The spring still gushes, the mountain beckoning to energetic youth to climb—and just like in the 1880s, the tasty barbecue continues to be on sale. Friday marks the annual return of one of the oldest folk festivals in South Carolina with the opening night of the Little Mountain Reunion.

The Woody Windham Show from Oldies 98.5 opens the musical entertainment for the two-day festival at 5 p.m. on Friday. Live performers take the main stage at 7 p.m. with country group The Keith Dominick Band playing until 11 p.m. Rides will also open up at the same time with midway-style entertainment like the Way Out Swings and a rock wall ready for action from 5-11 p.m.

Riders can buy wristbands for a ride-all-you-want evening or individual tickets. Wristbands are good for six-hour spans throughout the festival. On Saturday riders can choose either an 11 a.m.-5 p.m. time span, or the evening of 5-11 p.m. Costs for the wristbands are $10 in advance, at Russell Shealy’s Citgo or the Little Mountain Convenience Store, or $15 during the festival.

Both Friday and Saturday night there will be mechanical bull-riding contest around 8 or 9 p.m.

Festivities pick up again Saturday morning bright and early with an 8K road race at 7 a.m. It starts and ends on Main Street. Runners can register either online at littlemountainreunion.org or arrive at 6:30 a.m. Saturday. Runners will take home a T-shirt included with the price of the registration.

Main Street will continue to swell with folks on foot as the morning goes on, with the parade, currently at 127 entries, rolling at 10 a.m. As the parade ends, the barbecue sales from the Ruritan Club will swing into action. Eight other food vendors will be clustered at the foot of the mountain amongst more than 50 craft and commercial booths.

The stages will also be coming to life around the same time with the “traditional speakings” on the Upper Stage at 11 a.m. and the Barstool Prophets at 11:30 a.m. on the Main Stage.

Both areas will continue to entertain all day with bluegrass music, local dancers, a talent show (Little Mountain Idol) and Southern rock. Beach band The Catalinas will headline the entertainment as the sun sets on the Main Stage playing from 7-11.p.m.