BLYTHEWOOD – “It was the best attended event we’ve ever had in the park,” Doko Manor and Event Director Steve Hasterok said of the crowd at the July 3 fireworks event at the Palmetto Citizens Amphitheater in Doko Park. “It was already a huge crowd, then about an hour before the fireworks began, about 1,000 more people converged on the park with lawn chairs, blankets and the kids,” Hasterok said.
Crowd estimates shortly before the fireworks began, according to Town Hall, were between 5,000 and 6,000 people.
The playground was overflowing and the lines at the food trucks were long and steady all night long. The variety of food offerings ranged from barbeque, pizza and homemade lemonade to snow cones, popcorn, donuts and desserts.
With three musical performances, 20 food trucks including Chick-fil-A, Papa John’s, Scotties and Doko Smoke, 20 minutes of fireworks and great weather, what was there not to like about the annual event?
Mike and Gina Tanner entertained with some of their Lunatrix wonders – face and tattoo painting and giant bubbles.
Blythewood Mayor J. Michael Ross summed it up – “This was the best yet! EboniRamm was a great addition to the performers with her poetry and music. Deluxe Blues gave us great blues music and DB Bryant topped it off. Then boom! boom! boom! and the sky lit up. Best yet!” Ross said.
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- Lady Bengal volleyball star Gabrielle (Gabby) Waden, second from right, showed up with friends and relatives – Katelyn Waden, left, Trinity Davis, Kiersten Davis and Nina Waden. Gabby attends Mississippi State University on a volleyball scholarship.
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- John Harkness and his Blues DeLuxe band entertained along with singer EboniRamm and the DB Bryant band.
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- The Doble kids of Cobblestone Park, Benson, 1, Brycen, 3, and Tessa, 5, enjoyed the show in style and stayed cool with matching chairs and umbrellas.
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- Mike Tanner of Lunatrix and Director of the Fairfield County EMS, delighted kids in the playground area with giant bubbles.
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- Blythewood Mayor J. Michael Ross and his wife, Nancy, welcomed 5,000-6,000 guests to the July 3 Fireworks event.
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- Ridgeway Mayor Heath Cookendorfer
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- Garden Club ladies Jeanette Smith, Brenda Fields and Delores Snellgrove
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- Six-year-old cousins Amira Hood, left, and Karrington Whitt stopped by Sno-Biz for their ice cold treats.
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- Cobblestone Park neighbors Anna Jensen, left, and Christina Fair who is part owner of Cornwallis Tea House in Winnsboro.
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- Renay Caldwell watched fireworks with her two sweeties, grandson Mason Miranda, 2-1/2, and pup Yogi Caldwell
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- John Gligor and his wife Robin, who works at Palmetto Citizens Bank, which the amphitheater is named for.
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- Ellie Ayer, who attended with her family, didn’t leave anything to chance when it came to celebrating Independence Day. She wore red, white and blue…with stars.
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- Gary and Kim Hinkel brought along their pooch, McRay.
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- Daniel White and his Great White Pyrenees, Noah, are regulars at the Fireworks events.
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