateboards are allowed on festival grounds.

Pre Festival Events:
Friday, Sept. 28, 7 PM The Belton Center for the Arts presents the opening celebration of the 19th Annual Standpipe Heritage and Arts Festival Juried Art Show. Free to the public, join your friends and neighbors as you enjoy food, fellowship, and great artwork!

Saturday, Sept. 29, 7 PM Join us at the Belton Depot for an evening of favorite covers, show tunes, classic rock, gospel and a little bit of everything as the Combo Kings Take the Stage to benefit the Belton Area Museum Association. The concert is free to the community, but donations will be gladly accepted to fund new exhibits at the museum. No cover charge. 

Thursday and Friday, October 4 and 5 Education Days at Heritage Days at the Depot Over 2000 school children will enjoy interactive and hands-on instruction in the skills and artistry of our ancestors. School groups and homeschoolers will attend sessions from 8:45 – 2 PM each day. 

Friday, Oct. 5 – Sunday, Oct. 7 SC Men’s Collegiate Championships (Belton Tennis Center, Leda Poore Park, BHP High School, 8 AM – 5 PM) — Collegiate men’s tennis stars from many state colleges will be hitting the courts early Saturday for the South Carolina Men’s Collegiate Invitational which officially begins on Friday afternoon and runs through Sunday. The tournament is being held in memory of Big Jim Russell, a longtime tennis volunteer and official for USTA and collegiate events. Players from Clemson, SC State, North Greenville, Winthrop, Newberry, USC, Wofford, Furman, The Citadel, Presbyterian, Anderson University, USC Sumter, and Lander will be competing. Sponsored by the Belton Tennis Association. 

Festival Day, Saturday, October 6

Check in/Information Booths: (Belton Square, 9:00 AM – 7 PM) — At the 3 entrances to the festival, booths sponsored by BHP AFJROTC and the local Girl Scout troops are available for visitors to sign in and receive maps and schedules of all events.

American Legion Breakfast: (Campbell Street and O’Neal Street, 8 – 10 AM) — With a full sized breakfast at the Hut on Campbell Street and fluffy bisuits at their tent on the Square, the American Legion cooks will start your day off right! All proceeds benefit American Legion youth programs.

Standpipe Festival 5K Run & 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk – Starting location is Belton First Baptist Church parking lot, Brown Ave. One Mile Fun Run/Walk begins at 8:00 am; 5K Meter Run begins at 8:30 am. $20 Entry fee, t-shirts, and prizes. For more information, contact Renea Rowland at 864-338-1600. 

Open Car Show – (Belton Square, registration 8:30 AM – 12 PM, awards presentations at 3:00 PM) — Vintage and antique automobiles as well as newer models will be entered into competition for cash prizes and trophies. Overall winner and Top 20. $20 entry fee per vehicle. Cash prize raffle, door prize raffle, 50/50 raffle. Traditionally, over 100 cars participate each year in this renowned cruise in. Sponsored by Clinkscales Chevrolet.

Opening Ceremonies on the Main Stage: (Belton Square, 10 AM) — Free to the public; the Opening Ceremony begins at 10 AM with the Presentation of Colors by the B-HP AFJROTC followed by the “National Anthem” and introduction of special guests. Our venerable Belton City Council members will serve as our Masters of Ceremony.

SC Men’s Collegiate Championships (Belton Tennis Center, Leda Poore Park, BHP High School, 8 AM – 5 PM) — Collegiate men’s tennis stars from many state colleges will be hitting the courts early Saturday. Come check out their amazing skills and talent on the courts. 

Live Entertainment: (Main Stage, Belton Square, 10 AM – 7:00 PM) — Free to the public; various performances and demonstrations will take place throughout the day. Performers include the Belton Middle School Music IDEALS, the Honea Path Middle School Music IDEALS, the Beech Springs Praise Band, Adrienne Nicole, Wilson Banjo Company, and Tyler Jordan. Other presentations feature the Belton Rec Dancers and the Critter Keepers exotic animal show.

Belton Standpipe Heritage and Arts Festival Juried Art Show and Market (Belton Center for the Arts, 10 AM – 3 PM) — Free to the public; come see contemporary art representing all mediums and styles created by artists from three states. In addition, patrons are able to browse artwork for sale which benefits the BCA.

BCA Children’s Art Activities: (Belton Center for the Arts, Belton Square, 10 AM – 3 PM) — Free to the public; youngsters can enjoy creating fun fall crafts.

Children’s Play Area: (Belton City Square, 10 AM – 10 PM) — Inflatable bounces and games, fee for armband which entitles children to unlimited access. 

Pony Rides and Petting Zoo: (Library grounds, 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM) — Led by trained horsemen of the EZ Horsemanship Club, adults and children ages 3 and up can take a wonderful horse/pony ride for a minimal fee; exotic and farm animals will be on hand to feed and touch, to the delight of children of all ages. All proceeds benefit The American Heart Association.

Blood Mobile: (Breazeale Street, 9 AM – 2 PM) --While you’re at the festival, come give to a great cause. The Blood Connection will be available to take your blood donations to help victims of disasters around the South.

City of Belton Fire Truck Rides: (Belton Square, 1 PM – 8:00 PM) — $2 ticket for this fun ride; proceeds benefit the Fire Safety Education programs.

Library Activities: (Belton Branch Library Tent, 10 AM – 1 PM) — The Belton Library will be hosting a tent with activities for young and old alike, including making a personal bookmark.

Museum Exhibit—Portraits: An Historical Lens (Historic Belton Train Depot, North End Gallery, 10 AM – 4 PM) -- The exhibit features portraits from daguerreotypes to modern photography examples. Interesting stories and anecdotes are included about the people, both ordinary and famous, who appear in the portraits. Vintage and antique camera equipment is also on display. Interactive activities including a photo booth with historic clothing and accessories to wear, a selfie mosaic, and a mix and match facial collage make the exhibit fun for all ages. Sponsored by Spartan Photo Center, Anderson County, City of Belton HTAX, Walmart, and the Legacy of Anderson. 

Heritage Days at the Depot: (Greenspace surrounding Historic Belton Train Depot, 9:30AM – 3:30 PM) — Free to the public, this Certified SC Arts and Agriculture Event celebrates our folk heritage through demonstrations and presentations by 15 traditional skills artisans and historical interpreters. Presenters include a Civil War soldier, a traditional wood crafter, a luthier, herbalists, a sweetgrass basket sewer, a Native American silversmith, a quilter, a Gullah story teller, a Native American foodways exhibitor, a paper maker, a leather crafter, a decoy carver, a Catawba storyteller, an indigo dyer, and a tatter/lacemaker. Sponsored by First Quality, Publix, City of Belton HTAX, WebbCraft Family Foundation, the SC Arts Commission, the National Endowment for the Arts, SC Humanities, Waste Connections, Anderson County, Foothills Community Foundation, Darby Metalworks, Inc., Commercial Bank, BestBuy, Anderson County ATAX, Chick-Fil-A, McDonalds, KFC, and Hardees. 

BAMA Antique Market and Showcase: (Belton Depot, 10 AM – 4 PM) — The public is invited to browse through and purchase antiques offered for sale by acclaimed collectors. Located in the center section of the historic Belton Train Depot, booths will be selling items including collectible curiosities, hand-made jewelry, affordable antique furniture, china, glassware, southern pottery, silver, and many other items that would appeal to a wide range of collectors. 

Locomotive Tours: (Belton Depot, 10 AM – 2 PM)--All Aboard! Everyone is invited to hop on board a real locomotive. Pickens Railway personnel will be available to answer questions and hand out safety materials to patrons.

Historic Mule-Drawn Wagon Rides Through Historic District: (Belton Depot, Anderson Street Parking Lot, 10:30 AM – 5:00 PM) — Come take a leisurely ride through the historic district of the City of Belton as a guide narrates the history of its people and places. View the beautiful architecture, learn about the entrepreneurs and the town’s eccentric characters, and listen to interesting stories and fascinating facts of another age and time; cost per rider – Adults $5 each; Students $3 each; Under 3 free; Sponsored by Superior Engineering in support of the Belton Area Museum Association programs. Times to Board: 10:30 AM , 11:10 AM, 11:50 AM, 12:30 PM, 1:40 PM , 2:20 PM, 3:00 PM, 3:40 PM, 4:20 PM, and 5:00 PM.

Corn Hole Tourney: (In front of Belton Depot, 4:30 PM – 8:30 PM) Open to amateur teams of all ages, limited to 20 teams. Each team will vie for the chance to win a cash prize of at least $100 while having fun on Main Street. Single elimination tourney under the supervision of Richard Kelly. $10 entry fee. Proceeds benefit BAMA.

Tours of Historic Belton Standpipe: (Campbell Street, 11:00 AM – 2:00 PM) — Free to the public, these tours feature an entertaining look inside this historic structure which has been placed on the National Register of Historic Places and lends its name to the festival.

SC Tennis Hall of Fame Tours: (Belton Depot, 10 AM – 4 PM) — Free to the public. The SC Tennis Hall of Fame celebrates the achievements of SC’s famous tennis stars. There are mementos from all of the Hall of Fame inductees including such outstanding players as Dennis Van der Meer and Stan Smith, both Wimbledon contenders. All of the portraits of inductees are painted by internationally acclaimed artist Wayland Moore, a Belton native.

Food Vendors: (On the Square, 10 AM – 10 PM)–From fried fish to bratwurst, from barbecue to hot wings, from lattees to fried Twinkies, from Italian ice to chocolate dipped cheesecake, there’s so much variety, you can’t go away hungry. 

Lion’s Club Booth: (Belton Square, 10:00 AM – 5 PM) — Sponsored by Belton Lion’s Club, visitors can receive information about events and activities while checking out the famed Lion’s Club items for sale.

Craft Vendors: (On the Square, 10 AM – 10 PM)—Over 65 quality craft vendors will be selling everything from handmade items to the latest is styles and fads. 

T-Shirts Sales: Created by the Standpipe Committee and sporting the logo made famous by the Belton Bottling Company, the collectible commemorative Standpipe Heritage and Arts Festival shirts will be available in a limited quantity, $12 for t-shirts. Purchase at City Hall. 

BHP Bear Booster Club (On the Square, 10 AM – 4 PM) –The latest in attire and accessories for the avid Bear fan await you at this booth. Check out a fun surprise for all fans!

BMS/BHP Performing Arts Boosters: (On the Square, 10 AM – 4 PM)—cupcakes and soft drinks help this organization raise money. Go by for a sweet treat and a fun free activity for children.

Dance Party: (Belton Square, in front of stage, 6:15 PM)--Come check out the latest line dance craze, try your hand (and feet) at the state dance the Shag, and boogie along with some oldies. 

Headliners (Belton Square, 7:15 PM – 9:30 PM: The Eric Scott Band hits the stage with their classic sound and familiar covers. The popular upstate band based in Anderson plays country, rock and southern rock and a little extra if the mood strikes. Bring your lawn chairs and your dancing shoes!

Fireworks Display (Belton Square, 9:30 PM) — Sponsored by Waste Connections, your family will ooh and ahh as colorful fireworks burst over the historic Standpipe to end the festival.

Events subject to change. Check back for more details as 
events/activities are added.