Hartsville Family Fireworks Festival returning for sixth year

The date may have changed, but the family fun still promises to be the same.

The Sixth Annual Hartsville Family Fireworks Festival is coming on Friday, July 3, and organizers are again planning for thousands of visitors.

The event takes place on the campus of Emmanuel Baptist Church at the intersection of U.S. 15 North and the U.S. 15 Bypass (Marquis Highway) from 6 to 9:30 p.m., with the fireworks display getting under way at about 9:15 p.m.

“We’re hoping to get a lot of people this year,“ said Sharman Poplava, president of the Greater Hartsville Chamber of Commerce and a member of the festival planning committee. The festival is a partnership between the chamber and Emmanuel Baptist.

“It is a family event, and it’s a great way to get the holiday weekend started. We’re hoping that a lot of people use it as an opportunity to start the holiday.“

Last year’s festival drew an estimated 6,000 people from throughout the Pee Dee, and organizers are hoping for that many and more this year.

“This event brings more people into Hartsville than any other. It’s a good opportunity to expose people to the ‘good living’ experience that Hartsville has to offer,“ said Dr. Gary Colboch, pastor of Emmanuel Baptist Church and a member of the festival planning committee.

“I believe this Fireworks Festival could be one of the best yet as we’re adding some new things, including a petting zoo, ponies, and more inflatable games for the kids. We’re also adding a Krispy Kreme doughnut eating contest and a number of new vendors.“

Lesa Hudson and her band will once again headline the entertainment for the evening.

Local talent, dance groups, gymnastics and karate demonstrations will also be a part of the festival, Poplava said.

Plenty of vendors selling arts, crafts, jewelry, T-shirts and other merchandise along with food vendors selling items like pork chop sandwiches, ribs, turkey legs, boiled peanuts, sno-cones and other items will also be on hand.

Activities will also include a car show sponsored by Koss Motor Sports. Pleasant Valley Stables will be on hand with pony rides and games for children. The Palmetto Posse will also be on hand, according to Poplava.

Science South is also getting in on this year’s festival and will have its telescope on hand for afternoon and nighttime viewing of the stars and planets.

Children’s games, inflatables, a farm exhibit with animals are also part of the evening’s planned activities.

And of course, there are the popular contests. Sonic is sponsoring a Coney eating contest. McLeod Farms is sponsoring the pie eating contest. And this year introduces a new contest, a doughnut eating contest sponsored by Krispy Kreme Doughnut Co.

Jackson Family Chiropractic is sponsoring the entertainment stage.

Emcees for the event will be state Sen. Gerald Malloy of Hartsville and Andy Locklair.

This year’s major sponsors are Raceway Automotive Group, Sonoco, the City of Hartsville, Jackson Family Chiropractic and Agape Hospice of the Pee Dee.

“There will be plenty of patriotic music. It’s a good time to come out and show your patriotic spirit,“ Poplava said.

Parking is available on the campus for $1 per vehicle.

Blankets and lawn chairs are welcome. Organizers ask, however, that you please not bring alcohol or pets.

In years past, the festival has been held on July 4. But because the 4th falls on a Saturday this year, organizers decided to hold a day early to avoid interfering with Sunday worship services at Emmanuel. “The festival finishes late and it’s really too dark to clean up the campus in time for church the next morning,“ Poplava said.

Spaces are still available for vendors. Any vendors interested in participating can call the church office at (843) 332-2271 or the chamber at (843) 332-6401.