Rock Hill’s Red, White and Boom: ‘No black, no white ... just a family out having fun’
The blueberry cheesecake ice cream-covered smile couldn’t be wiped off 18-month-old Wyatt Purcaro’s face Friday as he took in his first Red, White and Boom celebration in downtown Rock Hill.
“We’ve never been out here before,” said Wyatt’s mother, Leslie Purcaro. “We just wanted to get out here before all the craziness happens.”
Wyatt most enjoyed the ice cream and sidewalk chalk drawings during Friday’s 13th annual event, his mother said. The inflatables and water inflatables were popular among the younger attendees, while revelers of all ages enjoyed carnival rides, games, bubbles and face painting. There also was an ice cream eating contest and live music, but the biggest show was the fireworks display at the end of the night.
On the culinary side of the evening was an assortment of hot dogs, chicken, fish and other fried goodies. Those with a sweet tooth found the funnel cake, Italian ice or some of Karen Erinfolami’s homemade lemonade.
“We squeeze it here and we add the sugar,” she said, pushing down the metal handle on a manual juicer.
Her Irmo-based business, Karen’s Mobile Kitchen and Catering, has been coming to Rock Hill’s Fourth of July celebration for three years. They operate year-round, including setting up every day near the Amazon distribution center in Columbia.
“Just finding a way to make honest, good money,” she said. “I thought squeezing lemonade with good products would help me accomplish my goal.”
Red, White and Boom has become a tradition for Tiffany Wylie, who lives in Charlotte and ventured downtown with several family members Friday night.
“I was born and raised in Rock Hill, so we do this every year,” she said. “It’s a ritual.”
Wylie said the best part of the night wasn’t the food or rides, but seeing one big family come together for a good time.
“There’s no black, no white, it’s just a family out having fun tonight,” she said. “It gives our younger kids the chance to see everybody is not prejudiced, and we all have one heart and we’re all serving one God. So we should all be able to get along and be family.”
Teddy Kulmala • 803-329-4082
Star-spangled Saturday
Looking for more fun to celebrate the Fourth? Here’s a look at what else is scheduled in our area:
Tega Cay celebrates its 33rd anniversary Saturday with the annual Land Parade, at 9 a.m. After the parade, trolleys at Glennon Center, Runde Park, Tega Cay Elementary School will take visitors to Windjammer for the Canoe Joust at 11 a.m. The Boat Parade leaves from Nivens Creek at 11 a.m. and will make its way around the peninsula, landing at Windjammer at 12:30 p.m. At 1 p.m., the Carolina Show Ski Team will perform. The Splish-n-Splash Summer Bash for kids will be 3-5 p.m. by the Pavilion at the Tega Cay Golf Club. Brings a swimsuit and towel. The Tega Cay Lions Club’s annual Fish Fry will be 4:30-7:30 p.m with the City Ceremonies and Birthday Party with cake after. Fireworks start at 9:30.
Independence Day at Hightower Hall will be 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday at Historic Brattonsville in McConnells. A celebration of Independence from King George takes place at Hightower Hall, the antebellum home of John Bratton Jr. Fiddlers will play tunes of liberty and freedom with open calls to dance “Sellenger’s Round” and the “Virginia Reel” on the front lawn. The grounds will be set up with wickets and mallets for a tournament game of pall-mall. Toys and games keep the young ones entertained while the big kids play an old-fashioned ballgame of Rounders. Twenty historical interpreters dressed in period clothing offer cooking demonstrations, house tours and more. Event culminates with a reading of the Declaration of Independence on the front steps of Hightower Hall at 3:30 p.m. Picnics and blankets welcome; food available for purchase. Admission: adults $6, seniors $5, ages 4-17 $3. 803-684-2327; chmuseums.org
Fort Mill’s Independence Day Celebration will be 10-11 a.m. Saturday at First Baptist Church for music and history and the firing of the cannons at Confederate Park.
The annual Fourth of July fireworks display at Lake Wylie starts at 9:45 p.m. near the Buster Boyd Bridge. Fireworks shoot off from Camp Thunderbird on the South Carolina side of Buster Boyd Bridge. Viewing options include local restaurants and parking lots, including Buster Boyd Access Area. The event is coordinated by the Lake Wylie Chamber.
The city of York celebrates Independence Day from 7-10 p.m. Saturday at York Middle School with live music by the Swashtones, giveaways, kids activities, and fireworks. The event is free. There will be food and drinks available for purchase. Opening ceremonies will begin at 7:45 pm. The Pledge of Allegiance will be recited along with the presenting of the colors by the York Fire Department Color Guard. Liza Tolson will sing the national anthem. Golf carts will be available for those in need of walking assistance.
The annual Johnsonville neighborhood parade will begin at noon Saturday at at 528 Forest Drive. Neighbors and friends will march through the neighborhood, along with decorated cars, bikes, tricycles and golf carts.
The Progressive Association of Chester County Communities will be waving the American flag Friday evening and Saturday morning from the Gaston Farm overpass on I-77 in Richburg.
At Carowinds, the Celebrate America Fireworks Show begins at 10 p.m. The fireworks display is part of a weekend that includes a Daughtry concert July 2 and free admission with a military ID July 3-5. For information, go to carowinds.com
This story was originally published July 3, 2015 at 10:36 PM with the headline "Rock Hill’s Red, White and Boom: ‘No black, no white ... just a family out having fun’."