Little Main was packed with locals, as well as visitors from all over the Low Country, to celebrate Independence Day.


Patriotic face painting was a popular activity during the festival.


The watermelon eating contest took its place among the many games sponsored by local businesses.


Festival goers signed cards to be sent to American soldiers.


The Most Original


The Most Patriotic

Over 1000 people came out for the Red, White and Blue on the Green, Summerville's Fourth of July Celebration hosted by Summerville D.R.E.A.M. (Downtown Restoration, Enhancement and Management) on Friday, July 4.

The event included games and activities for all ages, live contests, patriotic face painting, music by the Howle Brothers, jump castles and tons of food at the All-American concessions stand. Children slid down an inflatable slide and had Americana shapes airbrushed into their hair, the older guys devoured hotdogs and watermelon as quickly as possible for the eating contests and parents and their kids soaked each other to the bone with the balloon toss. Local policemen came out on their personal time to volunteer in the dunking booth edging parents on with chides of giving out tickets. Old fashioned games rounded out the fun for the children.

At 6 p.m., Stephen Deal of Ladson was announced as the winner of the Official Summerville Fourth of July Hotdog contest, sponsored by P-Dogs Restaurant. His recipe titled "The Patriot for the Person Who Loves His Country" took the top prize.

Other sponsors included First National Bank of SC, Palmetto Wellness Center, Guerin's Pharmacy and Carolina Golf Cart Rental. Activity sponsors included: Graymour-Bediko Stables 4-H Club, Harborside Construction, The Lee Group Real Estate, Fastenal, RSVP Events and Communications, Relish Downtown, Ooh La La Beauty Boutique, Palmetto Images Production Company, Lowcountry Police Wives, Summerville Lumber, Anytime Fitness, The Models Studio, This Whole House, Marigold's, Misty Woodward Photography and First Citizens Bank.

At 7 p.m., prizes were awarded to the winners of the non-motorized parade in the categories of Most Patriotic, Most Original and Most Patriotic Pet. The panel of judges was comprised of Kate McCaw, president of Summerville D.R.E.A.M., Tony Islan, president of the Summerville Community Orchestra Guild and Diane Frankenberger, owner of People, Places and Quilts and founding member of Summerville D.R.E.A.M. Over 150 children along with their parents participated in the parade led by the Dorchester County Honor Guard and the Grand Marshal Mayor Berlin G. Myers escorted by Fire Chief Marc Melfi.

However, the celebration was more than just the patriotic colors woven into all aspects of the event from the parade costumes to the decorations; the event was about coming together with family and friends on our nation's most important day.

"Looking at all the faces, some of them freshly painted with fireworks and American flags, I was truly proud of the work that we did for our town, for the people of our town and for our visitors. For me, it was truly American and really what living in this nation is all about," said Katie DePoppe, event chair.

And it was not just people from Summerville who enjoyed the event.

"There was a couple that came with a three year old son who had moved to West Ashley from China two years ago and they were having a great time immersing themselves in American culture. Their son was thrilled to receive an American flag to wave in the parade," said Chris McLaughlin, a volunteer at the event.

Most were reminded that this is why people choose to live in Summerville, because of the warm, family-friendly atmosphere and the hometown feeling in its downtown and events.

And the fun does not stop here. The next event in the DREAMFest: Third Thursdays Downtown series is on Thursday, July 17 from 5 to 8 p.m. Folks will gather for a free community concert on Hutchinson Square (Town Square) and an Art Walk on Short Central. Shops and restaurants will be open later. The concert featuring the Ann Caldwell Quartet will begin at 6:30 p.m. Bring a beach blanket or some beach chairs and enjoy! Ann Caldwell is known in the Lowcountry as the "First Lady of Jazz." For more information, call the Summerville D.R.E.A.M. office at 843-821-7260 or email info@summervilledream.org.

Summerville D.R.E.A.M. (Downtown Restoration, Enhancement and Management) is a non-profit organization dedicated to improving the quality of life in Summerville by enhancing the aesthetic, cultural, social and economic aspects of the Historic Downtown district while preserving its historic identity. Affiliated with Main Street SC (MASC) and the National Main Street Association, Summerville D.R.E.A.M. works to enhance community identity and pride by providing "hometown" events, assisting businesses with design improvements, building tourism and marketing Historic Downtown Summerville to residents and guests. For more information, please call 843- 821-7260 or visit our Web site at www.summervilledream.org.