(Greenville SC)   As one of the most highly anticipated events of the year, St. Francis Fall for Greenville presented by Pepsi returns to downtown Greenville October 12 - 14. The festival will feature a taste of Greenville from 39 different restaurants showcasing over 200 different menu items. In addition, the event will offer musical entertainment, culinary demonstrations, competitions, children’s activities and much more.

According to Fall for Greenville Board President Scott Karr, the event has quickly become one of the most popular outdoor festivals in the Southeast, attracting more than 150,000 people over the course of the three-day event. “The festival serves as the perfect opportunity for Upstate residents and visitors to discover Greenville’s incredible dining options,” said Karr. “Along with a taste of Greenville, we pack the entire weekend with fun-filled activities for the entire family.”  

In addition to this year’s restaurant offerings, the festival will feature six different musical entertainment stages. Festival-goers can enjoy more than 50 popular national and local entertainers, including Justin Townes Earle; Mac Arnold and Plate Full O’ Blues and Cravin’ Melon. The weekend will also feature country, rock and pop music on the Michelin on Main Stage at Falls Park; beach music on the Steve White Audi Stage; jazz and blues music on the Furman University Jazz and Blues Stage in the Bank of America Wine Garden and Americana, bluegrass, indie and funk music on the Carolina Ale House Stage in the Beer Garden.

Returning for a seventh year as title sponsor of Fall for Greenville, Bon Secours St. Francis Health System again brings its own unique energy to the festival with special events and activities that promote a healthy community.  Festival-goers will want to be on hand at the St. Francis “Feelin’ Good in Greenville” venue located in the grassy area in front of the Courtyard Marriott on Saturday from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. and on Sunday from 12 p.m. – 4 p.m. Highlights of this venue will include feature performances by local entertainers, including spiral hoop dancing by Vivian Spiral and Keith “The Bubble Guy” Johnson.

“We feel very privileged to once again partner with Fall for Greenville," said Mark Nantz, CEO, Bon Secours St. Francis Health System. “Our Bon Secours mission is about ‘good help, health and wholeness.’ St. Francis Fall for Greenville creates a truly wonderful atmosphere. It brings together folks from Greenville, the Upstate—all across the Southeast; it’s about feeling good and taking time to savor life’s blessings of family, fun and friends.”  
 
New this year, the festival will feature the Ford Experience Tour on West Washington Street, which will showcase the latest Ford vehicles and technology. The attraction will also offer skill competitions, interactive vehicles and the opportunity to win exciting prizes, including a new Ford vehicle of the winner’s choice (up to $30,000). To further enhance this year’s event, St. Francis Fall for Greenville has partnered with Charleston Cooks! to offer live culinary demonstrations throughout the weekend. In addition, St. Francis Fall for Greenville has partnered with ABSOLUT VODKA and Southern Wine & Spirits to expand the Bartender’s Mix-Off into a multi-day event that will showcase the skills of local restaurant staff. The final rounds of the ABSOLUT Bartenders’ Mix-Off start at 12 p.m. on Sunday in the Wyche Pavilion.

For the second year, Greenlink will offer a free “park and ride” service during St. Francis Fall for Greenville. Festival-goers can drive, bike or walk to the parking garage at CU-ICAR and ride Greenlink for free to the downtown transit center, located on McBee Avenue in the heart of the event festivities. The shuttle will operate at half hour intervals on Friday from 5 p.m. – 11 p.m.; on Saturday from 11 a.m. – 9 p.m. and on Sunday from 12 p.m. – 7 p.m.

Festival taste tickets can be pre-purchased until Friday at 5 p.m. at Michelin on Main, the exclusive pre-ticket seller for St. Francis Fall for Greenville. Tickets are $5 for a sheet of eight and can be used throughout the festival weekend to purchase festival food and beverages, merchandise and rides in the Zaxby’s Kid’s Area. Festival-goers who pre-purchase $50 worth of tickets (10 sheets) by 3 p.m. on Friday will receive one free sheet of tickets. No refunds will be given for pre-ticket sales.

Named a Top 20 Event by the Southeast Tourism Society, St. Francis Fall for Greenville continues to support the local community by partnering with eight local nonprofits this year. Over the past 10 years, the festival has donated over $350,000 to local charities.