SCVB Blog

David Oyler comes from northwestern PA, but made the typical snowbird trek to the Carolinas to attend Clemson University and to find some warmer weather. After singing in various groups there for 4 years, he transitioned to teaching deaf kids in Spartanburg, which sparked new thoughts, perceptions and musical direction, which is shown in the positive undertones of his songs. His folk-meets-blues voice blends well with simple guitar rifts and strumming patterns, and guides listeners through storyboard-type songs. Though walking those awkward first steps of singer-songwriter progression, he hopes to prod former memories and bring smiles to listeners' faces. 

Listen to David's music here

Looking for a place to cool off on a hot summer day? Head to Shipwreck Cove Water Park, in Duncan, SC and spend the day sliding down the waterslide or relaxing in the lazy river. This family friendly water park offers fun for all ages.  After splashing in the water, take a short break and enjoy a treat from the snack bar under your very own hut or venture over to the playground area of the neighboring Stone Ledge Park.

Shipwreck Cove kicks off its second season of operation, on the weekend of May 22-23.  Then beginning May 29, the water park will be open Monday-Saturdays, 10am-6pm and Sundays, 1-6pm. Admission for everyone over 42 inches is $10 and $8 for those under 42 inches. For those who may want to visit the park often, a Season Pass will be available this year for $85 for those over 42 inches and $65 for those under 42 inches.

For more information, visit www.shipwreckcovesc.com or call 864-949-0290. 

If you visit Spartanburg during the week of June 29th –July 3rd you will have the opportunity to see hundreds of beauty queens swarming around town. Spartanburg will host the Miss Teen South Carolina and Miss South Carolina Competitions for the 16th year.  Throughout the week, you will have multiple opportunities to see reigning queens up close and personal and even the chance to get autographs.

Preliminary competitions will be held each night June 29th-July 1st beginning at 7pm at the Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium.  The final competition and crowning of the new Miss Teen SC and Miss SC will be held at 5pm on Saturday, July 3rd. For tickets to any of the competitions, visit www.crowdpleaser.com or call 1-800-745-3000. Following the crowning, the new Miss SC will be introduced for the first time at Red, White and Boom, a patriotic celebration with music and fireworks. Red, White and Boom is held at Barnet Park and is sponsored by the City of Spartanburg.

Besides the competitions, you will have many other opportunities throughout the week to see the queens up close. Throughout the week, contestants can be seen during lunch outings at local restaurants such as The Beacon, Wades and The Peddler. Be on the lookout for the queens as you visit attractions in Spartanburg County, as the contestants will also be touring many of these destinations and learning about the community in which they are competing.

For more information on the Miss South Carolina Competition, visit www.misssouthcarolina.com.

Close your eyes and imagine this. It is a beautiful, warm, sunny day outside and you have been itching to get out and enjoy the amazing weather. As the day draws to a close and the hunger in your stomach grows stronger with each minute, your mind ponders where you can enjoy a delicious meal outdoors in Spartanburg. Wonder no more…we have compiled a list for you. With so many choices, it might be hard to choose!





A Caribbean Sweetness
Blue Fin Grill
City Range
Converse Deli
Copper River, Boiling Springs
Cooper River, Greer
Cornbread to Caviar
Dudley’s
Garner’s
Gerhard’s
Groucho’s
Hickory Tavern
Home and Garden Classics
Two Samuels
Ike’s
Mellow Mushroom
Monsoon Noodle House
Panera Bread
Rose Cottage
Sonny’s Brick Oven Pizza
Stone Soup
Taco Dog
The Beacon

Spartanburg is home to one of the premier automobile manufacturers in the world since 1995, and now there are four extraordinary opportunities, one ultimate experience! The Ultimate BMW Experience, gives visitors access to go behind the scenes and behind the wheel at the one and only home of BMW in North America.

BMW’s Plant Spartanburg, is the only manufacturing facility in the world where you can see the inner workings of an automobile manufacturing plant. See all the technology and skill that goes into producing the X5 and X6 model --and soon the X3 starting in 2011--and witness the birth the ultimate driving machine first hand.

After you have learned how a BMW is made, experience the legends of BMW that are showcased in the living museum. In the Zentrum Visitors Center at Plant Spartanburg, you will be able to see up close and personal iconic vehicles that are truly timeless.

Strap on your seat belt for the next experience! You will have the opportunity to take the wheel of a BMW and put your skills to the test. Spend the afternoon with your own personal driving instructor, who will show you the amazing capabilities of the BMW vehicles. Take the BMW X-5 off road and see how versatile the cars can be and test the speeds of the Z-4 on the track. This will be a two-hour adrenaline rush you will never forget!  

After your Ultimate BMW Experience, it probably will not be tough to convince you that you want to become the new owner of your very own BMW. Ultimate Destinations, gives you the opportunity to have your BMW delivered straight to the Performance Driving Center. Professional driving instructors will teach you about your new car and the capabilities of it and then you can drive off as a knowledgeable new owner of a truly remarkable German car.

The Ultimate BMW Experience will be offered on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at a cost of $99. To plan your own Ultimate BMW Experience, call 1-877-9BMWEXP or visit www.bmwusfactory.com. This is a revolutionary experience right here in Spartanburg County!

Unconditionally friendly, historic, reclaimed and reinvented are just some of the ways the writer of the Washington Post recently described our wonderful city.  Read the entire article here.