By: Natalie M. Zeigler
City Manager
School’s out and summer is here! This means that all of Hartsville’s youngest residents have lots of time to fill before school resumes in late August. Whether it be rainy or sunny, there are plenty of activities that the City of Hartsville has to offer families, teenagers, and children of all ages to enjoy. Please enjoy our top 10 things to do this summer in Hartsville!
#1: Enjoy a day at Piratesville Splash Pad. Cool off and have fun splashing around at the many water features that this attraction at Byerly Park has to offer. Rent out the Splash Pad or the Cove for a birthday party.
#2: Go on a downtown Scavenger Hunt with “Tales on the Town”. Follow the clues to various downtown sites and find the bronze fox statue. Stop in and visit downtown stores along the way.
#3: On a rainy day, explore the history of Hartsville at the Hartsville Museum. When it’s sunny explore more history at the Coker Farm’s National Historic Landmark.
#4: Relax and enjoy the playgrounds at any one of our beautiful parks (Lawton Park, Byerly Park, Burry Park, and Pride Park). Each of our parks offer different types of playground equipment. Handicap-able equipment is available at Lawton Park, Byerly Park, and Pride Park. Enjoy our new large swings at Burry Park!
#5: Take a walk through Kalmia Gardens. This beautiful site includes the historic Thomas Hart House as well as a boardwalk which allows visitors to see the cypress swamp of Black Creek and the tall bluff overlooking it. At Kalmia, visitors can learn more about Hartsville’s unique plant and animal life as well as its waterways.
#6: Visit the Hartsville Farmer’s Market and the Centennial Farmers Market for activities for kids. Vendors include both produce and art. The Hartsville Farmer’s Market is held monthly on the Second Saturday of the month at the 100 block of Carolina Ave. from 9am – 1pm. The Centennial Farmers Market is held at Centennial Park every Thursday from 4-7pm. Visit, mainstreethartsville.org for more information about these markets.
#7: View an outdoor movie at Burry Park through Hartsville’s “Screen on the Green” series. This event is held every other Saturday until mid-August. View the schedule on the City’s website for movie titles and dates.
#8: Sign up for an art class with the Black Creek Arts Council or take a walk through the Gallery. Visit blackcreekarts.org for information about classes and gallery displays.
#9: Relax with a good book and story time at the Hartsville Memorial Library. For a schedule of events and their Summer Reading Program visit, darlington-lib.org
#10: Adopt and paint a fire hydrant in downtown. Fill out an application from the City’s website with your design and choice of hydrant. When approved, have fun decorating your own hydrant.
To find out more about some of these activities and events, visit hartsvillesc.gov. To view other family friendly downtown events, visit our community calendar, go.activecalendar.com/events-of-hartsville.
Natalie Zeigler is the City Manager of Hartsville. For more information, call City Hall at 843-383-3015 or email info2@hartsvillesc.gov.