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Festival might adopt a theme that's more sports oriented Bowling and basketball tournaments are among the new events that could be held as part of next year's South Carolina Peach Festival. The festival's executive committee members suggested a bowling tournament and a 3-on-3 basketball tournament could be new events for the 2008 version of the festival. A band competition, carnival, race and downtown family festival are other ideas that board members will be asked to consider. The event schedule will be discussed in more detail during a Dec. 11 board meeting at the Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce. "It's uncertain at this point whether we will look for a large venue to hold traditional events such as the mud bog and concerts," board chairman Merv Bishop said. "We are going to try some new events next year and look at ways we can provide different types of entertainment. With the board's approval, the festival could take on more of a sports theme next year with the addition of a bowling tournament and a basketball tournament." The festival is currently undergoing major changes, ranging from holding the festival in June for the first time, to the absence of a largevenue event. Sunny Slope Farms paid $41,300 to the South Carolina Peach Festival in September so it could buy out the final 14 years on a long-term site lease signed in 2002. The Orchard Park site had been the site for festival concerts, a tractor pull, mud bog and other special events. Bishop said there has been little discussion yet on a new site for next year's festival. "We are looking at holding more events downtown and in places where we would not need to find a large venue," Bishop said. "The Peach Ball will hopefully become our signature event next year." About 250 people enjoyed an evening of great food and beach music during last year's Peach Ball at the Broad River Electric Co-Op auditorium. The semi-formal event, which had not been included on the S.C. Peach Festival schedule since 1986, was a hit with musical entertainment by the group Men of Distinction. The Peach Festival made $16,000 in profits last year even with the absence of a country music concert and a 2-day tractor pull. "We hope to receive a financial report on the 2007 festival at our Dec. 11 meeting," Bishop said. |
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