COLUMBIA, S.C. – Oct. 12, 2006 – The kickoff of the 2006 holiday shopping season has just gotten even better in South Carolina with Gov. Mark Sanford’s declaration of a “sales-tax holiday” on the Friday and Saturday after Thanksgiving.
 
The 48-hour Thanksgiving Sales Tax Holiday will be in effect from 12:01 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 24, to midnight on Saturday, Nov. 25.
 
According to the S.C. Department of Revenue, this “one-time ‘sales tax holiday’ applies to all purchases” including hotel and motel stays (other taxes may apply).
 
Visitors to the Palmetto State will find the usual wide selection of reasonably priced accommodations and then can take advantage of traditional shopping destinations without the 5% state sales tax. They include King Street in downtown Charleston (www.charlestoncvb.com <http://www.charlestoncvb.com/> ), and the outlet centers of Myrtle Beach (www.visitmybeach.com <http://www.visitmybeach.com/> ), where the Carolina Opry is offering hotel packages that include tickets to its 21st annual Christmas special. Other highlights include the malls and upscale shops of Hilton Head Island (www.hiltonheadisland.org <http://www.hiltonheadisland.org/> ), as well as the burgeoning downtown and suburban choices in other destination cities such as Greenville, Columbia (www.columbiacvb.com <http://www.columbiacvb.com/> ) and Rock Hill-Fort Mill (www.visityorkcounty.com <http://www.visityorkcounty.com/> ).
 
Other prime shopping destinations include the big outlet centers along Interstate 85 near Gaffney (www.cherokeechamber.org <http://www.cherokeechamber.org/> ), strategically located about midway between Charlotte and Atlanta. Spartanburg (www.visitspartanburg.com <http://www.visitspartanburg.com/> ) is located near Gaffney and offers hotels and shopping areas that include the newly renovated Morgan Square, located near the award-winning Inn on Main and home to a number of upscale boutiques and a variety of restaurants.
 
Hotel-shopping packages add to the temptation of the tax-free weekend. For instance, a “Just Us Girls” shopping spree which includes spa treatments and culinary delights is planned at several participating hotels in Greenville (www.greenvillecvb.com <http://www.greenvillecvb.com/> .) Charleston shoppers, meanwhile, may want to consider package deals for the Thanksgiving holiday at Kiawah Island Golf Resort and its luxury hotel, The Sanctuary.
 
Other choices include South Carolina’s charming smaller towns, such as Aiken in horse country (www.tbredcountry.org <http://www.tbredcountry.org/> ) where antique shops, art galleries, specialty clothing stores and other shops and restaurants keep the downtown bustling. Overnight visitors might then choose to stay at the historic Willcox Inn or Carriage House Inn.
 
And, “out in the country,” seekers of the more eclectic in their shopping adventures may want to check out the holiday open house at Split Creek Farm near Anderson. A dairy goat operation that regularly wins top national honors for its cheese, Split Creek (www.splitcreek.com <http://www.splitcreek.com/> ) will be offering live bluegrass music, gift baskets, folk art from local artists, hot cider and more that Saturday. Another favorite stop in the S.C. National Heritage Corridor’s farm tours, Emerald Farm (www.emeraldfarm.com <http://www.emeraldfarm.com/> ) near Greenwood will be holding its “Holiday Spectacular” that Friday and Saturday. Goats, llamas, a spectacular model railroad and another one that you can ride are highlighted, along with a soap factory, antique store and unusual gift and food items.
 
For more information on these and other destinations and deals in South Carolina, visit www.DiscoverSouthCarolina.com <http://www.discoversouthcarolina.com/>  on the Web.