The Reedy River in Greenville, South Carolina never “tasted” as good as it did Friday, September 21st. Since 2006, “Euphoria” has spread throughout this surprising Southern city where tradition mixes with innovation to create something unique. “Euphoria” is a celebration of food, wine and music and “Taste of the South” on Friday night brought you a heaping helping of each.
Nestled between the Peace Center (a performing arts venue) and the Reedy River, “Taste of the South” featured a night of music under the stars, samples from Greenville’s best restaurants and a bottomless cup of your favorite beverages. Nearly picture perfect weather led to a large turnout with thousands of people attending.
Just weeks before the event, crews put the finishing touches on the new TD stage, the setting for the night’s concerts from singer-songwriter Shawn Mullins and platinum artist and hometown boy, Edwin McCain (“I’ll be” and “,” I could not ask for more”).
Beside the stage, crowds perused through the Wyche Pavillion, an open air brick remnant of the city’s textile mill days. Lining the walls of the building, restaurants from around the city dished out samples of everything from pan seared scallop sliders from the Westin Poinsett Hotel to homemade mini moon pies from Stella’s Southern Bistro (part of a plate they called a “redneck picnic.”) Victoria Moore, the executive chef of “The Lazy Goat” returned this year with a scrumptious hummus and heaping servings of chicken pallea.
South Carolina’s spirits rode high at “Taste of the South”, too! The crafters of Firefly Vodka products and Sea Island Rum served up a “Skinny” tea with blueberries, the Charleston Julep and a Sea Island Bushwhacker made with Java rum.
While this event did showcase the food of the “new” South, it certainly put the spotlight on this city which has worked decades to turn a dark and dirty downtown into a thriving business and entertainment district. The result has garnered the attention of people from Atlanta and Charlotte looking for weekend getaways as well as people from other parts of the country looking for something surprising.
“Taste of the South” kicked off the weekend events at Euphoria, where you eat, sip and listen to your heart’s content.
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