“Lilyfest” Is Saturday At This South Carolina State Park
“Lilyfest,” a festival to celebrate the world’s largest population of Rocky Shoals Spider Lilies, is Saturday at South Carolina’s Landsford Canal State Park.
The beautiful, delicate flowers make their home on the shoals of the Catawba River at Landsford Canal, about an hour south of Charlotte. Their peak blooming season runs late May through June, but the flowers are often visible into August.
“Lilyfest” is 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and will feature live music, a food truck, and more than 20 vendors. Festival-goers can also enjoy guided nature hikes along the Catawba River.
Visitors to the park can view the spider lilies from a flat, leisurely walk along the river. “It’s very accessible,” said Landsford Canal State Park ranger Zack Gross. “Lots of people come down with motorized wheelchairs. It’s like a hard-packed asphalt material.”
Although you can see plenty from the shores of the Catawba River, the number one way to get up close and personal with the spider lilies is by canoe or kayak. “I’d say one of the best ways to see them is in a boat because you are right down there with them and can get in the middle of them,” Gross said.
To get to Landsford Canal State Park from Charlotte, take I-77 south to Rock Hill exit 77 (US 21). From there, take US 21 south about 13 miles into Chester County to Park Drive. Park admission is $6 for adults, $3.75 for SC seniors, and $3.25 for children 6-15. Children under 6 are admitted free.
Gross said weekends are the busiest, especially if the weather is good.
