CAMDEN, S.C. — It's about that time for ladies to grab their finest hats and for men to bust out their seersucker or favorite sport coat with the Carolina Cup just days away.
The annual steeplechase horse race in Camden is expected to bring 30,000 people to the Springdale Race Course, and that means more customers for local shops and restaurants.
"Having the Carolina Cup in Camden is so important to me ... when you go around the country, people say, 'Where are you from' and you say, 'Camden, South Carolina,' and they say 'I went to the Cup 20 years ago.' The Tack Room Owner Adriane Potter said. "It's something we're so proud to have here, and it really means a lot to us as a community."
The Tack Room is a one-stop shop for all equestrian needs. Potter says they've been welcoming shoppers all week long ahead of the Carolina Cup.
"We've already got a few folks in here for the race this weekend, but Friday we will have people from sun up to sundown, Potter said. "We definitely have a lot of the horsemen that are visiting that need things for the races, but mostly we have a lot of racegoers who come in for accessories or maybe a tailgating piece."
Other shops like Pink Stable say this weekend is huge for them.
"It is like a big fashion show, so everyone looking for the perfect dress all month long," Pink Stable Owner Kathryn Couch said. "We get in tons of inventory for the Cup, and everyone wants to wear something different. They usually wait last minute to see what the weather is, so thankfully it's been really busy this week."
Boutiques aren't the only ones welcoming dozens of people. Restaurants like The Every Day Gourmet are preparing for dozens of catering orders, along with walk-in customers.
"Everything from ham delight and barbeque, pasta, and various other things, and this year it's a pretty good size compared to the past," Every Day Gourmet Owner Clayton Daniels said.
For those headed to the Carolina Cup, tickets are still available, and gates open at 9 am.