GSA Daily Staff Report
Published July 2, 2009

The nation’s economic woes and temperatures in the 90s in downtown Spartanburg did not deter thousands of Upstate residents from flocking to Barnet Park last Friday to celebrate Independence Day.

Exact figures have yet to be released, but attendance at Spartanburg Community College Foundation’s Red, White & Boom celebration on June 26 are estimated to be consistent with last year’s results, according to Kelley Jones, interim director of the SCC Foundation.

Last year country music singer Aaron Tippin performed. In 2007, more than 6,000 came to Spartanburg to see “American Idol” winner Taylor Hicks.

Despite less sponsorship as a result of a struggling economy, initial estimates are the event profited approximately $18,000 for the SCC Foundation.

“We could not produce an event of this caliber without our sponsors. Support from the City of Spartanburg, Spartanburg Herald Journal, GoUpstate.com, WSPA-TV 7, Your Carolina and WSSL-FM are a big reason we are able to offer this event to the community each year,” Jones said.

Red, White & Boom has been a Spartanburg Independence Day tradition for 14 years and is the major fundraiser for the SCC Foundation. Proceeds raised from the event allow the SCC Foundation to assist the college in the form of student scholarships, faculty and staff development training, equipment and economic development efforts.

The evening began with a performance of patriotic music by the Spartanburg Community Band. Several thousand people gathered in Barnet Park to rock-n-roll to a performance by Spartanburg’s own Trik Alley Band.

A lower general admission ticket price of $5, instead of $10 that was charged the past two years, made the event more affordable to Upstate families.

The event also included a family-style cook out on the Marriott terrace where approximately 200 Patriotic Picnic attendees were entertained by Upstate band, The Enforcers.

“The Marriott terrace picnic provided patrons with another option for celebrating the event in a smaller, less crowded venue,” Jones, said.

This year’s celebration kicked off on Thursday with a pre-event concert by pianist Jeff Little to an intimate crowd at the Chapman Cultural Center. Also joining Little on stage was stand-up bass player Josh Scott and national five-string banjo champion Steve Lewis.