Lee chamber to host festival on July 4th

By RANDY BURNS
Item Staff Writer
rburns@theitem.com

BISHOPVILLE - Chamber officials hope the Fourth of July celebration at Butters Field will become a popular tradition.

For the third consecutive year, the Lee County Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring the Family Fun Festival. People last year waited until the fireworks to come out, said Chamber Executive Director Pam Kelley.

"We moved to the back area of the airport last year," she said. "Maybe they didn't see us. This year we're back by the ball field."

This year's festival will have some new wrinkles as well, Kelley said.

"This year we are going to have a carnival for kids," she said. Pleasant Valley Stables will offer pony rides, inflatables, mechanical bullriding for adults and much more.

The carnival and food vendors will open at 11 a.m., Kelley said.

There will be barbecue, hot dogs, sno cones, funnel cakes and much more, Kelley said.

"We are allowing folks to bring their coolers as well," she said.

George Roberts and the Lee County Airport Commission will return with free airplane rides beginning at 3 p.m.

"The airplane rides have proven to be a popular feature of our festival," she said.

Music will begin on the main stage at 6 p.m. Ann Rochelle, known in Bishopville as the popular DJ for WAGS-AM (1380) in the 1970s and 1980s, is in charge of this year's entertainment.

Rochelle, a gifted musician and singer of country and gospel music, will be one of the featured performers. Bishopville's own Dalton Stevens, better known as the Button Man, will also play the banjo and sing.

"We will have a good lineup of local and area singers and vocal groups," Kelley said.

Door prizes will be given away, with the grand prize being a grandfather clock donated by Easy Living Home Center.

Of course, the highlight of any 4th of July Celebration is the fireworks, and Kelley said this year's fireworks will be bigger than ever.

"We're going to have a fantastic fireworks display at dark," she said.

Kelley is expecting a big crowd.

"With the economy like it is, we think a lot of people will choose not to travel but stay close to home this summer," she said. "The chamber is providing families with a fun day where they can go, have a good time and mingle with family and friends.

Family Fun Day is being organized by the chamber's community relations committee, comprising Chairwoman Millie Scott, Troy Santoscoy, Terri Durant and Wanda Scaffe.

"We want families to come out and have a good time and enjoy themselves," Kelley said. "Be sure to bring your lounge chairs. Sit back and enjoy all that Lee County has to offer."



For more information, call the chamber at (803) 484-5145.