Grand American – Orangeburg businesses prepared for crowds

Applebee’s Grill and Bar, for instance, doubles its number of servers to handle the influx of patrons, General Manager Dixie Miller said.

“We order extra products to come in and then we look forward to serving them every year,” she said.

“We get really, really busy for the Grand American,” Miller said. “It is great experience not only for my team members but for the people that are coming.”

The Grand American is scheduled for Thursday through Sunday at the Orangeburg County Fairgrounds. Tens of thousands of visitors are expected to come out to the annual event, which is one of the largest field trials in the United States.

Miller said the event is great for the city and the restaurant.

“It brings a lot of traffic – people who normally wouldn’t come here. It lets people see our little town and what we have to offer,” she said.

At the Dukes Bar-B-Que on Whitman Street, Manager Frank Myers says the restaurant makes sure it is ready for the influx of visitors.

“We ramp up staffing to help with the many additional customers, and also order extra supplies,” Myers said. “Historically, the Grand American Coon Hunt weekend is one of our best weekends of the year.”

“The boost in the economy helps the local restaurants, motels, gas stations, etc. get the New Year off on the right foot,” Myers said.

Orangeburg Comfort Inn and Suites General Manger LaTonya Edwards said people begin booking rooms for the weekend in November.

The event generates revenue for the community, she said.

“You have the local businesses that will be impacted and able to have tourists come in and see the services that are provided from those businesses,” she said. “Hopefully they will take a little piece of Orangeburg home from wherever they are traveling from.”

Grand American President David McKee said early indications are that this will be a “big year” for the Grand American.

“Pre-entries are up, and the campground is full,” McKee said.

McKee said there was an effort to bring in different vendors “to add more variety to our event.” He said 86 are confirmed to attend.

“Come visit the vendors, watch the bench shows, treeing contests, buy a puppy, or just grab lunch,” he said.

The event, which is presented by American Cooner magazine, will kick off with a Coon Fest for early arrivals at noon Thursday. The event will feature food, country music, entertainment and door prizes.

The Orangeburg County Chamber of welcomes the organizers and leaders of the event by hosting an invitation-only steak dinner for the Grand American board and representatives of the United Kennel Club.

“The Grand American Coon Hunt is a cherished Orangeburg tradition, older than the Rose Festival, bringing family-oriented fun and excitement to our community,” Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce President James McQuilla said.

“This event not only highlights world-class dog shows and coon hunting, but also provides a significant boost to our local economy,” he said.

McQuilla encouraged the community to come out in support of the event.

“Let’s celebrate this unique part of Orangeburg’s rich heritage together!” McQuilla said.

Opening ceremonies for the main event will be Friday beginning at 10 a.m. in the Bates Building at the fairgrounds. Early forecasts indicate that temperatures will be seasonal for the event with highs in the 50s and lows in the 30s. No rain is forecast.

The Grand American features skilled hounds from all over the country. Dog/owner teams compete for various prizes.

The Grand American includes nightly competitive hunts in which coonhounds and their handlers earn points for treeing and identifying raccoons.

The raccoons are not killed or attacked in the hunt.

Handlers also get to show their dogs. Two bench shows are planned.

The event also provides visitors with an opportunity to buy and sell dogs and to visit the vendors specializing in outdoor gear specifically designed for the coon hunter.

There will also be plenty of food, including sweet treats such as elephant ears and mini-donuts.

People who don’t hunt are welcome to attend. Dog lovers and those who love artwork will also find plenty to see.

The Grand American typically brings in about 25,000 to 30,000 visitors, according to the Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce.

While the UKC Autumn Oaks hunt in Indiana tends to attract slightly more dogs, the Grand American attracts more visitors.

The Grand American got its start in the 1960s when prominent coon hunters searched for a hunt in a warmer climate because snow prevented much winter hunting in the North.

A panel of national competition hunters was formed, including some hunters from The T&D Region.

One of its members, Jim Mathis of Denmark, met with the newly formed Orangeburg Coon Hunters Association’s president, Lynn Anderson, who agreed to have the initial hunt in Orangeburg.