September 24-27, 2026
100 Robert Castles Ln
Prosperity, SC
For the umteenth year in a row, sweeps from SC, NC, and around the southeast and beyond, will ‘gather’ on Lake Murray S.C to learn, share, and relax. ‘The Gathering’ has become an annual S.C. Chimney Sweep Guild event historically hosted by late SCCSG member, Herb Fulmer (Clean Sweep Chimney Sweep).
Designed to follow in the wake of the famous ‘Connemara’ get-togethers in North Augusta, SC hosted by the late "Lucky Dale" Meisinger, these sweep gatherings were started in the mid 1980’s and went into this century even after his death. Sweeps would come from all over to trade sooty war stories, and to learn about new and advanced techniques in chimney maintenance and repair technology.
Art Rollins of Clean Sweep Chimney Sweep of Prosperity is proudly carrying on the tradition of hosting this event in Herb Fulmer’s honor. He is joined in hosting by Herb's family and Brad Smith, a long time Clean Sweep employee, who now owns Kickin' Ash Chimney Pros also based in Prosperity, SC.
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Please NOTE:
Schedule of Events below
has been updated with information
about 2026 happenings.
More info will be posted as it is available.
WE WANT TO THANK
OUR EVENT COORDINATORS AND SPONSORS
FOR THEIR GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS
OF TIME, ENERGY, AND FINANCIAL SUPPORT
OF THIS AMAZING OPPORTUNITY TO LEARN!
TO LEARN ABOUT OUR INDUSTRY
TO LEARN ABOUT OUR INDUSTRY FRIENDS
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PLEASE go to Facebook page
The Gathering - a Tradition Like No Other
https://www.facebook.com/groups/500418496637041
Please EMAIL either of the following email addresses to let us know you will be coming, when you will be arriving and how many will be in your party.
blume357@bellsouth.net
renee@sweepstuff.com
THE GATHERING 2026
(This schedule is subject to change in regards to content and timing
at any point before or during the event.)
FEATURED EDUCATIONAL EVENTS (CEU's Available):
Chimney Fan Installation
Let's talk drafting & make-up air
Virtual Reality Hands-on
Poured Crown
.....and more
Once again our food throughout the event will be designed, coordinated, and served up by our over-qualified kitchen team of outdoor chefs and event masters.
Schedule of Events
THURSDAY the 24th
SET-UP
Thursday is primarily a set-up day followed by kicking off activities "breaking bread" together.
Check with our Volunteer desk under the Big Top tent (our version of the 3-ring circus) if you'd like to help with set-up. There's always plenty to do.
Then it's time to sit back and drink some ice-cold libation of your choice fill your belly and catch up with fellow sweeps on what’s been going on. (Sooty War Stories)
Thursday Night Opening Event: SAVOR THE SLICE SOCIAL
Build your own pizza (from dough to done) baked to perfection in the Herb Fulmer Memorial Wood-Fired Oven. Pizza-building and wood fired oven operation instructors available.
FRIDAY the 25th
7:30-9:00 am BREAKFAST - SIX-SHOT SIDEBOARD
Light self serve breakfast before heading to the woods
MORNING Events
Ø 7:30 – 8:00 Safety Meeting for Woodland Challenge
Safety Instructors: Bob “Gunny” Priesing, “Just” Blume & Art Rollins
NOTE: (If you do not attend this meeting, sign a release form and get your GREEN wristband, you will not be allowed to participate in the Woodland Challenge)
Ø 8:00 – 12:00 Woodland Challenge – Led by our trusty “Woodsmen” guides
Bob Priesing, Blume, Tom Doty
This will last 'til ‘bout lunchtime. Lunch to follow back at the Island.
- Participants are expected to help clean up the Challenge site; check with Nick Henderson or Blume to find out what needs to be done.
- Bring your own toys to play with or play with something new from toys provided by our Hosts.
- Personal Safety Gear is required. (There will be some available, but we suggest you bring your own)
Ø 8:00 – 12:00 Supporting Skills for the Chimney Repairer/Fireplace Installer --
Team Leaders: Drew Stein and David Kline and Marshall Reynolds
Island repairs (Continuation from last year) ongoing all weekend long - Firepit, Presidential Suite, general upkeep, etc.
12:00 - 12:15 VENDOR SPOTLIGHT: Owens Chimney Covers
12:15 LUNCH -- DINNER AT GRANDMA'S
Assorted home cooked mains and sides like Granny always did on Sunday afternoon.
AFTERNOON Events
Ø 1:00-3:00 LINDEMANN presents:
Part 1: Talks Draft & Make-up Air 2.0
(CEU's: Codes & Standards .25; Communication & Liability .25; Business .5)
Part 2: KWDraft -- Chimney Fan Installation
Ø 3:15-5:00 FORGE Virtual Reality Demo (Hands-on) - NCSG
Ø1:00-5:00 Supporting Skills for the Chimney Repairer/Fireplace Installer --
Team Leaders: Drew Stein and David Kline and Marshall Reynolds
Island repairs (Continuation from last year) ongoing all weekend long - Firepit, Presidential Suite, general upkeep, etc.
6:15 -6:30 VENDOR SPOTLIGHT: New England Chimney Supply
6:30 pm DINNER - BRAD n ART's BACKYARD SMOKEOUT
Briskit, ribs and all the sides you love
EVENING Event
8:30 pm SCCSG BENEFIT AUCTION
This Auction populated with items generously donated by Sweeps and Suppliers is the primary way that SCCSG funds the networking and training opportunities it provides –not to mention the good eats. Participating by donating and by purchasing is a fun way to support the education, the great fun, the amazing food and the extraordinary fellowship experienced at SCCSG events.
11:00 pm IS QUIET TIME EVERY NIGHT
You don’t have to be asleep, but don’t let each other "conversate" too loudly. Some folks need assistance with this task. Be their friend.
SATURDAY the 26th
7:30-9:00 am BREAKFAST - BIG COUNTRY BREAKFAST
Eggs, grits, bacon, sausage, biscuits, gravy.... all the trimmings
9:00-9:15 am VENDOR SPOTLIGHT: Copperfield
MORNING Events
Ø 9:15-10:30 am Beyond the Visual: Building a process for professional chimney inspections – Inspection Fire (CEU's: Technical 1.3)
Ø 10:35-11:55 am Chimney Defender: Demonstration - Q & A -- Tom Meredith
Ø9:00-11:45 Supporting Skills for the Chimney Repairer/Fireplace Installer --
Team Leaders: Drew Stein and David Kline and Marshall Reynolds
Island repairs (Continuation from last year) ongoing all weekend long - Firepit, Presidential Suite, general upkeep, etc.
12:00-12:15 VENDOR SPOTLIGHT: CUI
12:15 PM LUNCH - GOBBLE 'TIL YA WOBBLE
Why, poultry of course! Wings, Wings and lots of side things
AFTERNOON Events
Ø 1:30- 4:00 SAVERSYSTEMS presents:
7 Properties of a Properly Poured Crown - (CEUs: Technical 1.5)
Ø1:30- 3:30 Supporting Skills for the Chimney Repairer/Fireplace Installer --
Team Leaders: Drew Stein and David Kline and Marshall Reynolds
Island repairs (Continuation from last year) ongoing all weekend long - Firepit, Presidential Suite, general upkeep, etc.
4:00 - 5:30 pm SCCSG Membership meeting
6:30 pm DINNER - PESCA PARTY: Fish Fry & Frogmore
Fried fish the Fulmer way that will melt in your mouth, fries, tater tots, hushpuppies and the best low country boil you've ever wrapped your tongue around.
EVENING Event
Dark-Thirty (approx. 8:30 pm)MEMORIAL FIREWORKS! ON THE LAKE!
SUNDAY the 27th
Wake up when you feel like it. Come on over to the kitchen and drink some good coffee with us and have some…
8:00-10:00 am BREAKFAST - COUNTRY BRUNCH
….and then after breakfast: Help us break down and pack up to leave the island -- if you have time. Be sure to let our Volunteer Czar, Nick, know if you can stay to help.
The most important thing about Sunday is to say goodbyes because it will be another whole year before we can do this again in 2027.
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We would like to thank the following companies
who are participating in and supporting
The Gathering 2026!
2026 SPONSORS
PLATINUM SPONSORS
LINDEMANN CHIMNEY SUPPLY
SAVERSYSTEMS
GOLD SPONSORS
New England Chimney Supply
Owens Chimney Covers
SILVER SPONSORS
COPPERFIELD
CUI
BRONZE SPONSORS
ICP
Inspection Fire
Jeramias
KWDraft/RMM Manifold
National Chimney Supply
Valor
PONTOON BOAT RIDE SPONSOR
CCS-Elite Fab
MEMORIAL FIREWORKS NUCLEAR SPONSOR
South Carolina Chimney Sweep Guild
MEMORIAL FIREWORKS ATOMIC SPONSORS
BAC Fireside Group
DRINKS SPONSOR
CVC Success Group
We would like to thank our 2026 Class Sponsors!
Chimspector
Lindemann Chimney Supply
SaverSystems
We would like to thank our 2026 Auction Contributors!
Approved Industries
Blume, The Merry Sweep
CCS-ELITE FAB
ChimScan
Copperfield/Estoban
CSIA
CUI
Gideon Honeycutt
Lindemann Chimney Supply
National Chimney Supply
New England Chimney Supply
Owens Chimney Covers
Sandhill Wholesale
Saversystems
If you would like to be a sponsor or donate to our Auction,
please reach out to Brad Smith,
our Sponsorship Coordinator.
Call/Text: 803-944-4770
Email: kickinashchimneypros@gmail.com
These ‘Gatherings’ have always been an event any sweep wanting to expand their professional and personal awareness should attend. Not only do the planned seminars offer a sweep new and insightful venues but much can be learned by just hanging out with one’s peers. The late and still great sweep Pete Luter is quoted as saying it all, “ It don’t get any better than this.”
ACCOMMODATIONS
NEW for 2026:
"Recreational vehicles" (tow behind trailers and drivable RV's) allowed on the island is limited to our staff only. Any hook-up spaces available for RV will be used by staff. Otherwise, only tent camping is available on the island. "Boondocking" with limitations will be allowed.
A rather lengthy list of alternative accommodation possibilities nearby (from campsites to hotels and much in between) can be found here:
https://www.southcarolinachimneysweepguild.citymax.com/Accommodations.html
Email renee@sweepstuff.com with questions. We will do our best to find answers for ya.
REGISTRATION
There is no cover charge/registration fee for this event, however, donations to help pay for the food expense can be made to the SCCSG and/or feel free to purchase liberally at our Annual Benefit Auction mentioned earlier.
REGISTRATION OPTION 1: Have everyone who is coming go to this link and sign up. It guides you right through the registration process and puts the info in place for us to just check you off when you arrive.
(if the link doesn't work, please cut and paste it to your browser search bar)
REGISTRATION OPTION 2:
email us at either of the following email addresses:
Renee (renee@sweepstuff.com) or Blume (blume357@bellsouth.net)
and send us a list of who's coming and let us know when you plan to arrive and what days you will be around at mealtime, so that we can get a bead on the head count for meals.
REGISTRATION OPTION 3:
go to the Facebook page and let us know you are coming
The Gathering - A Tradition Like No Other
https://www.facebook.com/groups/500418496637041
and let us know if you are planning to come, who all's comin', when you plan to arrive, and how many will be in your party so that we can get a bead on the head count for meals.
DIRECTIONS
GPS to 100 Robert Castles Lane, Prosperity, SC
Directions coming from South of Columbia, SC
- Merge onto I-26 W toward Spartanburg.
- Take the SC-773 exit, EXIT 82, toward Pomaria/Prosperity.
- Turn left onto SC Highway 773/SC-773.
- Turn right onto US Highway 76/US-76 W. Continue to follow US-76 W.
- Turn left onto Elm St.
- Turn right to stay on Elm St.
- Take the 2nd left onto Pearl St.
- Turn left to stay on McNeary St.
- Turn slight left onto Ira Kinard Rd.
- Ira Kinard Rd becomes Bonner Baxter Pl.
- Turn right onto Robert Castles Ln. Then, go all the way to end of Robert Castles Ln. There may or may not be signs along the way.
Directions coming from Prosperity
- Turn at the light onto SC 391 (across from gas station and hardware store)
- Go straight thru 4-Way Stop
- Bear left onto Ira Kinard Rd.
- Ira Kinard Rd becomes Bonner Baxter Pl.
- Turn right onto Robert Castles Ln. Then, go all the way to end of Robert Castles Ln. There may or may not be signs along the way.
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