John Mansure, President of Greer Memorial Hospital, shares the events that will occur at the 4th annual Freedom Blast June 30 at City Park.
Whitney Walters is backed by (from left) Tez Sharad on drums, Nate Smith on keyboards and Kenny Shider on bass guitar.
Where else, but the Freedom Blast on June 30, can you get a pie free. The catch is you have to eat it faster than anybody else with your hands behind your back.
Fireworks by the internationally-reknowned Zambelli Family will present a Salute to the Military with a choreographed show at the end of the Freedom Blast.
The 4th annual Freedom Blast is scheduled Saturday, June 30 at Greer City Park from 5-10 p.m. and will feature a salute to the men and women of the United States Armed Forces. The evening finale will be a fireworks show presented by internationally renowned Zambelli Fireworks.
“It’s an event that visitors tell us is fun, entertaining and inspiring,” City Administrator Ed Driggers said.”
Greer will get undivided attention with its June 30 celebration. Greenville and Spartanburg will celebrate Independence Day on July 4. “We think this is great timing for this event because it will be able to stretch the holiday out,” Driggers said.
Groove Planet of Greenville is a soul, jazz and blues band. The band is backed by Kenny Shider on bass guitar, Nate Smith on keyboards and Tez Sharard on drums.
The Freedom Blast, which arguably garners the biggest crowd annually at City Park, will have activities for the entire family.
“This event is a great opportunity for our city to recognize local military heroes and the communities they serve,” said John Mansure, President of Greer Memorial Hospital.
Preston Johnson, Commander of the Disabled Veterans of America, spoke of the value the celebration is to active, retired and families of the military. “We all love recognition and this is our 15 seconds of fame,” Johnson said. The DAV Greer Chapter 39 received a renovated mobile trailer, from Greer Chamber Leadership Class XXXII, that will function as an informational center and a unit that will able to process disabled claims instantly to the departments. “There’s no more waiting. We can file and transmit instantly the information instead of doing it by hand and mail.”
The mobile unit will be at the Freedom Blast.
A QR reader will provide Freedom Blast information from posters throughout the venue for users of smart phones.
Scheduled activities are:
5-8 p.m. – Kids’ Zone features free arts and crafts.
5-9 p.m. – Blood drive.
5-9:30 p.m. – Inflatables with a $5 bracelet allowing all of the nine one can maneuver.
5-10 p.m. – The Food Court will be on the promenade and beverage carts will sell soda and beer.
5 p.m. – Greer Idol Teen competition.
6 p.m. – Greer Idol 6 competition.
7:15 p.m. – Pie eating contest at amphitheater stage.
7:45 p.m. – Groove Planet
9:45 p.m. – Military tribute
10 – 10:15 p.m. – Zambelli Fireworks.