Sumter@6 kicks off

Series of free concerts at Brody Pavilion begins

Keith Gedamke / The Item Mike Neese of the Holiday Band sings to the Sumter @ Six crowd.

Sumter @ Six (audio slideshow)

By JOE PERRY
Item Staff Writer
jperry@theitem.com

A few minutes before the Holiday Band kicked off the first Sumter @ Six of the season on Thursday at Brody Pavilion, Sally Turner said her reasons for coming to the annual series of free concerts were simple.

"Socialization," the 39-year-old Wedgefield resident said. "This is what summer's all about — this kicks it off."

Her son Bailey Morris, 10, was ready for a "bug juice and Red Bull," and maybe some dancing, while his brother Branden Morris, 13, said the event was "awesome" and he was ready to enjoy the music.

Keith Gedamke / The Item D'Angelo Potts, 9, enjoys a snow cone while attending Sumter@6 on Thursday at the Brody Pavilion. 8

"They both love the food and get to see their friends," Turner added.

Sumter resident Amy Vondrak, 30, was enjoying her first Sumter @ Six, along with boyfriend Mike Olney, 39, and his daughter Jessica, 12.

"They came here from Florida," Vondrak said, "and I heard about it on the radio and said, 'what the heck?'"

As the band started to kick out the jams, Dave Weasner, 57, was sipping on a beer — "Not bad," he said of his libation — and also enjoying his first visit to Brody Pavilion. Weasner said he had always missed the event in the past because he had to work.

"Pretty good so far," the 30-year resident of Sumter said, tapping his feet. "Free is good."

On the far right side of the pavilion, the back door of the Clark Law Firm was open, with plenty of foot traffic into the kitchen to enjoy a spread of hot dogs, hamburgers, chicken wings and salad. John Clark, 44, said he and his wife, Sharon Baker Clark, were hosting a cookout to coincide with Sumter @ Six for the fourth year.

Keith Gedamke / The Item A pair of dancers shag to the sounds of the Holiday Band during the first Sumter@6 on Thursday.

"It gives our staff an opportunity to relax and enjoy each other's company outside of work," he said. "We have a ball."

Clark said the staff's family and friends bring their families and he also invites the band over after the show to hang out and have a drink.

"We're right on the plaza," he said. "We wouldn't miss it. The staff prepares the food, there's kids running around. We want to be a part of what's going on in the community."

As the Holiday Band segued their way into "Some Kind of Wonderful," Judy Tyl, 72, was snacking on the last bit of some chili cheese fries.

"They're really good," she said smiling, referring to the band and the fries.

Her fellow Sumterite Marjorie Regan, 64, was basking in the sunshine, light breeze and classic beach music and was glad she came.

"She saw it in the paper and called me and said, 'You wanna go?'," she said, smiling.

"I live three blocks away," Tyl said. "It's really nice."



Contact Staff Writer Joe Perry at jperry@theitem.com or (803) 774-1272.