Selling Hartsville launch to go ahead Thursday

The launch of the Selling Hartsville initiative will go on as scheduled Thursday despite the shocking news of the robbery and murder of Hartsville business owner Keith Hancock Monday night.

“There was some thought among some people that maybe Selling Hartsville could be postponed, but then the thought is that having a dynamic downtown is something that Keith Hancock was a part of, and we should not let the actions of horribly bad people make us look at only the bad things that happen in life,” said Dick Puffer, executive director of The Byerly Foundation, which is sponsoring the Selling Hartsville effort.

The event will get under way at 6 p.m. at Charles E. Burry Park in Cargill Way and last until about 8 p.m.

Organizers of the Selling Hartsville initiative are targeting a hometown audience with the launch of the branding and marketing campaign.
Selling Hartsville is aimed at highlighting “Hartsville — The Art of Good Living.”

Activities for the kick-off event include live entertainment. As a prelude to the evening’s activities, city officials and citizens will celebrate the official dedication of Charles E. Burry Park beginning at 5 p.m.

Other activities and events are planned for the upcoming weekend that organizers of the effort hope will tie in to the Selling Hartsville theme.

The Selling Hartsville campaign is focused on promoting five basic pillars of life in Hartsville: learning, legacy, leisure, lifestyle and livelihood. The campaign seeks to present Hartsville as a place where people can “Expect Pleasant Surprises.”

During the event, Mayor Michael Holt will make a special presentation to Coker College President Dr. Jim Dawson in recognition of Coker’s 100th anniversary celebration.
Various organizations and businesses will have information booths set up at different locations throughout the evening. The Hartsville Fire Department will highlight its 100th anniversary during the event.

Puffer said Thursday’s event is aimed at reminding Hartsville residents of what the community has to offer. “We have to keep reminding ourselves that this town is not like any other small town,” Puffer said in recent remarks to the Greater Hartsville Chamber of Commerce.

Puffer said the Thursday night event offers an opportunity for residents to gather downtown and spend time with friends while making new friends.
A major part of the Selling Hartsville effort is aimed at encouraging economic by encouraging people taking jobs in Hartsville to live in the area.

Johnna Shirley of the Selling Hartsville marketing subcommittee told chamber members recently that a study by Sonoco found that a number of its new executive employees choose to live in communities other than Hartsville, including Florence, Camden and Columbia, taking their salaries and buying power with them.
Activities Thursday will take place in Cargill Way, Centennial Park and at the Center Theater.

Entertainment will include the Sonoco Men’s Club, the Hartsville High School cheerleaders, Oneeda Martin, Walter Crooks Drums, Morgan Dampier, the Coker College Glee Club, the Hartsville High School Glee Club, dance teams.

Organizers are asking downtown retailers to keep their shops open later and to place some of their merchandise out on the sidewalks.

Other activities that will take place through the weekend include Coker College’s homecoming celebration, the Jazz! Carolina Down-town Block Party on Saturday from 7 p.m. to midnight on East Carolina Avenue, the Good Living Market-place on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and the Tournament of Bands at Kelleytown Stadium on Saturday at 1 p.m. with the Hartsville High Red Regime Band performing at 7:30 p.m.