The Round up at The Border is hosted by the Eastern South Carolina Mustang Club based out of Florence, South Carolina. All models of Classic Ford cars are welcomed at this event, and there will be many different classes to choose from for Mustang owners. Door prizes will be given away all day during the show so make sure you register to win, even though Pedro always thinks you are a winner. The show will begin at 8AM and continue until 4PM. You can check your hot-looking cars in from 8AM to Noon.

The registration fee is only $20, but you can get and Early Bird discount if you register before March 13th. To get your registration forms you may contact Gene Turner at gtmustang@bellsouth.net or give him a call at 843-617-1456.

Pedro is also helping you out at this event with a good deal at the South of the Border Motor Inn. If you would like to stay over or come a day early, simply give us a call at 800-845-6011 and mention that you would like the special rate for the Round Up at The Border show. We also have full camping sites available with room for even the largest RV’s. There is also plenty of parking on the South of the Border complex for trailers and car haulers. And of course, no trip would be complete without some trinkets, collectibles or kitsch from one of our many shops. There are 6 different dining options at South of the Border ranging from the high-end steak house The Peddler to Mexican food at the world famous Pedro’s Hot Tamale.

EVENT DETAILS:

Hosted by: Eastern South Carolina Mustang Club
Location: “Pedro’s South of the Border” on I-95 at the North Carolina South Carolina border.
Event time: 8am - 4pm; check-in 8am- noon.
Registration Fee: $20 ($15 before March 13).
Door prizes, classes for all models of Mustangs and Fords, special motel rate with South of the Border.
Contact: Gene Turner at gtmustang@bellsouth.net, call 843.617.1456.

Click here to view large flier »

We encourage everyone to drive safely on your trip to Dillon, SC and we will see you on March 20th for the 8th annual Round Up at the Border here on the grounds of America’s Favorite Roadside Attraction, South of the Border.

]]> http://www.thesouthoftheborder.com/2010/02/24/round-up-at-south-of-the-border-mustang-car-show/feed/ http://www.thesouthoftheborder.com/2010/02/10/south-of-the-border-a-schafer-family-tradition/ http://www.thesouthoftheborder.com/2010/02/10/south-of-the-border-a-schafer-family-tradition/#comments Wed, 10 Feb 2010 08:00:35 +0000 admin http://www.thesouthoftheborder.com/?p=350
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Scanned from the Dillon Herald Centennial Edition
02/04/2010 www.the dillonherald.com

South of the Border is in its 60th year of business in Hamer, South Carolina, but its roots in Dillon County extend much deeper. The Schafer family has been an integral part of the community since the 1870’s, not only as residents but as business owners and employers. The Dillon Herald recently published their Centennial Edition and included an article about the Schafer family history, the origins of South of the Border and Schafer Distributing.

The Schafer Company originally began as a dry goods store, and then evolved into a distributorship for Miller Beer throughout most of the major cities in South Carolina. South of the Border began as a beer depot to sell alcohol to “dry” Robeson County in North Carolina, and has evolved into a 300 acre tourist attraction. Each year millions of hungry, curious and weary travelers take advantage of the shops, restaurants, hotel and amusements. Tens of millions of dollars flow into the local economy from taxes, jobs, charitable donations and related spending.

Enjoy this article, courtesy of the Dillon Herald, and learn more about America’s Favorite Roadside Attraction~ South of the Border.

Recently South of the Border has undergone a multi-million dollar renovation project.  The Sombrero Tower’s once vibrant southwest color scheme had become faded after years of rain, snow and blistering summertime South Carolina sun. Some of the neon tubes had lost their luster or had burned out. Pedro has changed all that!! Now its warm orange, yellow and green hues glisten and sparkle in the sunlight. At night, the new neon lights blaze and twinkle in the Dillon night sky like a sombrero-shaped alien spacecraft is about to land on the grounds of South of the Border.

During the daytime, The Sombrero Tower’s Observation Deck lets you see the lush green North and South Carolina countryside for long stretches in all directions. As you glide to the top in the glass elevator, you begin to see the grounds of South of the Border from an entirely new angle. The ride is a mere 10 pesos, but Pedro will make it $1 for all his friends. Once you’re high atop the tower you can walk around of the brim of the sombrero for an unobstructed 360 degree view of The Border and beyond.

Visitors have taken some amazing photos from high atop The Sombrero Observation Deck. Here, Derek Lee Anderson checks out the lush fields around South of the Border. On the site Panoramio, Starrider99 took this amazing shot from the south side of The Sombrero. You can see the Pedroland Amusement Park on the left side of the photo, and I-95 South on the right side.  This video shows a family having a fun day at The Border, and taking a ride to the top.  Jacob K. has this shimmering nighttime photo of the neon lights in his Flickr stream, which reminds Pedro of something. You can now follow Pedro on your choice of social media sites. Our official Facebook site can be found here, and Sherry Lynch of the famous radio DJ duo Bob and Sheri created a fantastic fan page. You can follow Pedro on Twitter under the name @SOTBPedro.

So next time you come to South of the Border, make the time to enjoy a leisurely trip high above the grounds and enjoy an amazing view of the majestic Carolina countryside.

South of the Border has the answer when the kids start yelling that they’re hungry as you cruise down Interstate 95 at the North Carolina and South Carolina border. We make feeding a hungry family on the move super-easy, very affordable and incredibly yummy. Everyone can find a tasty treat at one of the SIX restaurants on the grounds of America’s favorite roadside attraction. You can grab a quick bite at Pedro’s Diner, or enjoy an elegant steak dinner from The Peddler Steakhouse. And of course, if you live in the area, we make a great date night destination for a little fun after you eat.

The Sombrero Room restaurant is the perfect place for the entire family to take a break from the journey and enjoy a wholesome sit-down meal together. The ceiling is covered in hundreds of sombreros and a new one goes up every time some donates $20 to The Shiner’s Children’s Hospital. This was one of SOTB founder Mr. Schafer’s favorite charities and we proudly honor his memory by continuing his charity work for this worthy cause. The restaurant is located on the north side of the complex where the original South of the Border Drive-in stood in the 60’s, and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner every day.

There are hearty dishes for the big appetites like prime steak and chicken cooked over our charcoal fire grill. For the diet conscious, our salad bar is filled with fresh fruits, veggies and our homemade tuna and chicken salads. The Kid’s Menu has special items like grilled cheese and applesauce for the picky young ones. Finding something for every finicky eater is easy at the Sombrero Room because we have a real variety to offer. We have down-home Southern favorites like crispy fried chicken, tender BBQ ribs and smoky BBQ chicken. Pedro’s South of the Border Mexican specialties include crunchy tacos, saucy enchiladas, cheesy quesadillas and a breakfast burrito. For lunch we have an assortment of sandwiches like our char-grilled huge ½ pound steak-burger, Carolina pulled-pork sandwiches and an All-American club. We pile the NY-style corned beef high on rye bread with Swiss cheese and sauerkraut to make our signature Reuben sandwich, so Pedro’s Yankee friends will feel right at home.

The coffee is always hot and fresh to give you that little shot of energy to get back on the highway to your ultimate destination after your visit to South of the Border. The Sombrero Room fixes our big fluffy 3-egg omelets filled with ham and cheese will boost your protein levels and keep you going strong the rest of the day. And our grill serves up golden pancakes, Belgian waffles and French toast that can be topped off with fruit, syrup or whipped cream for those of us who like a little sugar rush in the morning. We don’t forget about that sweet tooth at dinner either. Our strawberry cheesecake is simply divine and the Hot Fudge Cake with chocolate fudge and ice cream is sinfully rich and delightful.

If you need a light snack or sandwich as you make you way around South of the Border exploring the sights and shopping, stop off at The Hot Dog Stand or The Hot Tamale. They serve up a wide selection of subs, burgers, pizza and Pedro’s infamous tamales. For the late night traveler, Pedro’s Diner is open 24 hours a day serving up diner classics, breakfast and sandwiches. If the kids scream for ice cream, Pedro’s Ice Cream Fiesta has flavors galore and low-fat yogurt for those worried about the old waistline battle. Blenheim Ginger Ale is available at most of our stores and restaurants, so don’t miss out on South Carolina’s only native soft drink and it’s addictive fiery ginger flavor.

So stop on in to South of the Border and visit Pedro as you pass by, he will make sure you get a hot, delicious meal and get you back on the road in no time.

This year South of the Border, America’s favorite roadside attraction located near Dillon South Carolina along Interstate 95 at the North Carolina and South Carolina border, marks its 60th year of operation and our plans are to get bigger and better than ever before. Pedro has seen a lot of changes in the world and a lot of changes here at South of the Border over the years, and Pedro has many new projects and renovations in the works.

South of the Border began as a 600 square foot stand selling beer to thirsty patrons from dry counties north of the border in North Carolina and has developed into a 300 acre complex with such diverse features as a motel and campground, six restaurants, a theme park, mini-golf, fireworks store, gas stations and more than a dozen gift shops with everything from Mexican jumping beans to antiques. In the beginning Mr. Alan Schafer worked the stand by himself and now SOTB is run by the third generation of the Schafer family and hundreds of employees, making it the biggest employer in Dillon County, S.C.

The people used to come to in a few at a time in American made Chevys and Fords traveling along Highway 301. Now Pedro greets millions of cars, made all over the world, traveling from New York to Florida on Interstate 95, and now some of those cars even run off of electricity. And now, people can travel on jet planes from one side of the U.S. in only a few hours instead of having to drive for days. Speaking of traveling, Pedro has even seen people take voyages in rocket ships from the Earth to the Moon and live in space stations circling high above our planet.

Communicating has changed immensely in the last 60 years. Back in 1950, telephones weighed a few pounds and their use was limited by how long the cord that was attached to it would reach. The sound traveled over wires stretched from coast to coast, and operators transferred calls by switching plugs to make the connection. Now the phones weigh only a few ounces and are wireless so that you can carry them with you on your trip to give Pedro a call if you need to reserve a room at the South of the Border Motor Inn. The cell phone signals now bounce off satellites orbiting the earth and can reach nearly any point on the planet. The satellites themselves are another creation that has happened in the last 60 years, with Russian putting the Sputnik 1 in orbit in 1957. Floating high above the earth and circling the globe, they now carry every type of communication one can image. Television, phone calls, global positioning signals (GPS), surveillance cameras and outer space research are all carried by satellites today. GPS has become a vital part of modern communication and travel. The satellites send signals to small devices, cars, and cell phones that are equipped to guide people to their destination with on-board maps that are displayed on the screen or by a voice that speaks to you.

[View with PicLens]

 

The computer might be the biggest change in world since South of the Border opened all those many years ago, followed closely by the invention of the internet. In the 1960’s computers were so large that each one would take up space equivalent to the average living room just to do the simplest of calculations. Now smart cell phones that fit in the palm of your hand are able to pack the power of dozens of those computers, and they can connect to the internet so you can surf the web while away from home. The internet has become ingrained in everyday life, with people doing their shopping, paying bills, learning, playing games, watching movies and using social media sites to connect with their friends who might live far away.

Other notable inventions, events and milestones since South of the Border opened are:

• Microwave oven- Pedro thinks microwave burritos should be on here too!
• The Snuggie- Pedro has been wearing one for 60 years, we call it a serape in Mexico
• The Polaroid camera and digital camera- Pedro looks very handsome right?
• E-mail- Lets Pedro stay in touch with his many friends and visitors all over the world.
• Remote control- If Pedro can ever find his, have you seen it?
• Automatic Teller Machines- Made getting more money to spend with Pedro VERY easy
• Salsa takes over as #1 condiment- Pedro thinks plain old ketchup never stood a chance!

We know there are so many more events, inventions and important happenings in the last 60 years and we invite you to share your memories of anything that was important to you and your family, or simply tell us your favorite memory of South of the Border and the changes you have seen to our complex here in Dillon, SC.

]]> http://www.thesouthoftheborder.com/2010/01/01/south-of-the-border%e2%80%99s-60-year-anniversary/feed/ http://www.thesouthoftheborder.com/2009/12/22/holiday-time-at-south-of-the-border/ http://www.thesouthoftheborder.com/2009/12/22/holiday-time-at-south-of-the-border/#comments Tue, 22 Dec 2009 07:30:31 +0000 admin http://www.thesouthoftheborder.com/?p=302

It’s that time of year again, where Pedro and all his Amigos at America’s #1 roadside tourist attraction, South of the Border in Dillon, SC, get ready for the holiday season. As you and the family rush around trying to get that perfect present for the special ones in your lives, don’t forget that South of the Border is a gift shopping mecca. That’s right, South of the Border for holiday shopping! We can make your holiday shopping easy, exciting and extraordinary. Our gifts can range from silly to superior and cost 50 cents to $5,000.

The Christmas and holiday season is most represented and displayed at our Antique Shop. During the holiday season we go all out to create a festive winter season atmosphere with Christmas decorations adorning the walls, halls, furniture and even Pedro himself. We stock the shelves with seasonal wreaths, Santa Claus dolls, Christmas trees, pretty lights, amusing toys and all manner decorations for Christmas trees and the home. The Antique shop is also filled to the brim with antique furniture, old timey signs, country curios, beer company memorabilia, cute teddy bears, cuddly dolls, collectible figurines, fine china, decorative paintings, home accessories, woven rugs and even more.

The Silver Slipper also plays host to a flea market every weekend, where a variety of vendors set up their own booths filled with anything and everything under the sun. If you are just passing through South of the Border on your journey and find something you like, we can arrange to have the item shipped to your doorstep whenever and wherever you request. The Antique Shop is now located in the enormous Silver Slipper building located on the north side of complex next to the Exxon gas station and El Drug Store near the Interstate 95 and Highway 501 intersection.

All kids love a new toy and you can make that sleigh ride to Grandma’s house go by a lot faster with some of our travel games and toys meant to be played with in the car. No more answering the “Are we there yet?” questions is definitely priceless. You can find them scattered throughout the various shops like El Drug Store and the Mexico Shop. The Mexico Shop, our biggest store, also has row upon row of trinkets, treasures and South of the Border branded memorabilia for your crazy friends with a great sense of humor or the ones who love to collect funky baubles. Our Hats Around the World store has a wide variety of ball caps, cowboy hats, visors, sombreros and other chapeaus with an international flair to keep your head warm on the cold winter nights. The international theme continues in the Africa Shop, where uncommon and dramatic artifacts from all over the world’s largest continent are on display.

So be sure to explore our selection of gift shops whether you’re just stopping by for a brief visit to fill up the automobile and grab a bite to eat, or you’re coming to South of the Border to spend a couple days sight-seeing and shopping.

Countless tales and photos of happy honeymooner’s from near and far making the trek to South of the Border can be found online in blogs and photo journals. The infamous $99 Honeymoon Special  included the wedding ceremony,  a bottle of fine champagne, free breakfast from Pedro’s Diner and a water-bed equipped suite.

This package was so popular that over a dozen marriages would take place right here on the South of the Border grounds each weekend over the course of a summer.

Currently these rooms have been remodeled and upgraded as part of our multi-million dollar renovation project here in Pedroland. Pedro’s new suites have plush beds with exquisite linens, a posh décor, in-room Jacuzzi’s, and big screen televisions. We know you will find the modern conveniences and amenities of our new suites more in line with the comfort that today’s discerning travelers demand.

In addition, all of our standard rooms are being renovated and upgraded as well, while maintaining a very economical price for the budget conscious family of vacationers. If you are passing through with your travel trailer or recreational vehicle, our 100 space campground is the ideal place to take a break from the long journey. We have 30 and 50 amp electrical hook-ups, hot showers, laundry facilities, grills and a play area for the children.

So even though you might miss the Honeymoon Suites with the wild and crazy 70’s vibe, you still have 300 acres of wacky fun, exciting games, delicious restaurants, fairground rides, gift shops filled with gadgets you never knew you needed, and lots more to explore with the entire family. To make your reservations, call Pedro toll-free at 1-800-845-6011 and we will save room for you and the family here at South of the Border in Dillon, SC.

Take a peek at some of our upgrades:

[View with PicLens]

 

© St. Petersburg Times,
published July 21, 2001
view article»

Anyone traveling along Interstate 95 has seen them: the groan-inducing, retina-scorching green and orange billboards.

Too Tired to Tango? (Rest Weeth Pedro!)

Pedro sez: Chili today, hot tamale.

Keep America Green! Bring Money!

You Never Sausage a Place! You’re Always a Wiener at Pedro’s!

Keep yelling kids! (They’ll stop.)

For more than five decades, South of the Border has attracted restless travelers, reportedly as many as 8-million a year. The $40-million Mexican-themed complex includes motel rooms, campsites, gift shops, restaurants, an amusement park and a large observation tower shaped like a sombrero. The park, with about 750 workers, remains one of the largest employers in an economically depressed county.

Its mascot is the wise-cracking Pedro character made famous by the billboards and created by Alan Schafer.

Born into a Jewish family in Baltimore just as World War I was starting, Mr. Schafer lived almost all of his life in South Carolina’s rural Dillon County. He was a journalism major at the University of South Carolina, who left during his senior year in 1933 to take over a cafe and a beer distributing company for his ailing father.

After World War II, Mr. Schafer noticed hordes of families from the Northeast zooming down U.S. 301 to South Carolina and Florida beaches. He decided to offer them a place to stop for a meal and souvenirs. He started in 1949, with an 18- by 36-foot, shocking-pink beer stand just south of the state border. The nearby North Carolina counties were dry, meaning it was illegal to sell alcohol there. The next year, he added a 10-seat grill — the South of the Border Drive-In — at the request of then-Gov. Strom Thurmond, who wanted to quiet complaints from anti-drink forces in the neighboring state.

Next came the curios. One night in the early 1950s, a traveling salesman wandered in. He had run out of cash on the way home to New York City from a Miami trade show. Mr. Schafer bought the man’s stock, a collection of plush elephants and bears, for $100. He distributed the stuffed toys around his store. A week later, he had sold them all for $500.

Over the years, the site grew to encompass 350 acres. Pedro was born, according to the official history of the business, after Mr. Schafer traveled to Mexico “to establish import connections” and returned with two young Mexican men who went to work as bellboys. Everyone called them Pedro, the story goes, and even today, young male employees are referred to as Pedros. “He was the greatest marketing mind in the 20th century in South Carolina,” said Kevin Geddings, a marketing consultant for Mr. Schafer. “This is a gentleman that never finished college and he built one of the biggest tourist attractions on the East Coast from scratch.”

Mr. Schafer, a resident of Little Rock outside of Dillon, gained wealth and clout as the attraction grew. Eventually, he began to exercise his political muscle. When it came time to build the interstate, Mr. Schafer “had the political influence to get I-95,” said University of South Carolina historian Walter Edgar. “It makes a little jag there to go through South of the Border.” Mr. Schafer’s political imprint is clearest in the Democratic Party. He gave freely to candidates and the party.

He also was one of the biggest spenders in campaigns to protect video gambling, pumping tens of thousands of dollars into advertisements. South of the Border held the state’s largest video gambling operation until the state outlawed the games. Former Gov. David Beasley’s campaign sued Mr. Schafer and fellow video gambling operator Fred Collins to try to stop the ads, claiming gambling interests illegally coordinated their efforts. Circuit Judge Tom Ervin ruled in favor of the businessmen.

In the ’90s, Mr. Schafer rescued another South Carolina gem. He bought Blenheim Ginger Ale, a soft drink once used for colds and nasal aliments because of its spicy kick. Now, the beverage is marketed across the nation. “It was the only soft drink invented in South Carolina,” Geddings said. “You know Georgia had Coke and North Carolina had Pepsi, he didn’t want to see the brand lost forever.”

In addition to tourism, Mr. Schafer would later go on to buy a car dealership and other companies, but he always shared his good fortune. “He played a big part in helping a lot of different people,” said S.C. Rep. Jackie Hayes, who got his first job at age 12 pumping gas at South of the Border. “He gave a tremendous amount of money to schools and churches throughout Dillon County and throughout the state.”

In the waning days of segregation, South of the Border was one of the first rest stops between Washington, D.C., and Miami to welcome African-Americans.

“South of the Border is known internationally,” Edgar, the historian, said. “People in Europe know about South of the Border.”

Alan Schafer died on July 19 from leukemia at age 87.

We’re putting in state-of-the-art pumps at both the Exxon and Shell stations.

The Antique Shop has moved to the Silver Slipper and the old building has been torn down to make way for improvements at Porky’s Truck Stop.

The Silver Slipper Flea Market (indoors) offers rental space to vendors on Friday, Saturday and Sunday each week (hours are 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.)  We can all thumb our noses at inclement weather with this Flea Market!

Will keep you updated on happenings here!

We were lucky to stumble upon some amazing photography and even more excited that we are allowed to showcase the creative talents & photography of Bill Warren from Chapel Hill, NC on this website. The gallery he created is called Vote for Pedro and we feel this series does a brilliant job of capturing the imagination, lights, color and fun of South Of The Border.

You can check out more of Bill’s work at Billinchapelhill.com

This is a little background info on Bill and a few words about his methods and inspiration. We hope to bring you more of his great photography in the future:

I am a creative photographer based in Chapel Hill, NC. I started with film in the 70’s and like most shooters switched to digital in recent years. I have become a photography junkie, one who is always looking for the next image fix–even if I don’t have the camera with me. The blessing of photography is that it continues to heighten my visual sense and awareness of light, tone and shape.

I strive to make images that stand out and this drives me to look for subjects that are unique or overlooked. First there must be promising light—be it day or night, natural or artificial. Next, what often defines a good subject is not just the features that the subject presents but what occupies the background. Unless they can be utilized in the visualization, busy details in the background tend to subtract from the subject of the composition. When the light and subject elements show promise, it is my job to visualize the composition and then make the right camera and lens choices that will best record the visualization. My shooting technique is to follow the formal rules of composition, focus, exposure and lighting and then look for ways to break those rules to create an image that really stands out.

South of the Border is a destination that meets all my photographic requirements and desires. It surprises me that I have not been able to find many examples of creative photography that have been shot there. The SOB layout leaves lots of spacing between the buildings and statues to provide multiple and un-crowded framing options of many, many subjects. Also, the flat open site provides for a variety of opportunities to capture big sky elements. Every subject at SOB is unique and the painted colors are intense. Whether your opinion is that SOB is kitsch or Americana art, it is certainly a worthy photographic gold mine that more photographers should take advantage of. I just wish it was not quite so long of a drive for me to get there.

View Photo Gallery »