Summerville celebrates nation’s birth | Local News | Summerville Journal Scene

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Summerville celebrates nation’s birth

Published Tuesday, July 08, 2008 1:43 PM

Summerville Journal Scene ®

Sharon Gnau

Jamison Jakubowski shows off his patriotic side.

Over 1000 people came out for the Red, White and Blue on the Green, Summerville’s Fourth of July Celebration hosted by Summerville D.R.E.A.M. (Downtown Restoration, Enhancement and Management) on Friday, July 4.

The event included games and activities for all ages, live contests, patriotic face painting, music by the Howle Brothers, jump castles and tons of food at the All-American concessions stand.

Children slid down an inflatable slide and had Americana shapes airbrushed into their hair. Big eaters devoured hotdogs and watermelon in eating contests, while parents and their kids soaked each other to the bone in the balloon toss.

Local policemen came out on their time off to volunteer at the dunking booth. Egging on parents with jokes about giving out tickets made the dunking booth one of the biggest draws at the festival.

“One of the officers finally had to leave and go back to work,” said Jami Sheppard, executive director for D.R.E.A.M. “He just climbed out of the booth and went, soaking wet, to go direct traffic.”

Old-fashioned games rounded out the fun for the children.

Prizes were awarded to the winners of the non-motorized parade in the categories of Most Patriotic, Most Original and Most Patriotic Pet. The panel of judges was comprised of Kate McCaw, president of Summerville D.R.E.A.M., Tony Islan, president of the Summerville Community Orchestra Guild and Diane Frankenbergerer, owner of People, Places and Quilts and a founding member of Summerville D.R.E.A.M.

Over 150 children along with their parents participated in the parade, led by the Dorchester County Honor Guard and the Grand Marshal Mayor Berlin G. Myers escorted by Fire Chief Marc Melfi.

From the sparkling parade costumes to the red, white and blue decorations and American flags, the event celebrating our nation’s birthday was about coming together with family and friends on our nation’s most important day. But the day also served as a reminder of why people choose to live in Summerville. With its warm, family-friendly atmosphere and the hometown feeling in its downtown and events, it’s a place people want to call home.

“There was a couple whot came with their three-year-old son. They had moved to West Ashley from China two years ago and they were having a great time immersing themselves in American culture. Their son was thrilled to receive an American flag to wave in the parade,” said Chris McLaughlin, a volunteer at the event.

The festival, like so many others held in small towns all over the country, served as a great example of what makes this country special.

“Looking at all the faces, some of them freshly painted with fireworks and American flags, I was truly proud of the work that we did for our town, for the people of our town and for our visitors. For me, it was truly American and really what living in this nation is all about,” said Katie DePoppe, event chair.

Event sponsors included First National Bank of SC, Palmetto Wellness Center, Guerin’s Pharmacy and Carolina Golf Cart Rental. Activity sponsors included: P-Dogs Restaurant, Graymour-Bediko Stables 4-H Club, Harborside Construction, The Lee Group Real Estate, Fastenal, RSVP Events and Communications, Relish Downtown, Ooh La La Beauty Boutique, Palmetto Images Production Company, Lowcountry Police Wives, Summerville Lumber, Anytime Fitness, The Models Studio, This Whole House, Marigold’s, Misty Woodward Photography and First Citizens Bank.

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