Carolina Cup is coming 🐎
It’s that time of year again to reach into the back of your closet for those seeksucker suits and wide brim hats. The 84th annual Carolina Cup is coming down the stretch, ~40 mins from Cola in Camden, S.C., next Saturday, March 31. (A.k.a. the day before Easter Sunday. Time to make plans for a #DayTrip with family visiting from out-of-town.)

The annual horse race is known for its epic tailgates + fashion just as much, if not more, than the races themselves. It’s a huge draw for people from all over S.C., from college students to families.

What’s your favorite Cup memory? 🐎 We asked you, and here’s what you said:

“Mimosas, Bloody Mary's, rain boots, BIG hats, actually "seeing a horse", race bets, tailgating, making new friends and celebrating old ones! Next weekend will be my 21st Carolina Cup… haven't missed one since moving to Columbia to attend USC!” –Heather

“Haha my parents have a retired ambulance transformed into a tailgating machine! We take it to all of the games plus the cup!” –Rachel“Cup brings the ‘83 USC Kappa Sigma’s and their families together each year. We each have our food assignment. $1 random bets add to the fun.” –Barbara

As an Atlanta-native who’s desperately trying to prove herself as a bonafide South Carolinian, I’ve tailgated at Carolina Cup for the past five years with said UofSC Kappa Sig Class of ‘83 (a.k.a. my friend’s dad + his friends). And in the early years, I hopped between that prime piece of Infield real estate right beside the race track (occupied by my close childhood friend’s family, whose dad annually throws down with his fraternity brothers at Cup like it’s 1983 again) and the Pi Kapp tent at College Park.

Since I’m basically an expert, at tailgating on both sides of the grandstand, I’ve put together a how-to guide for any Cup virgins out there who want to know why they should attend + what to expect at S.C.’s premiere (read: bougiest + rowdiest) social event of the spring season.

🐎 How do I reserve a tent or get tickets?

Don’t worry about the event selling out – an unlimited number of general admission tickets can be purchased for $45 online or day-of at the event.

If you are interested in hosting your own tailgating spot, a limited number of tent spaces are still available online. You can even reserve a tent to be placed on your spot for an additional fee by selecting the option on the order screen.

Infield spaces have tiered parking options starting at $125 and going all the way up to $225. Call 803-432-6513 with questions or to reserve a spot.

Click to view a map + purchase tickets.

🐎 When (and how) should I arrive in Camden?
Greek life ships ‘em in and out via chartered buses, so you’ll see a lot of those. If you’re not renting your group’s own bus or hiring a driver, appoint a designated driver – because trust me, you’ll need one. Do not drink and drive (ever, and especially not now). You’ll usually see several cars pulled over – so make sure to you wear your seatbelt, don’t have any open containers in your vehicle and drive the speed limit.

Here’s the official Carolina Cup schedule:

8 a.m. | Gates for College Park open

9 a.m. | All gates open

11 a.m. | Hospitality Terrace & Luncheon Tents open

11:45 a.m. | Color Guard Presented by Camden Military Academy

12 p.m. | National Anthem

1 p.m. | Horses to the Paddock for first race

1:30 p.m. | First race begins

4 p.m.(ish) | Races wrap up

🐎 What else can I expect to see, besides a horse race?

Depending on who you’re tailgating with, the daylong social event is about as highbrow South Carolina as you can get. And even if you don’t have a tent of your own, the people- (and outfit-) watching is well worth the $45 general admission ticket.

Tailgaters in the Infield spare no expense. Folding tables are dressed with tablecloths, floral arrangements and at least three varieties of pimento cheese.

On the other side of the track, however, is an entirely different scene – College Park. Tents don the Greek alphabet, and sorority girls in Lilly dresses dance to trap rap on top of U-Hauls. In honor of College Park’s final year at Cup (RIP; you don’t know what you’re missing, future UofSC Greek life), check out this Total Frat Move video of what you can expect at Camden’s finest frat lots.

Besides tailgating + horse races, the Cup also has terrier races, a vendor village (with swag from preppy companies like Lauren James + Southern Tide) and activities + games for children (yes, Cup is kid-friendly).

🐎 Is there a dress code and can I bring my little pink horsey starlight starbright?

Remember Hey Girl Hey Howie? If you know, you know.

Cup attire for women usually includes a sundress (now’s the time to whip out that Lilly dress), wide-brim hat and comfortable sandals (you’ll probably be on you feet most of the day). Bonus points if any of the aforementioned items are monogrammed.

Where to shop locally:

👒LaRoque | dresses, monogrammed sashes

👒Pink Sorbet | Lilly Pulitzer dresses

👒Just The Thing | dresses, jewelry, shoes

👒Marbella’s Fine Hats and Accessories | derby hats

👒2G’s Clothing | derby hats

Cup attire for men typically includes dress pants in a fun color, a button down and a bow tie. Bonus points if you go all out and don a full searsucker suit.

Where to shop locally:

👞Britton’s | dress pants, button downs, bow ties, belts, shoes

👞Granger Owings | dress pants, button downs, bow ties, belts, shoes

🐎 What do I bring to tailgate?

🥂To drink | You can’t go wrong with a mimosa kit or bloody mary bar – but trust us, standing outside in the sun all day will leave you parched. Bring a pack of water bottles.

🧀To eat | Traditional Cup tailgates look something like Gourmet Shop’s entire menu. Think fancy cheese, pimento cheese + spreads, shrimp cocktail, homemade party mix, chicken salad sandwiches on croissants, etc. If you’re not exactly handy in the kitchen (me), drop into Gourmet Shop or Crave Artisan Specialty Market’s prepared foods section.

🐎 More of your Cup memories + traditions:

“Mimosas, Bloody Mary's, rain boots, BIG hats, actually "seeing a horse", race bets, tailgating, making new friends and celebrating old ones! Next weekend will be my 21st Carolina Cup....haven't missed one since moving to Columbia to attend USC!” –Heather

“Haha my parents have a retired ambulance transformed into a tailgating machine! We take it to all of the games plus the cup!” –Rachel

“Oh brittany’s dad has a tent and he always cooks a bunch of steak and salmon and other yummy things easily the best tent at the cup.” –@errrnroot

“Cup brings the ‘83 USC Kappa Sigma’s and their families together each year. We each have our food assignment. $1 random bets add to the fun.” –Barbara

Now for the fun throwback photos. Can you spot your parents?

Carolina Cup ca. 1940 | Image courtesy Camden Archives and Museum

Carolina Cup ca. 1940 | Image courtesy Camden Archives and Museum

Carolina Cup in the ‘70s + ‘80s | Image courtesy Camden Archives and Museum

Carolina Cup in the ‘70s + ‘80s | Image courtesy Camden Archives and Museum

Here’s a photo of my boyfriend Bryant + I in College Park at my first Carolina Cup as a freshman in college:

And one from last year at the Kappa Sig Class of ‘83 tailgate with my friend Lauren:

Headed to Camden next weekend? I’m not (it’s the first year I’m missing it in my six years of attending – but I’ll be OOO in Costa Rica). Send me all your photos + stories, and I will add them to our website.

Cheers,

–Beth