Camden’s biggest weekend of the year is about to get even bigger.
For the first time, downtown Camden will host CUP FEST , a lively street festival on Friday, March 27, kicking off a full weekend of celebration leading into the 91st running of the Carolina Cup Steeplechase races on Saturday, March 28 at Springdale Racecourse.
Organized by the City of Camden, CUP FEST is designed to turn the Carolina Cup weekend into a multi-day experience for both locals and visitors. According to Kat Spadacenta, Community Development Coordinator for the City of Camden, the goal is simple: give people a reason to come downtown early and enjoy everything the historic district has to offer.
“We’re launching the first ever CUP FEST,” Spadacenta said. “It’s a downtown street festival that will stretch along Broad Street between Highway 1 and York Street the day before the Cup. We want people coming into town for the races to arrive early and experience downtown Camden.”
The festival begins at noon Friday and will feature two stages of live music, activities for families, a classic car cruise-in, street vendors, and plenty of opportunities to shop and dine in Camden’s historic commercial district.
The South Stage, located near Greener Pastures Brewing, will kick off live music in the early afternoon. The Main Stage, positioned at the intersection of Broad and Rutledge Streets, will host the day’s featured act.
At 6 p.m., legendary Atlanta-based funk rock band Mother’s Finest will take the stage for a high-energy performance expected to draw crowds from across the region.
“We’re really excited about Mother’s Finest,” Spadacenta said. “They’re an internationally touring band, and we’re thrilled to have them as our featured act.”
Between the two stages, visitors will also find a classic car cruise-in lining Broad Street, creating a vibrant centerpiece for the festival.
Families will have plenty to enjoy as well. Town Green will host activities like miniature golf, while the street itself will feature an inflatable obstacle course, mobile arcade games, and other kid-friendly attractions.
“We’ll actually have multiple kids’ areas,” Spadacenta said. “There will be things happening all along the street so families can come spend the afternoon and evening together.”
Beyond the entertainment, CUP FEST is also meant to showcase downtown Camden’s thriving small business community.
“The historic commercial district is full of boutiques, award-winning restaurants, galleries, and unique shops,” Spadacenta said. “This gives visitors a chance to explore everything Camden has to offer.”
The idea for the large-scale event came from Camden Mayor Vincent Sheheen, who envisioned a festival that would expand the Carolina Cup experience beyond race day.
“The Cup already brings tens of thousands of people to Camden,” Spadacenta said. “Leadership with the city and the Cup has wanted to create more of a multi-day experience so visitors stay longer, explore the city, and support our local businesses.”
Best of all, CUP FEST is completely free to attend.
Broad Street will be closed to vehicle traffic between Highway One and York Street, but visitors will find plenty of nearby parking on surrounding streets including Lyttleton, Market, and Church Streets. Festivalgoers can also park at City Arena, where a free shuttle will run from noon until 9 p.m.
Once the street festival wraps up around 8 p.m., the celebration won’t end.
“That’s when our bars and restaurants will really come alive,” Spadacenta said. “They’ll have live music and activities going on, so there will still be plenty to do downtown after the festival.”
City organizers are still welcoming sponsors, vendors, and volunteers, and those interested can find information through the City of Camden’s website event calendar.
Spadacenta hopes the first CUP FEST will draw a good crowd.
“I’m hoping we get a couple thousand people downtown,” she said. “But because of how popular Mother’s Finest is, there have been projections we could see four, maybe even six thousand.”
If all goes well, the city hopes the festival becomes a new annual tradition.
“The hope is that CUP FEST grows each year and becomes a signature part of Carolina Cup weekend,” Spadacenta said.
Her advice for residents who don’t want to miss the fun?
“Call in sick,” she joked. “Take the day off and come have fun the day before the Cup.”
