Page 29 - 2021 Clemson Community Guide

CONTACTS:
Expo Center at Garrison Arena
Please complete the online reservation
request form at clemson.edu/extension/
garrison/request-g.html or call (864) 646-2717.
• Pat Brown | pbrwn@clemson.edu
• Chris Heintze | heintze@clemson.edu

The Iron Oak Barn
• Jordan Bannister, event coordinator
jordan@lakehartwellcountry.com
(770) 773-6159

According to Christopher Heintze, T.
The Iron Oak Barn Ed Garrison Arena’s director, the goal of
the Expo Center at Garrison Arena is to
provide a space that can host large events all
When we meet again, celebrate the people of South Carolina: year while boosting tourism and the local
economy. The addition of this new center
Clemson will be ready their weddings, birthdays, graduations, will help the arena attract additional types
retirements, corporate meetings, concerts,
of events such as tradeshows and home
and garden shows, as well as club and high
and other gatherings. It can easily
I
By Michelle Lane
soaring roof and on its large patio, along
types of events that require greater capacity
n person meetings and events came to Constructed of various types of wood, the accommodate 250-300 people under its school sports games and tournaments – the
and versatility for venues that the main
with hundreds of cars in the parking lots.
a standstill in 2020, but it was during Iron Oak Barn now sits on 1.5 acres and arena has not been able to offer in the past.
this time that work continued on two encompasses 8,000 square feet of event To date, only private events have been held
new Clemson Area event venues so space. Every detail is lovingly recaptured there, yet there are plans for more of its own Although there were challenges faced during
that events of all types will have a place as and reminiscent of the past, from blacksmith- public events and fundraisers in its future. 2020, the Expo Center is well on its way
the community opens up to larger gatherings. wrought hinges and door handles to the to expected completion in early summer
Old English cylindrical ship lantern that’s a Expo Center at Garrison Arena 2021. Further in the future, plans include a
The Iron Oak Barn working light fixture. To meet the current market demand for conference center addition that will attach at
The second new facility is the Iron Oak large event space, welcome the Expo Center the southeast corner of the Expo Center and
Barn on the grounds of the Bart Garrison Many pieces of the original McGee at Garrison Arena. You’ve probably seen the extend toward the main arena.
Agricultural Museum of South Carolina in Mule Barn, such as parts of its roof, are big yellow earthmovers and heard the trucks
Pendleton. The term “new” is a misnomer, as on display in the exhibit room in the as they rumble around the construction site. T. Ed Garrison Arena’s main enclosed
this former McGee Mule Barn was built in the newly renovated structure. Pieces are also This stand-alone, 43,000 square-foot, heated arena encompasses two acres. An additional
early 1900s in rural Starr, S.C. In 2018, this rural incorporated structurally throughout other and cooled building, complete with Wi-Fi 45,000 square-foot, covered, open-air arena
landmark was facing the wrecking ball until areas of the Iron Oak Barn to help preserve access, will boast an open area encompassing connected behind it is suited for a second
Bar E Enterprises of Iva, S.C., a company and convey the barn’s historical character 32,000 square feet, and a mezzanine show ring or warm-up area. While these
specializing in agricultural construction, and rustic elegance. measuring another 10,000 square feet. This structures comprise the Southeast’s premier
carefully disassembled the barn, moved it enormous space, its key architectural feature, multipurpose livestock showcase facility,
some 30 miles, and restored it, a process that Today, the Iron Oak Barn not only celebrates will accommodate large-scale product trade events such as concerts have also been
took more than two years to complete. South Carolina’s history, but also helps shows and up to 2,000 guests at one time. held there.
(864) 654-1200 | VisitClemson.com (864) 654-1200 | VisitClemson.com VII