Show draws Bishopville residents, locals for fireworks

Randy Burns / The Item Lakin Atkinson, 3, has fun at the children's carnival during the event.

By RANDY BURNS
Item Staff Writer
rburns@theitem.com

BISHOPVILLE - Several hundred people filled Butters Field on Saturday night for the Third Annual 4th of July Family Fun Celebration.

The crowd was late arriving with most obviously coming for the fireworks, which began at dark.

Few took advantage of the children's carnival that began at 11 a.m., said Millie Scott, a member of the sponsoring Lee County Chamber of Commerce. And there were few in the bleachers when the musical entertainment began at 6 p.m.

"They didn't really start coming in until 7:30 p.m.," Scott said. "They are coming for the fireworks."

Families did come in a bit early for the children's carnival.

Michael Atkinson escorted his 3-year-old daughter Lakin to the several inflatable rides.

"She's having fun," Atkinson said. "And we're all looking forward to the fireworks."

Richard Bean took his 2-year-old granddaughter Kierstyn Herba on a pony ride, sponsored by Pleasant Valley Stables.

Bean said he wasn't sure if Kierstyn could take the fireworks, but he wanted her to have a good time at the children's carnival. "She loved the pony ride," he said.

Randy Burns / The Item Anne Rochelle sings a gospel song at Lee's Third Annual 4th of July Family Fun Celebration.

Charlie Whiteaker said he came for the fireworks, and he wasn't disappointed.

"They were great, " he said. "I loved it."

Whiteaker and friend Derrick Atkinson, who make up the popular C & D Ministries gospel group, were not scheduled to perform but were called on stage by Courtney Nunnery, 16, and Brooke Chewning, 22.

The foursome "brought the house down" with Amazing Grace and I'll Fly Away.

Nunnery and Chewning were part of an impressive lineup put together by Anne Rochelle, who served as the entertainment coordinator.

Rochelle, well known in Bishopville as the popular DJ for WAGS-AM (1380) in the 1970s and 1980s, also sang and played the guitar. Bishopville's own Dalton Stevens, better known as the Button Man, wowed the crowd with his banjo and singing.

Lee County's Frank Mitchell, a gifted guitar picker and vocalist, also performed.

Pam Kelley, Lee County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director, credited the participating chamber members for making the festival a success.

Randy Burns / The Item Some of the crowd at Lee's Third Annual 4th of July Family Fun Celebration enjoy the musical entertainment.

Scott said Kelley, her husband Al Kelley and other family members deserve most of the credit.

"I'll say this," Scott said. "If it weren't for Pam Kelley and her family, there wouldn't be a 4th of July Family Day. They've been working for days."

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

Plans are under way to bring the festival back in 2010, organizers said.

Contact Staff Writer Randy Burns at rburns@theitem.com or (803) 491-4533.