Gohper Hill Festival - Ridgeland, South Carolina

GOPHER HILL FESTIVAL
Ridgeland, South Carolina

"EDUCATORS THROUGH THE YEARS"

41st ANNUAL GOPHER HILL FESTIVAL

OCTOBER 4-6

THIS SITE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION AND INFORMATION IS UPDATED AS THE PLANNING CONTINUES!!!

Time to celebrate! The 41^st Annual Gopher Hill Festival is almost here! In celebration of Jasper County's centennial year the theme for 2012 is "Educators Through the Years" and will honor and highlight our retired educators while saluting our present Jasper County educators.

This year's committee is proud to have conducted an art contest throughout Jasper County Schools, public and private, to design this year's festival logo. We are proud to announce the Grand Prize Winner is Ridgeland Middle School 8th grade student Aser Valdez. Our congratulations to Aser!

The Gopher Hill Festival will kick off Thursday, October 4 with the Gopher Hill Festival Pink Tub Race on Main Street. Immediately following the Pink Tub Race is the Baking Contest and Sale, Gopher Idol Talent Contest, Pet Contest and Fireworks at the Gazebo.

On October 5th at 6:00 pm, the fun continues with the Gopher Hill Food and Craft Market. At 8:00 p.m. it’s time to pull out the dancing shoes as the bandstand comes alive for your entertainment with the Fabulous Expressions. Join us for the shag contest at 9:00 p.m.

The fun continues on Saturday morning with the 5K Run/Walk at 7:30 a.m. and the Grand Gopher Hill Parade at 10:00 a.m. The parade will be announced LIVE from the Clock, corner of Main St. and Jacob Smart Blvd. The parade will pay tribute to our present and retired educators with floats and a retired educator as Grand Marshall. Parade bicycles will be judged for the best decorated bicycle. Parade winners will be announced at 11:30 a.m. on the Main Stage. Afterwards, the festival streets will be filled with arts and craft exhibitors showing off their creations. There will be a variety of food vendors, rides, and all types of fun activities for the entire family.

The Gopher Hill Classic Car Show registration begins at 9:00 a.m. Saturday. Main Stage activities will start immediately after the parade with local talents entertaining during the day. Saturday’s entertainment will include: karate demonstrations, Beaufort County Sheriff's Department S.W.A.T and Dog Team demonstration, dance studio performances, local talent, a tasing demo and much, much more! And don't forget "A Grizzly Experience" with "The Bear" and cubs who are returning by popular demand! The infamous TURTLE Race begin at 4:00 at the Main Stage. The Kids Entertainment will be at the Gazebo.

Saturday Night Entertainment begins with the street dance at 7:00 p.m on the Main Stage featuring Thomas Claxton & the Myth Band and Confederate Railroad from Nashville, Tennessee.

The Jasper County Pageants will be held on August 25, 2012 at the Performing Arts Center, Ridgeland High School.

The fabulous Gopher Hill T-Shirts will be available for purchase at locations to be determined.

Be sure to check out our website for the "Festival Schedule"!!

******************************

2012 PARADE GRAND MARSHALL

(To be determine)

It is the Gopher Hill Festival Committee’s great privilege and honor to have a retired educator as Grand Marshall.

We guarantee the 2012 festival is one you and your family don’t want to miss! So tell your neighbors, bring your friends, call those out-of-town relatives, and show your appreciation to our Jasper County "Educators Through the Years" at the 41^st Annual Gopher Hill Festival. The tradition continues!

MANY THANKS TO LAST YEAR'S 2011 SPONSORS!!!!

PLATINUM PLUS SPONSORS

TOWN OF RIDGELAND