Belton Events Scheduled During the Winter & Spring:

Events and activities scheduled for Belton during the winter and early spring, emphasizing Belton’s slogan “A Historic Heart….with a new beat!” include:

• Combo Kings:  Enjoy great music and dancing….and open to the public at the Listening Room on Main.  $10/person admission.  The doors open at the Listening Room at 6:30 and the band plays from 7:30 until 9:45  Wine, beer, soft drinks and water are sold for $4.  The band usually performs on Tuesday evenings.  See the separate post on the Combo Kings for their latest schedule. 
• Artists’ Gathering, Belton Center for the Arts-Every Tuesday morning from 10:00 to 12:00.  Members of the Belton Center for the Arts are offered the opportunity to use the upstairs classroom at no charge.  Get inspiration or critique from other artists if you’d like, or just work independently.  Depending on interest, live models may be available occasionally.  Bring your own materials and no instruction is provided.  Email Mary Anne Porter at [email protected] if you are interested in attending.  No registration is required.
• Student Studio, Belton Center for the Arts-Thursdays 3:30 to 5:00 for students ages 12 to 18 who are looking for private lessons to expand their artistic abilities.  The curriculum follows South Carolina state standards and the instructor (Madison Ashley) works directly with students and their parents to ensure a class that accommodates introductory, intermediate and advance levels.  The cost is $50/month plus a one-time $50 charge for supplies and materials.  Students may begin the course at the beginning of any month or leave at the end of any month.  The program will follow a 10 month curriculum.  Visit Beltoncenterforthearts.org/student-studio for a complete class syllabus.
• Local Geographical Photography Exhibit, Belton Center for the Arts-This exhibit features work by a group of artist photographers.  Together they present an eye-catching exhibit of photographs taken both near and far.  One of the best parts of this exhibit is the stories that can be told behind most pieces in the show.  With every moment captured, there is a story to be told.  The exhibit will remain open during regular Center for the Arts hours through February 10.
• Let it Snow, Belton Area Museum, Belton Depot-Using snow and ice as its core theme, this exhibit brings a winter wonderland to upstate South Carolina.  The exhibit features collections of snow globes of all types and ceramics with snow themes, vintage items need to play and dress for snow days, sports memorabilia from icy sporting events, antique and vintage photos of landmarks in the snow as well as families enjoying the snow, and traditions associated with snowy forecasts.  Patrons will walk through icicles and snowflakes as they enter the museum to find an igloo made from recycled gallon jugs and kids can have a mock snowball fight indoors.  The exhibit will remain open during normal museum hours through March 4.
• Kids Art Classes, Belton Center for the Arts-Featuring 3 classes for children ages 4 to 10….March 1, April 5 and May 3.  Visit beltoncenterforthearts.org or call 864-338-8556 for more information.
• Story Art for the Littles, Belton Center for the Arts-A free activity for preschoolers, along with the parent, to experience art through a story and hands-on project.  10:00 to 11:00 on March 1, April 5 and May 3.
• Appalachian Folklore Tales, Belton Area Museum and Belton-Honea Path Drama Department-February 3 & 4 at 7:00 at the Historic Belton Depot.  The BHP drama department will be presenting five Appalachian tales that focus on the eerie, macabre, or downright scary stories of our mountain heritage.  Some tales originate in supernatural occurrences dating back to the Cherokee days.  Some were brought over by the Scots-Irish who settled the land and others originate from the imaginative folklore tellers of the last century.  Tickets are $5 each and may be purchased at the door.
• Home School Program, Let It Snow!  Belton Area Museum-Thursday, February 9 at 10:00 at the Historic Belton Depot to study the science of snowflakes.  Students will learn about Wilson Bentley, who was the first to photograph individual snowflakes, and the categories of snowflake shapes scientists found from those photographs.  The class will also look at how snowflakes can eventually form glaciers and why glaciers are important to the world’s climate.  The cost is $2/student, ages 7 to 12.  To register, contact the museum at 864-338-7400 or email [email protected]
• Student Art Exhibit, Belton Center for the Arts-Every year the Belton Center for the Arts hosts Anderson School District 2 for a student exhibit featuring all schools.  The show will open Thursday, February 23 from 3:30 to 6:00.  The exhibit will remain open for several weeks after the opening.
• Belton Alliance Annual Membership Meeting and St. Patrick’s Day Celebration, Belton Alliance-Wear your green and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day a few days early….6:00, Tuesday, March 14 at the Listening Room On The Square in downtown Belton.  Food trucks will be on hand.  Complimentary beverages until 7:30.  A membership meeting will be held at approximately 6:45 to review the Belton Alliance’s accomplishments in 2022 and 2023 goals.  Drawings for prizes.  The meeting will be followed by music and dancing by the Combo Kings.  Admission is FREE; waters, soft drinks, wine and beer will be available for purchase after 7:30.
• 9th Annual Community-Wide Rummage and Craft Sale, Belton Area Museum-Saturday, March 25 9:00 to 2:00 at the Historic Belton Depot. $15/booth fee; free to shop!
• 6th Annual BAMA Chili Pepper Golf Tournament, Belton Area Museum Association-Friday, April 21 at Saluda Valley Country Club .   BBQ lunch and putting contest at 12:00.  Shotgun start at 1:30.  Four-man captain’s choice format.  $325/team entry fee.  Great prizes!  Entry deadline April 17.  Contact Alison Darby at 864-958-5264 or [email protected] or Abigail Burden at 864-338-7400 or [email protected] for more information or to register.
• South Carolina Chili Cookoff Championships, Belton Alliance-Saturday, April 22 from 11:00 to 4:00.  Enjoy chili tastings from the best professional cooks on the east coast as well as local amateurs.  See craft vendors and enjoy entertainment by the Combo Kings On the Square in Belton.  Sanctioned by the International Chili Society.  Winners qualify for the World Championships.  The competition will continue Sunday,  April 23 with Eggs & Kegs, a private event for professional cooks only at the Belton Community Center.  All proceeds from the event will be shared with community non-profit organizations.