Spirit of Florence kicks off Saturday

Area families are invited to kick up their heels in honor of freedom and independence Saturday at the “Spirit of Florence” family celebration.

Sponsored by Florence Parks & Leisure Services, the Drs. Bruce & Lee Foundation Library, Florence Museum, Florence Police Department and Florence RedWolves, the sixth annual “Spirit of Florence” will begin with a 5K walk/run at 8 a.m.

The idea of a July 4th community celebration began in the 1970s with “Florence Loves America” day at Timrod Park, Florence Leisure Services Supervisor Rocky Rietkovich said. The event drew such large crowds that it was moved to the old fairgrounds.

Years later, that event evolved into the Florence Family Fling, which was held at Memorial Stadium.

“Both of these programs reached thousands of people in our community and provided activities for everyone,” Rietkovich said in a press release. “We are continuing that tradition with a fun, inexpensive day that will allow everyone to have an enjoyable time here at home. We also have people join us from neighboring communities or who may be staying in Florence on their way through to another destination.”

The bulk of the “Spirit of Florence” activities will kick off at 10 a.m. at Timrod Park in Florence. There will be face painting, carnival games, balloon sculpting, live music and many other activities throughout the day. Food vendors will be on site, but attendees are welcome to bring a picnic lunch.

“We’re always excited to have these kind of events,” said Florence Mayor Stephen J. Wukela, who will be in attendance with his family. “It’s a chance to come together as a community to celebrate our freedom and to have a day of good family time.

“We’re looking forward to it, and I think it’s just going to be a whole lot of fun.”

Activities at the park will run until 4 p.m. Afterward, families are invited to continue the celebration at Legion Field for a concert by local band MidLife Crisis followed by a battle on the diamond between the Florence RedWolves and the Fayetteville SwampDogs.

The celebration’s finale will be a fireworks extravaganza at Memorial Stadium.

Proceeds from the festival benefit several local nonprofit organizations that include Camp Fever, Florence Track Club, Florence International Children’s Games and Florence Tennis Association community.

— Copy editor Traci Bridges can be reached at (843) 317-7325. Comment on this story at www.scnow.com.

Smart Cat to attend festivities

S.C. ETV’s Kids mascot, Smart Cat, will be attending the “Spirit of Florence” Fourth of July festivities. He will be meeting and greeting his young fans, as well as giving away some of his favorite Smart Cat swag, including Frisbees, stickers and activity sheets.

Not long ago, Smart Cat was what some might call “a flabby tabby.” But he committed himself to making healthier food choices and becoming more active. In fact, his new motto is, “Less Catnaps, More Jumping Jacks!”

His fitness transformation can be seen everyday during the ETV Kids lineup, as his young fans leap off the couch and join him in activities that not only get the heart pumping, but the imagination racing.

In fact, some of his favorite “exercises” include pretending to be chased by a bear or a kernel of corn that suddenly pops.

Along the way, Smart Cat also champions the cause of healthier eating. Every day, Smart Cat selects the fruit or vegetable of the day, and encourages his audience to eat a serving of that food.

For more details about Smart Cat’s “Spirit of Florence” visit, contact Fran Johnson at (803) 737-8279 or fjohnson@scetv.org.