The 81st annual Carolina Cup attracted its usual crowd of spectators and law enforcement as well as a surprise wedding this year.
More than 50,000 people, according to The State, showed up to the Springdale Racecourse in Camden on Saturday for the kickoff of the national steeplechase horse racing season. This crowd is traditionally made up of about half students, and not included are the hundreds of law enforcement officers that were present in order to enforce alcohol laws. According to Camden Police Chief Joe Floyd, an average of 180 to 200 people are criminally charged each year at the Cup. Most USC students spent the Cup in the area called College Park where students put up tents and have music and dancing.
Many attend the event for horse racing while some may not even see a horse the whole time, but one couple came this year to celebrate a surprise wedding. Jeff and Emily Morgan got engaged 10 days ago and surprised their friends and family by making the Carolina Cup their wedding venue. They kept it a surprise by hiding the cake, flower girl and ring bearers, and they had the ceremony right before the first race at 1:30 pm.