If you're a first-time visitor to the Holy City, there's one iconic experience you can't miss: a real-deal carriage tour. It's not hard to find the old-fashioned open-air carriages as they click and clack their way through the historic districts of the peninsula, starting from City Market. Incredibly knowledgeable tour guides point to the humble, infamous, and famous sights for which Charleston is famous. From soaring church steeples and stunning vistas over the harbor to quaint pocket gardens and four-foot-wide streets, a carriage ride provides a nuanced overview of the complex city we love to call home.
The best tour guides also share tragic, fascinating, and hilarious stories of the men and women who made Charleston the beauty that it is today. And when it comes to the very best carriage tours in Charleston, SC, nobody does it quite as well as Carolina Polo & Carriage Co.
Carolina Polo and Carriage Company, the only carriage company in Charleston owned and operated by Charlestonians since the 1600s, is committed to providing the best experience of the historic "Holy City" to its customers. Our horse-drawn carriages, led by highly trained draft horses, offer a tour of the beauty and history of downtown Charleston, accompanied by rich stories from your guide.
What makes us different from other carriage ride companies is that we are truly passionate about sharing our love for the city of Charleston with anyone who visits. Our carriage tours in Charleston, SC, are sure to leave you smiling with a wealth of knowledge about the South's favorite city, whether it's your first or fifteenth time visiting.
Our amazing horses often steal the show, and are highly trained to provide a fun, safe experience. As the stars of our carriage tours, providing them with care, nutrition, and love is our top priority.
What would a tour of Charleston be without a tour guide who immerses themselves in the history of the Holy City? If you're looking for the perfect mix of accuracy and entertainment, look no further than Carolina Polo& Carriage.
Our carriages are designed for modern times and mix comfort and safety for our horses while maintaining an authentic look. Go ahead, take a seat. You'll love riding around Charleston in style!
Our draft horses are easily recognizable by their tall stature and muscular build, equipped with strong hindquarters that make them perfect for pulling heavy loads. They are capable of effortlessly carrying a carriage full of sightseers, which is comparable to a person casually riding a bicycle. Before becoming carriage horses, most of our horses were working animals on Amish farms.
Our horses are known for their gentle nature and are ideal for pulling carriages. They are trained to ignore the sounds of the city streets and follow the directions given through the reins. We ensure that all of our horses receive the best care and lifestyle possible. They are consistently under the care of equine veterinarians.
To prevent exhaustion, our horses are rotated during the day and are given at least 30 minutes of rest between tours. Moreover, we limit each horse to a maximum of 4 tours per day, 5 days per week. Additionally, we take our horses to the pasture outside of town for two weeks after spending eight weeks downtown. This ensures that they get enough exercise and don't become overweight while also allowing them to roam and relax freely.
While our lineup of horses is subject to change, our currents table includes these superstars:
We treat our horses with love and care, because they are more than just workers to us - they're family.
Our horses are fed low sugar, low starch, high fiber diets of grainless horse feed and high-quality hay. Horses can eat more than 40,000calories, and we're happy to provide them with the feed they need to be active and healthy.
Our horses spend time in their stalls, which are bedded with eco-friendly options that are safe and effective.
We make it a point to keep a close eye on each and every one of our horses from the time we open to the time we close. We take their temperatures, keep them fed, and make sure they're watered well. Every one of our horses gets regular veterinarian appointments, which includes dental care, worming, and other preventative health measures.
Like humans, our horses benefit from shoes that provide traction and cushioning, which keep them comfortable throughout the workday. When their horseshoes need to be replaced, we take them to a farrier for new shoes.
There comes a time in every carriage horse's life when it's time to retire. When our horses are old enough for retirement, we work hard to find horse lovers who are committed to providing loving, exceptional care 24/7.
One of the most popular questions we get at Carolina Polo& Carriage Company is what kind of carriage rides we offer to guests. To satisfy every type of visitor, we offer a range of carriage tours, from group options to private rides. Keep reading to learn more about our itineraries and what you can expect from our sought-after historic horse-drawn tours.
Join us for an unforgettable one-hour group tour through the charming streets of downtown Charleston. Our knowledgeable and passionate guides will bring the history and architecture of Charleston to life before your very eyes. You'll witness stunning gardens and parks, grand mansions, historic churches, and buildings while learning about the people and events that shaped the history of this "Holy City." Don't miss out on this incredible experience!
Our public tours begin at the Historic City Market and cover several possible routes, showing you the most notable and historic sites in Charleston. You will get to witness the Old Exchange building, which is one of the most historic buildings in America and was finished in 1771. It was the last building constructed by the British before the Revolutionary War. The Edmonston Allston House and the historic White Point Gardens, popularly known as "The Battery," are also part of the tour.
During your horse-drawn carriage tour, your guide will enlighten you on the significance of several points of interest along Meeting Street, including the Calhoun Mansion, the Historic House Museum (The Nathaniel Russel House), and First Scott's Presbyterian Church. These highlights are just a fraction of all the incredible historic sights you will see on one of our tours around Charleston, depending on which route your tour takes.
Finally, all our tours end in the Historic City Market, where you are free to enjoy your next Charleston adventure. When you ride with our carriage company, you can be confident that you will have an unforgettable experience of Charleston's rich history and heritage.
When planning to take a tour, please note that tours depart from the Historic City Market every half an hour. To join the tour, you will need to check in at the ticket office located at 45 Pinckney St on your preferred day and indicate your preferred departure time. However, please be aware that during peak season and on weekends, wait times may vary.
Once you are cleared for departure and have boarded the carriage, the City of Charleston Tourism Officials require that all guests check in at the gate before departure. Additionally, for traffic flow and tax reasons, the city randomly assigns one of four routes for each carriage to tour through the historic district of Charleston. This assignment is determined by a spin of a bingo ball machine, with the color that comes up indicating the route or "zone" that the carriage is allowed to tour.
What does Vis-A-Vis mean, you might be asking? In French, it means "face-to-face" and pertains to the way guests were seated in their carriages back in the day. During this memorable carriage tour, you will get to see stunning gardens and parks, grand mansions, historic churches, and other significant buildings. Additionally, you'll learn about the individuals and occurrences that have influenced the history of the "Holy City" that we call home.
As you embark on your tour, you'll be pleased to know that it starts near the Historic City Market, a 200-year-old public market that spreads across four blocks. Though routes vary, you'll get to see some of Charleston's most notable sites, including Rainbow Row. A collection of pre-revolutionary buildings, Rainbow Row is an iconic landmark in Charleston that spans an entire block.
During the tour, you'll also hear about the fascinating history behind several historic homes and mansions, like the Villa Marguerite, the William Washington House, and the Famous #2 Meeting Street Inn. The latter overlooks White Point Gardens and is a popular spot for photography in the southeast.
As you pass through Meeting and Broad Street, you'll come across the Four Corners of Law, which Robert Ripley named the Four Corners of Law in his famous Ripley's Believe It or Not. There are many possible routes for your tour, and these are just a few examples of the sights you could see!
Finally, all tours end in the Historic City Market, leaving you free to explore Charleston's many other adventures.
Please note the following information before your tour begins. Once you have boarded the carriage and are ready to depart, it is mandatory that you check in at the gate, as per the City of Charleston Tourism Officials' regulations.
The city has designated four different routes for the carriages to follow through the historic district of Charleston. To ensure fair traffic flow and for tax purposes, the city randomly assigns each carriage one of these routes through a bingo ball machine. The color that comes up on the machine determines the route or "zone" that the carriage will tour.
To get the necessary information and directions, please approach an attendant at the Carolina Polo & Carriage ticket office, located at 45 Pinckney Street, at least 10 minutes before your scheduled tour start time.
There's no better way to experience the sights and sounds of Charleston than with your friends and family on a horse-drawn carriage! This private tour is ideal for large groups and provides you with an unforgettable look into the city.
Your tour will commence close to the Historic City Market, which is over 200 years old and is one of the oldest public markets in the USA. Depending on the zone you are given, some of the tour highlights may include the French Quarter, where your guide will bring the area to life with stories of the Dock Street Theatre, the French Huguenot Church, and St. Philips Church. You can also visit the Miles Brewton House on King Street, which is famous for its Georgian architecture, the Swordgate House, and St. Michael's Episcopal Church, which is the oldest church building in the city.
If your guide takes you through the streets nearest the Battery, you may catch a glimpse of Fort Sumter and hear the captivating history behind the attack on the fort and the beginnings of the "Late Great Unpleasantness." These are just a few of the sights that you may experience on our various detailed routes around beautiful Charleston. All tours will finish in the Historic City Market, where you can explore and enjoy your next Charleston adventure.
Our carriages are capable of accommodating up to 16 adults or a combination of adults and children. Pricing is per carriage and includes a fully narrated hour-long horse-drawn carriage tour of the historic district. If you have any special requests, please feel free to contact us. After the guests have been loaded onto the carriage and cleared for departure, it is mandatory to check in at the gate prior to departure, as per the City of Charleston Tourism Officials.
For tax purposes and traffic management, the city randomly assigns one of four routes to each carriage via a bingo ball machine. The color of the ball decides the zone that the carriage can tour. To begin the tour, please check in with an attendant at the Carolina Polo & Carriage ticket office located at 45 Pinckney Street 10 minutes before your scheduled tour start time.
When visiting Charleston, it's important to wear comfortable footwear, such as sneakers, ankle boots, or dressier flats. The cobblestone streets and uneven sidewalks are not ideal for hard-soled shoes or high heels. Proper planning and packing according to the forecast and dress code will help you make the most of your vacation!
If you're looking for the most trusted carriage company in Charleston with deep roots in the Lowcountry, Carolina Polo & Carriage should be on top of your list. We take pride in being the only locally owned carriage operation in town. Our business is not just a business, but a family that is deeply ingrained in the Charleston community. With our unique perspective on the city's rich history and vibrant culture, we promise an authentic and unforgettable journey through the charming streets.
If you're looking for something truly special, we have private carriage tours tailored just for you. Our bespoke tours are crafted to meet your every desire, whether it's a romantic evening, a historical adventure, or a fun family outing.
For those once-in-a-lifetime moments, our elegant wedding carriages are perfect. Imagine arriving at your wedding in a fairy-tale carriage and making your special day even more memorable. Our carriages are also perfect for anniversaries, proposals, or any occasion that calls for a touch of class and romance.
Choose Carolina Polo & Carriage Co. for an experience that's more than just a tour - it's a journey into the heart of Charleston. We look forward to seeing your smile very soon.
Workforce housing is the name for apartments and houses rented below market rates for working people with moderate incomes. In Charleston County, where the need is great because market prices are high, most of that housing is owned by for-profit businesses or nonprofit groups. Graphic: Where and how to find workforce housing Each represents workforce housing. Click on the to read more. Brandon Lockett | The Post and Courier | Source: Housing Authority Story continues belowThe rental proper...
Workforce housing is the name for apartments and houses rented below market rates for working people with moderate incomes. In Charleston County, where the need is great because market prices are high, most of that housing is owned by for-profit businesses or nonprofit groups.
Story continues below
The rental properties are scattered about and have many owners, which has made finding them — or even learning they exist — a challenge for potential renters. It's a challenge The Post and Courier addressed in 2023 with the first comprehensive list and resource for finding workforce housing, and this update adds more locations.
There are now more than 350 workforce housing rentals in Charleston County, including more than 50 houses. Thousands more are coming, baked in to long-term development agreements the city of Charleston signed with some of the largest developers.
The largest numbers of existing workforce housing are apartments in some of Charleston's recently built complexes on the peninsula, and those were created due to the city's zoning incentives. Others were built or bought by nonprofit groups, and in some cases financed by local governments using federal funding.
So there might be four apartments in one building, 10 in another, some houses for rent in a different town, and no one keeping track of it all. This article and interactive online map collects them all in one place.
Knowing where they are and how to find them is crucial information in an area where rents and home prices have soared by 30 percent or more since 2020.
Workforce housing is not low-income housing, but it's income-restricted with rents lower than market rates.
Workforce housing typically has income limits for renters that are linked to the area's median income. Median income is the amount where half the people in the area earn more and half earn less. The amounts vary by household size and change yearly.
It may seem complicated, but it's the key to knowing who qualifies for what sort of below-market rate housing. Most workforce rental housing is restricted to those who earn no more than 80 percent of the area's median income — which is more than people might assume.
In 2024, 80 percent AMI (area median income) in Charleston County and throughout the tri-county metro area is:
Those who earn no more than those amounts would be eligible for workforce rental housing, with some exceptions.
Most of the workforce rental housing in the county, more than 150 apartments, was created due to Charleston city zoning incentives that offer perks to developers, such as being allowed to construct taller buildings, in exchange for renting some apartments below market rates.
Six workforce apartments in Mount Pleasant were also prompted by zoning incentives, which are no longer available in that town.
The resulting apartments in Charleston and Mount Pleasant were created by, and are managed by, private developers.
Often, those apartments aren't mentioned on the websites of higher-end apartment complexes, which is where most of them are located. For nearly all of those workforce apartments, the income limit is 80 percent AMI, while the rent is 30 percent of the maximum qualifying income.
For example, for one person, the rent for a workforce apartment in Charleston should be no higher than $1,472.50 monthly this year. For a two-person household, it would be $1,682.50.
Those rents are higher than last year because median incomes have increased, and the rents are tied to a percentage of the allowable renter income.
Most of those apartments are in newer, upscale apartment buildings where market-rate rents are much higher.
In Mount Pleasant, the maximum rent allowed this year at the six workforce apartments at The Boulevard complex on Coleman Boulevard is $1,386 for a studio, $1,424 for a one-bedroom and $1,599 for a two-bedroom.
Those rents are lower than in 2024, because the town changed its standard for workforce rents.
Generally, workforce housing is meant to be affordable, and that's defined as not paying more than 30 percent of one's income for housing. In practice, workforce housing rents are often 30 percent of the maximum qualifying income, but most renters earn less than the maximum allowed, so they can and often do spend more than 30 percent on rent.
While many workforce housing apartments are located on the Charleston peninsula, others can be found in North Charleston, West Ashley and Mount Pleasant. Workforce rental houses can be found in North Charleston, West Ashley and Hollywood.
Here are the apartments available (if there's a vacancy) to those earning no more than 80 percent AMI, which is $58,900 for one person and $67,300 for two.
These are also 80 percent AMI apartments, but with age restrictions. Tenants must be at least 55 years old.
Two apartment complexes on the Charleston peninsula are exceptions to the 80 percent AMI standard. One requires lower incomes, and one allows higher incomes.
In addition, the Charleston Housing Authority owns at least 66 apartments in Charleston County and on Daniel Island in the Charleston city limits that are meant to be rented at below-market rates as workforce housing.
Those can be found listed on magnoliadowns.com, an arm of management company AMCS. Limited information is offered on the website, so consider using Google Maps to check locations. Apartments listed as "the Wando" and "the Cooper" but with no address are in a condominium complex on Daniel Island.
Vacancies in workforce housing rentals can be hard to find. Some complexes maintain waiting lists.
There are 79 houses and townhomes rented as workforce housing, all them using the 80 percent AMI standard unless otherwise noted.
All of the largest developments underway in Charleston — Laurel Island, Point Hope, Magnolia and Long Savannah — have workforce housing requirements. As they get built, those agreements are expected to result in thousands of additional below-market-rate apartments and houses.
North Charleston has also adopted zoning incentives along a lengthy stretch of Rivers Avenue where the Lowcountry Rapid Transit high-speed bus line is planned. There, developers can avoid some land-use restrictions on density and minimum lot sizes if at least 20 percent of the units are workforce housing at the 80 percent AMI standard.
Reach David Slade at 843-937-5552. Follow him on X @DSladeNews.
MORNING NEWSBREAK | The S.C. State Ports Authority (SPA) says it is hoping for a rebound when its new fiscal year starts July 1. After a year of obstacles slowing down cargo and tightening its budget, the SPA projects a 3% in container traffic over the next 12 months.The current fiscal year is expected to finish with a 3.75% drop in container tot...
MORNING NEWSBREAK | The S.C. State Ports Authority (SPA) says it is hoping for a rebound when its new fiscal year starts July 1. After a year of obstacles slowing down cargo and tightening its budget, the SPA projects a 3% in container traffic over the next 12 months.
The current fiscal year is expected to finish with a 3.75% drop in container totals due to a combination of a software failure that shut down the port for about 72 hours in May, a construction project that reduced berth space at Wando Welch Terminal and global events like a drought in the Panama Canal that limited traffic.
Officials said the port expects to handle nearly 1.42 million boxes in the coming fiscal year, compared to 1.375 million containers the SPA is estimating for fiscal 2024.
If projections hold true, it would help the SPA swing from a projected $4.4 million loss in the current fiscal year to a $5.2 million gain in operating earnings for fiscal 2025, according to the plan.
In City Paper news today:
CP OPINION: Reject wasteful spending with a ‘no’ to Charleston sales tax referendum. “This new proposed referendum is fiscally irresponsible for one big reason — wasteful spending on interest. While we fully understand the concept and strategy of bonded indebtedness — borrowing now and paying off the debt with interest — how do you feel knowing that 64.8 billion of those sales tax pennies will be spent on interest costs alone?”
CP CARTOON:
CP FOCUS: DHEC hands off restaurant inspections to new agency. The state Department of Health and Environmental Control formally will transfer its food safety staff to the S.C. Department of Agriculture’s Consumer Protection Division in less than two weeks. Inspectors will continue to oversee inspections of 22,000 retail food establishments across South Carolina.
CP NEWS: A CP guide on how to make the most of your summer in the Lowcountry. Here’s a 2024 guide on the best places to spend your beach days, grab your summer sips, hit a local farmers markets and more in the Lowcountry.
CP NEWS: Gullah Geechee corridor fills new climate position. The Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor is a National Heritage Area managed by the Gullah Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor Commission. The corridor’s purpose is to preserve, share and interpret the history, traditional cultural practices, heritage sites, and natural resources associated with Gullah Geechee people of coastal North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida.
CP FOOD: Timbo’s looking for new home for peanut trailer. A dispute with the landlord drove Timothy “Timbo” Grainger to look elsewhere for a parking spot for his business, which he depends on for a living.
CP MUSIC: Morant’s new studio series features Charleston collabs. Charleston poet and musician Christian Morant is launching a new studio series where he collaborates with local musicians to celebrate Charleston’s indie music scene.
In other recent headlines:
Charleston snags spots on ‘Best of the best’ list. Popular travel website Tripadvisor has ranked Charleston among its 2024 Travelers’ Choice Awards’ ‘Best of the Best’ in several categories including food destinations and top destinations.
Hearing delayed for ex-Charleston city councilman. An ethics hearing that was scheduled to take place this week in a case against a former Charleston city councilman Harry Griffin has been postponed, most likely mid-October.
Charleston-area kitchen abruptly closes. In an email to tenants, the owners of KTCHeN in North Charleston said facility violations prompted the property’s landlord to ask the commissary kitchen to vacate its space in a North Charleston strip mall by the end of the month.
Plans for mixed-use development on King Street moving forward. The City of Charleston will consider a plan to renovate and expand the 1000 King Street Apartments and add other-mixed use buildings on the nearly four-acre site.
$19M drainage contract approved for work at Charleston intersection. The City of Charleston is finalizing contracts for construction of a wet pond and pumping station that will reduce flooding at the intersection of Huger and King Streets in downtown Charleston.
Mount Pleasant interconnective plan to include Mathis Ferry trail expansion. Mount Pleasant is applying for Charleston County funding, which will allow the town to change the sidewalk widths from four feet to 10 on an existing trail on Mathis Ferry Road.
Lowcountry native named to USA Tennis Olympics team.Lowcountry native Emma Navarro was named to the U.S. Olympic Tennis Team for the 2024 games in Paris.
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - The City of Charleston is finalizing contracts for construction of a wet pond and pumping station that will reduce flooding at the intersection of Huger and King Streets.Charleston Stormwater Management Department Director Matthew Fountain says people who live nearby, many in the affordable housing at the William Enston House, are all too familiar with the impact flooding has on the area.“When we have storms, currently that intersection will be multiple feet deep and it will stay flooded for some...
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - The City of Charleston is finalizing contracts for construction of a wet pond and pumping station that will reduce flooding at the intersection of Huger and King Streets.
Charleston Stormwater Management Department Director Matthew Fountain says people who live nearby, many in the affordable housing at the William Enston House, are all too familiar with the impact flooding has on the area.
“When we have storms, currently that intersection will be multiple feet deep and it will stay flooded for sometimes more than a day. So it’s a real impact. We also have a city fire station that’s just past the intersection and Huger Street that council keeps pointing out has a jon boat in it to try to do water rescues occasionally for people because the flooding is so bad in this area,” Fountain says.
The city secured $10 million in a South Carolina Infrastructure Improvement Grant, which it will augment with $9.6 million of its own money.
“That’s to build a what we call a wet well, which is basically like a very large pond to hold the water that then the pumps can pump out of the pump stick, and then the outfall pipes that will flow to the east under the overpass and into Newmarket Creek,” Fountain says.
Fountain says work will get going in the next few months, with a projected completion in Spring of 2026. While it’s a long project, he says it is much needed for many reasons.
“This one was such an important project because of sort of the nature of the peninsula. You know, King Street is a major highway basically in this section for north-south corridors, one of the evacuation routes, the access to the interstate in the area to major state road. Then Huger Street is one of the only cross streets of the peninsula in this area,” Fountain says.
The work isn’t expected to cause many road closures or require night work. Fountain says the department has already replaced stormwater pipes under the road when Charleston Water System also did a pipe replacement in recent years. Since the nearby affordable housing at Enston is on the National Registrar of Historic Places, the Board of Architectural Review set some aesthetic requirements for the project.
“It’s this very beautiful housing development that has a lot of historical value to it. That neighborhood will have sort of a park like element to it as well around the well, and make it aesthetically pleasing. So we’re not we’re not talking about more of like a traditional pump station where you think of a cinderblock building and a lot of heavy equipment. We’re making something that is an amenity to the neighborhood in addition to being a important piece of infrastructure,” Fountain says.
Click here for more information about the Huger and King Street Drainage Improvements Project.
Copyright 2024 WCSC. All rights reserved.
"Tidal schedules, port operations, ship capacity and other factors all also play a role in departure scheduling," the website noted. "Cruise travelers should always stay in close communication with their cruise line for updated details on any possible itinerary changes, departure adjustments, delays or other notices as their sailing date approaches."And if a 30-minute head start isn't enough, Carnival is still offering its Faster to the Fun program, which lets passengers bypass long lines with priority check-in and...
"Tidal schedules, port operations, ship capacity and other factors all also play a role in departure scheduling," the website noted. "Cruise travelers should always stay in close communication with their cruise line for updated details on any possible itinerary changes, departure adjustments, delays or other notices as their sailing date approaches."
And if a 30-minute head start isn't enough, Carnival is still offering its Faster to the Fun program, which lets passengers bypass long lines with priority check-in and early cabin access. For cruises leaving Charleston, that service is available for $99.95 per stateroom.
In golf, a 16 is an embarrassingly high score — unless it’s referring to the number of Palmetto State courses that have made a new ranking of some of the best places to play the game.
In this instance, Golfweek recently released its top 200 U.S. tracts built in the modern era, defined as since 1960.
South Carolina is home to a whopping 16 of them, led by The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island Golf Resort, which was rated at No. 14 overall and where the PGA Championship will return for third time in 2031.
All but two of the other layouts are along the coast between Georgetown County and Hilton Head Island. The exceptions are Sage Valley Golf Club near Aiken, which was tied for No. 49, and the Cliffs at Mountain Park in Travelers Rest, which was tied for No. 129.
The others that made Golfweek's cut are: Congaree in Ridgeland (tied for No. 24); Harbour Town Golf Links and Long Cove on Hilton Head (Nos. 59 and 70 respectively); Secession near Beaufort (tied for No. 86); Colleton River Club’s Pete Dye design in Bluffton (tied for No. 107). Old Tabby Links in Okatie (tied for No. 134); Cassique on Kiawah (tied for No. 147) May River at Palmetto Bluff in Bluffton; the River Course on Kiawah (tied for No. 176); Chechessee Creek in Okatie (tied for 187); Caledonia Golf & Fish Club on Pawleys Island (tied for No. 187); and Colleton River's Jack Nicklaus layout in Bluffton (tied No. 200).
Before crowning the winners of the Carolinas' Miss USA pageant, RPM Productions announced this was their last year with Miss USA. The Aiken-based production company is the latest among a growing number of partner organizations — and titleholders — to leave Miss USA amid claims of strong-armed leadership and a toxic work environment.Buy NowTatiana Logan eats backstage at the Miss North Carolina and South Carolina USA pageant at the North Charleston Per...
Before crowning the winners of the Carolinas' Miss USA pageant, RPM Productions announced this was their last year with Miss USA. The Aiken-based production company is the latest among a growing number of partner organizations — and titleholders — to leave Miss USA amid claims of strong-armed leadership and a toxic work environment.
Tatiana Logan eats backstage at the Miss North Carolina and South Carolina USA pageant at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center, Saturday, June 15, 2024, in North Charleston.
Contestants wait backstage during the evening gown category at the Miss North Carolina and South Carolina USA pageant at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center on June 15.
Aamani Jones, Miss Charleston, competes in the swimsuit category at the Miss North Carolina and South Carolina USA pageant at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center, Saturday, June 15, 2024, in North Charleston. Jones went on to the top five of Miss South Carolina USA.
Contestants wear a variety of high heeled shoes at the Miss North Carolina and South Carolina USA pageant at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center, Saturday, June 15, 2024, in North Charleston.
Guests wear pins in support of their favorite contestants at the Miss North Carolina and South Carolina USA pageant at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center, Saturday, June 15, 2024, in North Charleston.
Guests stand outside before the Miss North Carolina and South Carolina USA pageant at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center, Saturday, June 15, 2024, in North Charleston.
Clara Grace Phillips, 9, poses for a photo taken by her mother before the Miss North Carolina and South Carolina USA pageant at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center, Saturday, June 15, 2024, in North Charleston. Phillips was named Little Miss Lowcountry 2024 and participated in the Miss USA Fantasy camp the prior week.
McKenzie Keasler, 9, gets a kiss on the cheek in the lobby before the Miss North Carolina and South Carolina USA pageant at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center, Saturday, June 15, 2024, in North Charleston. Keasler is the current Miss South Carolina Princess for America in the Ideal Miss system. She also attended the Miss USA fantasy camp over the past week.
Guests stand in the lobby before the Miss North Carolina and South Carolina USA pageant at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center, Saturday, June 15, 2024, in North Charleston.
Guests stand in the lobby before the Miss North Carolina and South Carolina USA pageant at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center, Saturday, June 15, 2024, in North Charleston.
Contestants wait before the Miss North Carolina and South Carolina USA pageant at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center, Saturday, June 15, 2024, in North Charleston.
Contestants wait before the Miss North Carolina and South Carolina USA pageant at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center, Saturday, June 15, 2024, in North Charleston.
Peyton Brown poses on stage at the Miss North Carolina and South Carolina USA pageant at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center, Saturday, June 15, 2024, in North Charleston.
Contestants walk onstage during the Miss North Carolina and South Carolina USA pageant at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center, Saturday, June 15, 2024, in North Charleston.
Judges watch contestants at the Miss North Carolina and South Carolina USA pageant at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center, Saturday, June 15, 2024, in North Charleston.
Contestants wait backstage during the evening gown competition at the Miss North Carolina and South Carolina USA pageant at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center, Saturday, June 15, 2024, in North Charleston.
Contestants untangle their gowns during the Miss North Carolina and South Carolina USA pageant at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center, Saturday, June 15, 2024, in North Charleston.
Maritsa Platis and Kaylee Stavlas pray in Greek backstage during the evening gown competition at the Miss North Carolina and South Carolina USA pageant at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center, Saturday, June 15, 2024, in North Charleston. Both Platis and Stavlas have Greek heritage and have bonded over their shared roots. Stavlas went on to win the title of Miss North Carolina Teen USA.
Peyton Brown talks backstage during the evening gown competition at the Miss North Carolina and South Carolina USA pageant at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center, Saturday, June 15, 2024, in North Charleston.
Contestants wait backstage during the evening gown competition at the Miss North Carolina and South Carolina USA pageant at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center, Saturday, June 15, 2024, in North Charleston.
Contestants walk onstage during the Miss North Carolina and South Carolina USA pageant at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center, Saturday, June 15, 2024, in North Charleston.
The announcer speaks to the crowd during the Miss North Carolina and South Carolina USA pageant at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center, Saturday, June 15, 2024, in North Charleston.
Ansley Minor cheers on her friends onstage during the Miss North Carolina and South Carolina USA pageant at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center, Saturday, June 15, 2024, in North Charleston. Minor’s sister is a former title-holder and competed one time herself.
Top five contestants participate in the interview phase of the Miss North Carolina and South Carolina USA pageant at the North Charleston Performing Arts Center, Saturday, June 15, 2024, in North Charleston.