Midland Valley – A valley of small towns 

Midland Valley, also known as Horse Creek Valley, is a community made up of small towns to include Vaucluse, Graniteville, Burnettown, Warrenville, Gloverville, Langley, Clearwater, Bath, Madison, Stiefeltown, Jacksonville, and Lynwood.  Horse Creek Valley is a geographic area along Horse Creek, a tributary of the Savannah River. It lies within present-day Aiken County, South Carolina.  Rising near Vaucluse, South Carolina, Horse Creek enters the Savannah two miles downstream of downtown Augusta, Georgia. As you travel between these small towns, you may pass by Langley Pond which has become one of the fastest growing rowing venues in the southeast and the only Olympic size course in South Carolina. 

Langley Pond

It is only a few inches short of being considered a lake making it the world’s largest pond.  It was a man-made resource used to aid area mills, but grew in popularity during the 1996 Olympic games.  Annual competitions are held allowing visitors from around the world to compete nationally and regionally and was home to the US Rowing Team for 5 years, before they moved to California.  Visitors and locals enjoy the lake’s many amenities that include a bathhouse, concession stand, boat ramp, sports park, swim area, and dock.  Whether you are looking for a place to picnic, jetski, waterski, swim, fish, or take a walk with nature, Langley Pond has something to offer everyone.  Best of all, everything is free of charge, even parking.  It is important to note there are no lifeguards; therefore, caution must be taken when entering the water.

Sassafras Festival

On the 1^st Saturday of every October, the citizens of Burnettown welcomes local vendors and visitors to the Sassafras Festival.  Attendance has reached well over 10,000 people and continues to grow as word spreads about the hospitality of Midland Valley.  Proceeds help with improving the Horse Creek / Midland Valley Area.  The Sassafras festival got it’s start in 1991, when a committee organized a street dance to celebrate Burnettown’s 50^th Anniversary.  A section of Highway 421 was blocked off for the event and towns people enjoyed it so much, it has become an annual tradition.  Patrons enjoy food, gospel singing, music, crafts, art, parades, a car and truck show, etc.  Over the years, this one day event has turned into a three day event so more people can enjoy the many attractions it has to offer.  The Sassafras Festival is focused on family and family fun; however, families are asked to leave their pets at home.