2011 Freedom Blast
Music, food, and fun for all ages is in store at the third annual Greer Memorial Hospital Freedom Blast scheduled for July 2 at Greer City Park.
The Independence Weekend festival returns to Greer City Park from 4-10:30 p.m. with a fireworks display, concerts by the Carolina All-Stars and the Professors of Soul, a Salute to the U.S. Armed Forces, a children’s duathlon, a Kids’ Zone with inflatables and free activities, and an afternoon of patriotic events in the new Greer State Bank Patriots Pointe area. The Burton's All-Season Landscaping Guest Relations Tent will be open throughout the festival to help visitors locate venues and activities.
A full lineup of food and beverage vendors, led by sponsors Pepsi and Budweiser, will anchor the City Park Promenade
“Greer Memorial Hospital Freedom Blast has become the traditional way for many families to celebrate our nation’s birthday,” Greer City Administrator Ed Driggers said. “We program the event to give everyone in the family a way to celebrate before closing with great music, a tribute to our military heroes, and one of the best fireworks shows in the state.”
The Blood Connection will be on-site from 4-8 p.m., accepting blood donations to help keep pace with the annual summer demand. Title sponsor Greer Memorial Hospital will again have a strong presence at the festival, hosting the Children's Ride and Run at its S. Buncombe Rd. campus as well as assisting with first aid and offering healthy snacks during the afternoon and evening.
"Greer Memorial Hospital is proud to be presenting the third annual Greer Freedom Blast,” said John Mansure, president of Greer Memorial Hospital. “Since 1952, Greenville Hospital System has been committed to meeting the needs of the greater Greer community. The Greer Freedom Blast helps us provide the families of this community a safe and family-oriented option for Independence Day celebrations.”
Children's Ride and Run
The Children's Ride and Run, open to boys and girls ages 6-12, returns with a new route on July 2 and a bicycle decorating contest on Friday, July 1 that will allow children in the Upstate to display their patriotic pride. All registrants will receive a complimentary water bottle and a medal for finishing the race. Full details and online registration instructions are available by following the Children's Ride and Run link at left. Children may also register In person at the Greer Memorial Hospital campus from 4-7 p.m. on July 1 or beginning at 7:30 a.m. the day of the event. Registration is $5 per participant.
Kids' Zone
Activities move to Greer City Park at 4 p.m., where the Eastside YMCA will offer free face painting and other activities in the Kids’ Zone until 8 p.m. Unlimited fun on the inflatables from 4-8:30 p.m. will be available by purchasing a $5 wristband.
Greer State Bank Patriots Pointe
New to the Greer Memorial Hospital Freedom Blast is Greer State Bank Patriots Pointe, an area to celebrate the U.S. Armed Forces and patriotism in general. Covering the northern section of Greer City Park around the pond, Patriots Pointe will include the top entries in the city's student mural competition sponsored by Langford Electric, a display of military vehicles, and a local chapter of the Rolling Thunder Motorcycle organization. Patriots Point will feature live patriotic music beginning at 4:30 p.m. At 5:15 p.m., it will be the site for the presentation of colors, a flag retirement ceremony, and the moving Missing Man Table Ceremony to honor missing members in all branches of the Armed Forces.
Live Music
Entertainment begins at 4 p.m. at the Greer State Bank Amphitheater Stage when Greer Idol hopefuls compete to advance to the next round. The C & C Construction Main Stage comes to life at 6 p.m. for an evening of rock, blues, and beach beginning with the Professors of Soul, currently ranked as one of the top 10 cover bands in the country by Gigmasters.com.
The Carolina All-Stars headline the festival lineup at 8 p.m. The seven native sons who comprise the band bring an impressive list of musical accomplishments to Greer Memorial Hospital Freedom Blast, including recording and performing with such acts as the Marshall Tucker Band, Reba McIntyre, Brooks and Dunn, Sheryl Crow, ZZ Top, and Mac Arnold. Members are Scotty Hawkins, Rickey Godfrey, Frank Wilkie, Bobby Simmons, Tony Kennedy, Donnie Duncan, and Mark McMakin.
Salute to the Armed Forces
The 2011 Salute to the Armed Forces includes special guest Kylie Hinze, a 13-year-old recording artist from Greenville, and Blue Ridge High School ROTC Cadets presenting flags from each branch of the Armed Forces.
Fireworks Show
The Greer Memorial Hospital Freedom Blast fireworks spectacular choreographed by the Pyrotecnico Company will cap the patriotic fun, with good viewing throughout the central business district.
Visit the Freedom Blast site
The Independence Weekend festival returns to Greer City Park from 4-10:30 p.m. with a fireworks display, concerts by the Carolina All-Stars and the Professors of Soul, a Salute to the U.S. Armed Forces, a children’s duathlon, a Kids’ Zone with inflatables and free activities, and an afternoon of patriotic events in the new Greer State Bank Patriots Pointe area. The Burton's All-Season Landscaping Guest Relations Tent will be open throughout the festival to help visitors locate venues and activities.
A full lineup of food and beverage vendors, led by sponsors Pepsi and Budweiser, will anchor the City Park Promenade
“Greer Memorial Hospital Freedom Blast has become the traditional way for many families to celebrate our nation’s birthday,” Greer City Administrator Ed Driggers said. “We program the event to give everyone in the family a way to celebrate before closing with great music, a tribute to our military heroes, and one of the best fireworks shows in the state.”
The Blood Connection will be on-site from 4-8 p.m., accepting blood donations to help keep pace with the annual summer demand. Title sponsor Greer Memorial Hospital will again have a strong presence at the festival, hosting the Children's Ride and Run at its S. Buncombe Rd. campus as well as assisting with first aid and offering healthy snacks during the afternoon and evening.
"Greer Memorial Hospital is proud to be presenting the third annual Greer Freedom Blast,” said John Mansure, president of Greer Memorial Hospital. “Since 1952, Greenville Hospital System has been committed to meeting the needs of the greater Greer community. The Greer Freedom Blast helps us provide the families of this community a safe and family-oriented option for Independence Day celebrations.”
Children's Ride and Run
The Children's Ride and Run, open to boys and girls ages 6-12, returns with a new route on July 2 and a bicycle decorating contest on Friday, July 1 that will allow children in the Upstate to display their patriotic pride. All registrants will receive a complimentary water bottle and a medal for finishing the race. Full details and online registration instructions are available by following the Children's Ride and Run link at left. Children may also register In person at the Greer Memorial Hospital campus from 4-7 p.m. on July 1 or beginning at 7:30 a.m. the day of the event. Registration is $5 per participant.
Kids' Zone
Activities move to Greer City Park at 4 p.m., where the Eastside YMCA will offer free face painting and other activities in the Kids’ Zone until 8 p.m. Unlimited fun on the inflatables from 4-8:30 p.m. will be available by purchasing a $5 wristband.
Greer State Bank Patriots Pointe
New to the Greer Memorial Hospital Freedom Blast is Greer State Bank Patriots Pointe, an area to celebrate the U.S. Armed Forces and patriotism in general. Covering the northern section of Greer City Park around the pond, Patriots Pointe will include the top entries in the city's student mural competition sponsored by Langford Electric, a display of military vehicles, and a local chapter of the Rolling Thunder Motorcycle organization. Patriots Point will feature live patriotic music beginning at 4:30 p.m. At 5:15 p.m., it will be the site for the presentation of colors, a flag retirement ceremony, and the moving Missing Man Table Ceremony to honor missing members in all branches of the Armed Forces.
Live Music
Entertainment begins at 4 p.m. at the Greer State Bank Amphitheater Stage when Greer Idol hopefuls compete to advance to the next round. The C & C Construction Main Stage comes to life at 6 p.m. for an evening of rock, blues, and beach beginning with the Professors of Soul, currently ranked as one of the top 10 cover bands in the country by Gigmasters.com.
The Carolina All-Stars headline the festival lineup at 8 p.m. The seven native sons who comprise the band bring an impressive list of musical accomplishments to Greer Memorial Hospital Freedom Blast, including recording and performing with such acts as the Marshall Tucker Band, Reba McIntyre, Brooks and Dunn, Sheryl Crow, ZZ Top, and Mac Arnold. Members are Scotty Hawkins, Rickey Godfrey, Frank Wilkie, Bobby Simmons, Tony Kennedy, Donnie Duncan, and Mark McMakin.
Salute to the Armed Forces
The 2011 Salute to the Armed Forces includes special guest Kylie Hinze, a 13-year-old recording artist from Greenville, and Blue Ridge High School ROTC Cadets presenting flags from each branch of the Armed Forces.
Fireworks Show
The Greer Memorial Hospital Freedom Blast fireworks spectacular choreographed by the Pyrotecnico Company will cap the patriotic fun, with good viewing throughout the central business district.
Visit the Freedom Blast site