Local events galore for Independence Day

Lee chamber to host festival on July 4th Clarendon offers 2 Fourth of July parades

By JOE PERRY
Item Staff Writer
jperry@theitem.com

Happy Independence Day, Sumter.

If you're one of the nearly 30,000 people expected to enjoy Jammin' July 4th at Dillon Park, Sumter Police Department Sgt. Donald Rach's advice is to not get in a hurry.

The Wise Drive entrance to the park will be open only to vendors, VIPs and volunteers, and everybody else will have to enter from North Pike West.

"Just be patient," Rach said. "Everybody's getting there at the same time and Pike gets backed up."

Rides and food will be available and coolers and pets are not permitted. The fireworks finale -- set for about 9:30 p.m. -- is touted as the largest display in the Midlands. The events leading up to the fireworks demonstration, including rides and music, will get under way at 5 p.m. There is a small charge to enjoy the rides as well as the many foods offered.

The best bet, Rach said, is for folks to use the free shuttles that will leave from Sumter Mall near the Belk entrance at a steady clip, about every 20 minutes or so. RTA is sponsoring two buses that will run all night -- let them do the driving.

	Jammin' July 4th will be held from 5 to 11 p.m. at Dillon Park and is sponsored by Shaw Air Force Base's 20th Fighter Wing. Admission is free. Music will be provided by the U.S. Air Force Heritage Band of America, the Blue Aces. Special needs parking will be available on Clara Kellogg Drive next to the restrooms, provided that handicapped placards are visibly displayed.

Crossing guards and police officers will direct attendees into the main parking areas across from the National Guard Armory, and more volunteers will be on hand to help keep traffic flowing.

"Just be patient and we'll move traffic as quickly as we can," he said, noting that it took officers about 40 minutes last year to clear out the park after it was over.

People will be able to exit via Wise Drive, but it will be right turn only.

In Clarendon County, the Eagle Point and New Zion parades will both kick off at 10 a.m. The Eagle Point parade will have on display bicycles, wagons, cars and boats for the mile long route through the lakeside neighborhood.

The New Zion parade should see bicycles, cars, pickup trucks, floats, four-wheelers, tractors, trailers, motorcycles and maybe even horses, and will also wind through a mile long route. Fireworks will start about 9:30 p.m. behind the New Zion mini mart on Salem Road.

Folks in Lee County can head over to Butters Field for the Family Fun Festival with the carnival and food vendors starting things off at 11 a.m. Pleasant Valley Stables will offer pony rides, inflatables and mechanical bull riding for adults. Free airplane rides take off at 3 p.m. and music will start at 6 p.m. Door prizes will be given away and coolers will be allowed. Fireworks will start as darkness permits.

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