Saluda’s 54th Annual Coon Dog Day Festival is Saturday, July 8, 2017. 

The fun will begin with the 5K Race at 8 a.m. The runners will start and end downtown so be sure to be there to cheer on all of them! Register at cityofsaludanc.com.  

Something new this year will be the Slip ‘N Slide sponsored by the Saluda Volunteer Fire Department beginning at 1 p.m. across the street from Saluda School on Hwy 176. Free to kids of all ages. And speaking of something new, be sure to try out Red Neck Horseshoes located beside M.A. Pace Store. 

At 2:30 p.m. the AKC licensed bench show in the Pavilion at McCreery Park will offer you all of the coon dogs you ever wanted to see! There is an entry fee for dogs. Immediately following will be the treeing contest, which also has an entry fee.

At 4 p.m. you don’t want to miss the Big Wheel Race down Greenville Street! It promises to be even better this year with more hay bales to maneuver around to stay on course!

 Amusements for kids will be located in the city parking area across the railroad track from Main Street.  

There will be entertainment all day beginning at 8 a.m. from the Main Stage.

Food, crafts, etc. will be sold by vendors all along Main Street – not to mention the great shops, restaurants, and stores that Saluda has to offer!

The Street Dance is from 7-11 p.m. 

There will be ample parking all around town, including free handicap parking at the Baptist Church. Also free parking at the Episcopal Church on Charles Street and in the Saluda School bus parking area on Seminary Street. If all else fails, there will be paid parking at the Saluda School Parking area on Hwy. 176 and at the Saluda Volunteer Fire Department on Greenville Street. 

Parade! – New this year!

There is no application to enter to participate in the parade. If you wish to parade down Main St. follow these instructions: 

Parade Participant Route

From I-26 and Ozone Drive, turn right onto Howard Gap Road. Travel .5 miles and turn left on Esseola.

In .8 miles Esseola becomes Henderson. Follow Henderson which becomes Seminary to Ozone. Turn right on Ozone. 

From the Saluda area, parade line up will begin on Henderson to Ozone. A volunteer will assist you!

 Please follow the instructions above and the signs to line up for the parade, which begins at 11 a.m.

 Please find all the information available now on cityofsaludanc.com, which includes the Vendor Application, the Sponsor Application, the 5K Race Registration Form, Parade Participant Sign Up, and more.

Call 828-749-3789 with questions.

– article submitted by Cathy Jackson