It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Anderson Downtown Historic District gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Anderson, SC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“ABC helped me take care of my mother in her last few weeks. Trudy the”
“I’ve been a employee for 3 years I love working here”
“Great Place. Really caring people. would recommend if a friend of family member need”
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“The best care anyone can offer.”
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“ABC helped me take care of my mother in her last few weeks. Trudy the Caregiver was wonderful! Trudy was so gentle with mom, very compassionate and professional. You could tell she loves her job. she started helping in the evenings, then on weekends. Mom's health got really bad and she was hospitalized and Trudy changed her schedule so she could stay up at the hospital all night with my Mom. I never had to worry because I knew mom was in good hands and that Trudy would te… See more”
“I’ve been a employee for 3 years I love working here”
“Great Place. Really caring people. would recommend if a friend of family member need non-medical care.”
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“The best care anyone can offer.”
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Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Greeley Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local Sullivan's Metropolitan Grill or visit North Anderson Historic District, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Anderson, SC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Anderson, SC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Anderson, SC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
The 2025 South Carolina high school football season rolled into Week 6 on Friday, September 26, and High School On SI has a list of final scores from the weekend.South Carolina high school football final scores, results — September 26, 2025Andrew Jackson Academy 34, Clarendon Hall 0Bamberg-Ehrhardt 62, Hunter-Kinard-Tyler 8Belton-Honea Path 45, Chapman 0Berkeley 54, St. James 0Bethune-Bowman 28...
The 2025 South Carolina high school football season rolled into Week 6 on Friday, September 26, and High School On SI has a list of final scores from the weekend.
Andrew Jackson Academy 34, Clarendon Hall 0
Bamberg-Ehrhardt 62, Hunter-Kinard-Tyler 8
Belton-Honea Path 45, Chapman 0
Berkeley 54, St. James 0
Bethune-Bowman 28, Military Magnet Academy 8
Bishop England 52, Woodland 6
Blue Ridge 63, Landrum 28
Blythewood 46, Spring Valley 0
Boiling Springs 42, Eastside 17
Broome 40, Blacksburg 7
Byrnes 21, Dorman 33
Camden 43, Dreher 0
Carolina Forest 54, Southside Christian 13
Carvers Bay 61, Green Sea Floyds 15
Central 34, Cheraw 27
Christ Church Episcopal 40, Hampton County 35
Clinton 60, Union County 0
Clover 27, Fort Mill 26
Crescent 34, Liberty 27
Crestwood 27, Lower Richland 14
Daniel 27, Seneca 16
Dixie 27, Towns County 21
Dorman 33, Byrnes 21
East Clarendon 26, Manning 12
Easley 30, Woodmont 22
Fairfield Central 35, Andrew Jackson 0
Flora 27, York 6
Gaffney 28, Spartanburg 21
Gilbert 30, Aiken 13
Gray Collegiate Academy 41, North Augusta 27
Greenville 34, JL Mann 0
Greenwood 24, Hillcrest 20
Greer 30, Travelers Rest 7
Hanahan 36, Andrews 22
Hartsville 27, Wilson 21
Hilton Head 38, Bluffton 28
Holly Hill Academy 40, Cathedral Academy 18
Indian Land 33, Rock Hill 9
Johnsonville 28, Hannah-Pamplico 7
King Academy 36, Conway Christian 0
Kingstree 22, Lake City 18
Lancaster 21, Richland Northeast 14
Lincoln County 45, Strom Thurmond 20
Lugoff-Elgin 42, Sumter 57
May River 38, Georgetown 0
Midland Valley 34, Brookland-Cayce 7
Myrtle Beach 28, Cane Bay 21
Newberry 35, Saluda 7
North Central 42, Buford 0
Northwestern 56, Catawba Ridge 20
Northwood Academy 23, Hammond 10
Oceanside Collegiate Academy 47, Atlantic Collegiate 0
Pendleton 41, Carolina Academy 6
Pickens 63, Berea 0
Ridge Spring-Monetta 35, Whitmire 0
Ridge View 46, Westwood 8
Ridgeland/Hardeeville 16, Hardeeville 0
Riverside 41, Wade Hampton 15
Silver Bluff 49, Barnwell 6
South Aiken 28, Airport 15
Summerville 48, Goose Creek 0
Sumter 57, Lugoff-Elgin 42
Swansea 36, Columbia 6
T.L. Hanna 28, Mauldin 21
Trinity-Byrnes 27, Northside Christian Academy 0
Ware Shoals 4, Clear Dot Charter 0
West-Oak 27, Greenwood Christian 0
Westside 26, Abbeville 20
White Knoll 40, Fort Dorchester 0
Win-E-Mac 24, Hillcrest 20
Wren 35, Woodruff 7
BRADY TWOMBLY
Brady Twombly grew up playing every sport he could before sticking with basketball. He played one year of college basketball at Northern Arizona University and then he transferred to Boise State University where he graduated with a degree in Business Administration. He has been covering high school sports at SBLive since the beginning of 2023, working mostly on the data operations team.
The Hot Air Affair, Rising Above Cancer, is an annual multi-day event held at the Anderson Civic Center's Balloon Launch Field from August 29 to September 1.This signature event for the Cancer Association of Anderson raises funds through sponsorships, vendor participation, balloon tether rides, and merchandise sales.This year marks the 8th consecutive year the event has been held in the Upstate, drawing balloon enthusiasts and spectators from across the region.The event features colorful hot air balloons, live music, and...
The Hot Air Affair, Rising Above Cancer, is an annual multi-day event held at the Anderson Civic Center's Balloon Launch Field from August 29 to September 1.
This signature event for the Cancer Association of Anderson raises funds through sponsorships, vendor participation, balloon tether rides, and merchandise sales.
This year marks the 8th consecutive year the event has been held in the Upstate, drawing balloon enthusiasts and spectators from across the region.
The event features colorful hot air balloons, live music, and a variety of family-friendly activities.
All proceeds from the Hot Air Affair are donated to the Cancer Association of Anderson to support their mission of providing assistance and resources to cancer patients and their families.
Coinciding with the Hot Air Affair is Celebrate Anderson, another cherished event that showcases the community's spirit.
The Hot Air Affair will showcase over 35 hot air balloons, with nightly balloon glows and the chance for tethered rides, weather permitting.
Attendees can explore over 50 vendors selling a wide range of items, from balloon memorabilia to handmade crafts, while enjoying a variety of food and drinks.
Each day, a raffle will be featured, and pilots will collect cash donations in buckets to support the cause.
There will also be a Kids Zone set up, offering fun and education for children.
The zone will feature a fire safety house, where kids can learn important safety tips, and Mister Twister the Clown, who will entertain with his balloon artistry and humor.
Additionally, activities will be available for children, which may incur an extra fee.
The Hot Air Affair will introduce a special addition called The Survivors Tent, a dedicated space to honor those who have battled cancer. Visitors can sponsor the tent through the Survivor Ambassador package, helping create a sanctuary for reflection, celebration, and connection.
This space will feature the Warrior Walk, a heartfelt moment of recognition for these brave men and women.
According to Angela Stringer, director of the Cancer Association of Anderson County, the Hot Air Affair: Rising Above Cancer was born in 2013 as a unique and vibrant way to raise awareness and funds for cancer support.
"I was the director of communications for Anderson County at the time and underwent chemotherapy for breast cancer," Stringer said.
"The idea for the event came to me as my mom, Gayle Cole, drove me home from Anderson Area Cancer Center," Stringer said. "As I leaned my head against the window, I felt tired and dreading the sickness I knew would follow treatment in the next day or two."
"As I looked up, saw a beautiful hot air balloon floating in the sky," Stringer said. "At that moment, the thought struck me, I must not let this cancer defeat me. I have to rise above it. I was certain it was the Lord speaking to me, and that thought provided me with strength and hope."
Fast forward to January 2016, Stinger accepted the position as executive director of the Anderson Cancer Association. "One of the projects on my to-do list was to evaluate our fundraisers and possibly add another signature event to our calendar," Stringer said. "Of course, The Hot Air Affair: Rising Above Cancer leapt to mind, and the rest, as they say, is history."
"This is the 8th year of a wonderful, truly uplifting event that continues to inspire and bring our community together," Stringer said.
Travis Rose covers Anderson County for the Independent Mail. Reach him via email at [email protected].
Greenville, South Carolina, has been getting quite a bit of buzz lately—and for good reason: its emerging food scene, array of museums, and walkable downtown, just to name a few. But travel 45 minutes southeast towards the South Carolina-Georgia border, and you'll find another town more than worth a weekend away. Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Anderson is a small town with big energy that you need to add to your Southern travel bucket list today.Once known as the Electric City thanks to its pioneering use ...
Greenville, South Carolina, has been getting quite a bit of buzz lately—and for good reason: its emerging food scene, array of museums, and walkable downtown, just to name a few. But travel 45 minutes southeast towards the South Carolina-Georgia border, and you'll find another town more than worth a weekend away. Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Anderson is a small town with big energy that you need to add to your Southern travel bucket list today.
Once known as the Electric City thanks to its pioneering use of hydroelectric power, Anderson has retained every bit of that spark more than 100 years later. Its location near the Blue Ridge Mountains and one of the Southeast's largest recreation lakes means there's no shortage of outdoor recreation to explore, from freshwater fishing and boating to hiking and biking.
When you're ready to slow your roll, a leisurely stroll around Anderson's historic district shops and restaurants is a great option. Then, you can round out your trip by hunting down all the local treats of the Piedmont region, from handmade truffles and homegrown honey to craft whiskey and farm-fresh goat cheese. Here are eight things you must do on a visit to the Friendliest City in South Carolina.
The fun started more than a decade ago when brothers Trey and Bryan Boggs opened South Carolina's first legal moonshine distillery in Anderson. Since then, they've grown the collection of spirits at Palmetto Distillery to include not only award-winning flavored moonshines (Try the Pina Colada, Peach, or Salted Caramel) but also a line of craft whiskeys and ready-to-drink cocktails. Tours are free (no reservations required) and typically end with a choose-your-own-adventure tasting where you can decide between a traditional tasting (9 flavors for $10 with a $5 credit for whatever you decide to take home), flight ($5), or single sample ($1).
palmettodistillery.com; 200 W Benson St, Anderson, SC 29624
Ask any Anderson local where their favorite place to spend a day is and they'll likely reply with Lake Hartwell. The 56,000-acre lake is one of the biggest recreation lakes in the Southeast and is well-known for its world-class fishing. Catch catfish, bream, crappie, and bass from the 100-foot fishing pier at Sadlers Creek State Park, or book a trip with one of many local fishing guides who are guaranteed to have you reeling in trophy bass in no time. If fishing isn't your fancy, head to Big Water Marina and take your pick of watercrafts. They've got everything from kayaks, paddle boards, and hydrobikes to pontoon boats.
bigwatermarina.com; 320 Big Water Road, Starr, SC 29684
Art enthusiasts should plan to spend ample time at downtown's Anderson Arts Center. The massive complex is a hub for the visual and performing arts. The complex features several rotating exhibitions, as well as the Bay 3 Artisan Gallery, a cooperative gallery of local artists who represent a variety of different mediums. If you'd like to get a little more hands-on, sign up for a workshop or class hosted regularly at the center. The center is also home to The Market Theatre Company, a community theater group that pulls off an impressive year-round schedule of musicals, plays, and productions for the public.
andersonarts.org; 110 Federal St. #6, Anderson, SC 29625
One of Anderson's crowning jewels is its bustling 16-block Historic District. Allot a few hours to explore this area and see where your whims take you. History buffs will want to look out for the Anderson County Courthouse, the P&N Railroad Depot, the Anderson County Museum, and a 1764 Revolutionary War cannon called Old Reformer. Modern mavens will love the eclectic mix of locally owned specialty shops, boutiques, breweries, and restaurants. Just off Main Street, pay a visit to Carolina Wren Park, a hub for community activity including open-air concerts, block parties, movie screenings, and other outdoor events. Don't forget a sweet treat at CocoBon Chocolatier, an artisan truffle and chocolate shop that's been a local favorite since its opening in 2007.
andersoncountycourt.org; 100 South Main St., Anderson, SC 29624andersoncountymuseum.sc.gov; 202 East Greenville St., Anderson, SC 29621facebook.com/carolinawrenparkandpavillion; 111 East Whitner St., Anderson, SC 29621cocobonchocolatier.com; 111 North Main St., Anderson SC 29621
When visiting Anderson, there's no better home base than The Bleckley Inn. The city's only boutique hotel, the Bleckley offers 22 well-appointed rooms in the heart of downtown. The renovated historic building features dramatic 10-foot ceilings, original heart pine flooring, and classic Southern décor. For the full experience, book reservations at the hotel's Restaurant 151, a Southern American eatery with a special emphasis on South Carolina-grown ingredients and produce.
bleckleyinn.com; 151 East Church St, Anderson, SC 29624
At its heart, Anderson is a rural community. For a foray into the farm fresh, a visit to Split Creek Goat Farm is a must. The goat dairy is home to 350 goats who provide the milk for Split Creek's nationally acclaimed, award-winning goat cheese, fudge, and yogurt. The farm shop is open every day except Sunday, but if you'd like to take a self-guided tour of the operations be sure to visit between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Friday or Saturday. In addition to finding Split Creek's legendary products, you can also find produce and food from other South Carolina businesses.
splitcreek.com; 3806 Centerville Road, Anderson, SC 29625
No vacation—and especially no Southern vacation—is complete without a meal to write home about. In Anderson, you'll have plenty of options to choose from. Sullivan's Metropolitan Grill is the place to go for an upscale evening out. With its white tablecloths and elegant architecture, you'd never know the building opened as a hardware store in the late 1800s. Dinner options range from Lowcountry classics like Shrimp and Grits, Fried Green Tomatoes, and Sullivan's Hush Puppies to Italian-inspired Short Rib Bolognese and Black Truffle Ravioli. For top-notch cooking in more casual digs, head to Mama Penn's for a Southern-certified meat 'n' three experience and Creekside Bar-be-que for slow-smoked ribs, brisket, and pork using recipes passed down for generations.
sullivansmetrogrill.com; 208 South Main St., Anderson, SC 29624mamapenns.com; 2802 North Main St., Anderson, SC 29621creeksidebbq.com; 1115 Salem Church Road, Anderson, SC 29625
Make a toast to a trip well spent with a pint at one of Anderson's hip craft breweries. Carolina Bauerhaus uses local yeasts, regional hops, and seasonal fruit to create an ever-rotating menu of small-batch beers, ciders, and wines. Be on the lookout for seasonal brews like the Bradford, a sour ale brewed with Bradford watermelons. Complete your downtown brewery tour at Magnetic South, a brewery on downtown's Main Street that opened in September 2021. The brewpub encourages visitors to stay for a while with a large taproom featuring arcade games, a pool table, and plenty of room to relax over a pint and specialty cast-iron pizza.
carolinabauernhaus.com; 115 Federal St., Anderson SC 29625magneticsouthbeer.com; 516 North Main St., Anderson, SC 29621
7th annual Rising Above Cancer hot air balloon festival and Celebrate Anderson to take place in Anderson, SC over Labor Day Weekend – and it’s free!There’s certainly something magical about a giant balloon floating peacefully in the vast air, without care and just being beautiful. You can see those and tons more at the Hot Air Affair: Rising Above Cancer Anderson hot air balloon festival on Labor Day Weekend 2025. The festival is only about 40 minutes from Greenville, SC.Plus, on Sunday evening, Celeb...
7th annual Rising Above Cancer hot air balloon festival and Celebrate Anderson to take place in Anderson, SC over Labor Day Weekend – and it’s free!
There’s certainly something magical about a giant balloon floating peacefully in the vast air, without care and just being beautiful. You can see those and tons more at the Hot Air Affair: Rising Above Cancer Anderson hot air balloon festival on Labor Day Weekend 2025. The festival is only about 40 minutes from Greenville, SC.
Plus, on Sunday evening, Celebrate Anderson is also bringing a huge, FREE concert with Kool & The Gang to the stage, plus fireworks!
These are both happening at the same time, but some things are different, like the kids’ zone areas, so read on.
If you want to go see the balloons and read anything from this story, let it be this: the balloons only fly in the morning and evenings and only when the weather is favorable. If you go at Noon and expect see hot air balloons, you’ll be disappointed. The full schedule is below.
If you read anything about the concerts and remember one thing, let it be this: the concert with Celebrate Anderson is free but you need a ticket, which you can get here.
There is no entry fee for either event, no tickets required for the kids’ zone (except for one activity at the Hot Air Balloon festival), no admission for the live music and all the fun. If you want to get up in the air, you can purchase a hot air balloon ride if the weather is favorable. Keep reading for that info.
This festival is the largest hot air balloon festival in the Upstate and more than 30,000 people are expected to attend. It will be held at the Anderson Sports & Entertainment Center and includes three days of family-friendly fun.
Some fun facts about the festival:
The Cancer Association of Anderson is a very small nonprofit in Anderson that supports local cancer patients. They raise all their funds by themselves so this is an important event to raise awareness for the organization and provide funds for them to do their important work.
They use their funds to lessen the burden on Anderson County residents who are battling cancer by providing financial, physical, and emotional assistance.
I talked to Angie Stringer, who works for the Cancer Association of Anderson and is the event director, about how the festival was conceived. She was a cancer patient herself when she worked for Anderson County about ten years ago and had just come out of chemotherapy feeling beat up and exhausted.
“I went outside and saw a hot air balloon floating in the air. It was then that I came up with the idea of ‘Rising Above Cancer.’”
That was seven years ago and Angie is in remission. She still adores hot air balloons.
The festival runs from Friday, August 29th, 2025 to Monday, September 1st, 2025. Here’s the schedule:
Cancer Association of Anderson’s 2025 Hot Air Affair: Rising Above Cancer
Friday, August 29, 20255 PM – 9 PM: KidZone, Food & Merchandise Vendors6 PM – 8 PM: Balloon Flights / Glow / Tethers7 PM – 9 PM: Live Music
Saturday, August 30, 20257 AM – 8:30 AM: Balloon Flights / Tethers10 AM – 9 PM: KidZone, Food & Merchandise Vendors4 PM – 7 PM: Live Music6 PM – 8 PM: Balloon Flights / Glow / Tethers7 PM – 9 PM: Live Music
Sunday, August 31, 20257 AM – 8:30 AM: Balloon Flights / Tethers10 AM – 5 PM: KidZone, Food & Merchandise Vendors6 PM – 8 PM: Balloon Flights / Glow / Tethers
Monday, September 1, 20257 AM – 8:30 AM: Balloon Flights
In previous years, The Kids Zone at the balloon festival had activities like a free petting zoo with face painting, face painting ($), a trackless train ($5/ticket), the Creation Station that is geared more towards special needs children but open to all kids, the Anderson City Fire Safety House, princesses and superheroes, a dunk tank that will be there during limited hours ($), ball toss, plinko games, cornhole, and other outdoor games. Details about the Kids Zone have not been released for 2025, but we expect something very similar.
There are flights and tethers from 6-8 pm and the balloons do a Glow, which is basically lighting up the balloons from the inside using the propane. It looks so neat!
Guests are welcome to come to the festival up to an hour before the balloons are supposed to take place to see the inflation process. This happens in the field across from where all the vendors are located. There will also be some special ballooning competitions happening.
Food and vendors will be there every day of the event. The full schedule is available on the festival’s website.
This festival has been going on for over 26 years and has been a community event to celebrate the city of Anderson.
I took my daughters to see Martina McBride a couple of years ago at the Celebrate Anderson event, and it was fantastic! We all love country music, and I grew up on 90s country, so seeing her was really special.
For 2025, there will be one giant disco on Sunday night with Kool & The Gang! Plus, we are working with Celebrate Anderson to give away an awesome prize pack. Enter here. Tickets are free, but you have to reserve them online. There are two types of tickets: standing room only where you cannot bring chairs and lawn tickets where chairs are allowed. Gates open both nights at 5:30 pm. And big news: fireworks close out both shows!
Plus, new in 2025, is a full sunday of fun with Jeep Extravaganza during the day from 10 am – 5 pm, with over 300 Jeeps, prizes, and fun. All benefiting the .
Information TBD for 2025: The Kids Zone at Celebrate Anderson. It will be held on the grand lawn of the Civic Center and will feature a carousel, rock climbing wall, swings, spinning tubs, choppers, and a rapid slide all provided by TCS Amusements. All of the rides and parking are free!
They will also have multiple food trucks at the concerts, where you can get food and drinks all evening. No outside food or beverage is allowed, and no backpacks or small bags are allowed either. The venue is also cashless.
There will be opportunities, depending on the weather, to ride in a hot air balloon. They are being offered apart from the festival due to insurance, but at the same location.
We do list the pilots that will give rides. It’s around $300/per passenger, and the flights are about an hour. About a dozen pilots will be doing flights, and money is paid directly to them. The Hot Air Affair Facebook usually lists pilots doing flights a couple of weeks before the event. Their contact information is on there.
There will also be tethered rides. Those rides are around $25/person. These rides will happen only in the morning and evening and will be sold at the informational tent for the festival. Additionally, balloons will only fly in the mornings and evenings, depending on the weather, generally between 6-8 am and 6-8 pm.
Last year, we rode in the Discovery with pilot Derrick, and it was incredible! I am scared of flying normally and was terrified right when we took off and saw the ground get smaller and smaller pretty fast, but once we were floating, it was really peaceful and fun. I felt totally safe, and my kids absolutely loved it.
The weather was so perfect, and we got to see for miles out to the mountains and Lake Hartwell. The thing about balloons is that you can’t steer them, and they go with the wind, which means you won’t be landing where you took off from. Each balloon has its own chaser car that follows the balloon in the air and then goes to retrieve it (and the passengers) when it lands.
So where do the balloons land? Anywhere they can that is safe. We were looking for a flat, grassy area away from powerlines and livestock, and ended up landing in a lady’s yard. She was really nice and let the pilot and his team get the balloon taken down and all packed back up in the giant bag, and we headed back to the festival. It was the coolest thing!
If you want to book your own flight, see this list. You have to contact the pilots directly to arrange flights. Derrick has been flying in a hot air balloon since he was two years old, and his dad runs Carolina Balloon Fantasies out of Easley. You can book a flight with him. This would be an incredible date night or birthday gift!
As always, be prepared ahead for the festival by reading over these few short rules:
The festival will happen rain or shine, but safety always comes first with balloon rides, and they are completely weather dependent. Basically, don’t promise your kids that they’ll be able to ride in a balloon or see them in flight. If bad weather moves in, you’ll only have tantrums to deal with, and well, that’s no fun. Make it a surprise!
Anderson Sports & Entertainment Center3027 Martin Luther King Jr Boulevard, Anderson, South CarolinaRising Above Cancer Hot Air Balloon FestivalCelebrate Anderson
Looking for more things to do over Labor Day Weekend? We have a whole list for that! Celebrate Labor Day near Greenville, SC
ANDERSON COUNTY, S.C. —Anderson County officials said they are no longer considering a proposed plasma gasification plant after the community expressed multiple concerns.Before the county's decision on Friday, community members gathered to share various environmental and health concerns related to what's known as "Project Pine.""It's less than three miles from our water, from our schools, from our major agricultural and a lot of us. It does not need to be here," neighbor Cheryl ...
ANDERSON COUNTY, S.C. —
Anderson County officials said they are no longer considering a proposed plasma gasification plant after the community expressed multiple concerns.
Before the county's decision on Friday, community members gathered to share various environmental and health concerns related to what's known as "Project Pine."
"It's less than three miles from our water, from our schools, from our major agricultural and a lot of us. It does not need to be here," neighbor Cheryl Nierodzik said.
This week, Anderson County council approved second reading of a proposed fee in lieu of tax agreement with Project Pine.
The proposal would have seen an undisclosed company invest more than $51.6 million to create the facility as well as 54 new jobs.
County Administrator Rusty Burns said the plant would have applied a heat treatment to expired pills, not including opioids, that would turn them into dust. County officials said that the process would give off hydrogen and carbon monoxide, which would be captured.
"We're talking about basically nuking pharmaceuticals, and where does it go?" farmer Michael Shirley said. "We have a water table. It starts on our property, a creek that runs right through our property and then goes right behind the property where they're talking about putting this facility."
Neighbors said they learned about the potential project while reviewing the agenda for the council meeting.
"When I first seen it on the docket, I didn't even know what that was until you started doing some little bit of research on it," neighbor Wesley Scarborough said.
Community members expressed concerns over potential odors and impacts to the water supply.
"Our water tables are very close to the ground," Shirley said. "You can dig a well out here in 20 feet in some areas. We've got one ourselves, so I can't believe that this is a good area for something like this."
Burns said Friday morning the county was interested in holding a meeting between themselves, the community and the company.
WYFF News 4 then reached back out to the county for more information on the project. Those questions included where the pills brought to the facility originated from, the name of the company behind the proposal and where the facility's waste would be stored.
In the afternoon, Burns called back to say Council Chairman Tommy Dunn decided that the project was off the table and would not be reconsidered.
Neighbors said they were extremely happy and overjoyed with the county's decision.
"If we've got to be community involved, then we'll speak up," Shirley said. "We will show up to these meetings, and we will let people know that it's the community that puts a stop to things."
In his reasoning for the decision, county leaders said they did not want to force something onto the community if it did not want such a project near their homes.
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