Maintain Local (Bow) Ties

By: Taft Matney

The unofficial start of Spring in South Carolina is just a couple of weeks away as more than 60,000 of my closest friends prepare to gather in the state’s oldest inland city for one of the nation’s premier steeplechase events.

It’s time for the Carolina Cup in Camden.

Ladies are planning tailgate menus, picking out the perfect dresses, and searching for hats envied at a British royal wedding.

As for the gentlemen…

Over the past several years, as they increased in overall sartorial popularity, bow ties now dot Springdale Race Course’s landscape.

Corporate sponsorships are a big business. Companies want their products seen and used where they get the most bang for their buck. The Carolina Cup is no stranger to these arrangements, and there is again an “official bow tie” sponsor for The Cup.

Unfortunately, although we have a number of Palmetto State-produced clothiers, this sponsor “ain’t from around here.” Instead, it’s a company who operates in a “vineyard” environment with “vines” that grow to our north.

In full disclosure, I own one of their ties. It’s a good tie, and I really like it, but it’s not what I’ll be wearing on March 30. Why? The Cup is a Carolina day. We celebrate the end of winter, the coming of Spring, and showcase one of the state’s great social events.

We take pride in our “Certified SC Grown” agricultural products. We actively promote the state’s tourism destinations. We brag as we continue being listed on every foodie list of places to travel for great eats. Why, then, would we not support local clothing companies at an event like The Cup?

I’m not endorsing a particular brand, but the folks at R. Hanauer are a prime example of a local company that would make a perfect fit for a local “official sponsor” of such a high-profile event.

To officials at The Cup and other notable events in the state, I would urge you to court home-grown sponsors before stepping outside the state line.

To soon-to-be Cup attendees, I would urge to you “buy local” when you can. We have a number of people and companies in South Carolina to be proud of. Let’s remember to support them and continue showing the rest of the country what we have to offer.