Downtown Bicentennial Parade Set for Oct. 4
Greg Wilson/Anderson Observer
Anderson County will celebrate its 200th anniversary with a downtown parade at 3 p.m. Oct. 4, featuring local governments, schools, nonprofits, businesses, civic groups and public-safety organizations.
The parade, which will travel along Main Street in downtown Anderson, is part of the county’s bicentennial observance. Anderson County was created by an act of the South Carolina General Assembly on Dec. 20, 1826.
More than 40 entries are expected, including the Anderson County Library, Anderson County Museum, Anderson Arts Center, Anderson University, AnMed Health, Tri-County Technical College, the Anderson County Sheriff’s Office, the City of Anderson and the City of Anderson Fire Department.
Other participating local governments include the cities of Belton and Anderson and the towns of Honea Path, Pelzer, West Pelzer and Williamston. The list also includes Anderson County Economic Development, the Anderson County Convention and Visitors Bureau, Anderson Regional Airport and the S.C. Department of Employment.
The T.L. Hanna High School Band and Westside High School Marching Band are scheduled to participate, along with Scouting America, Area 14 Special Olympics, the American Red Cross, the Marine Corps League Detachment, Honor for Heroes, Rotary Club of Anderson and the Anderson County Chapter of the Genealogical Society.
Political and civic organizations slated to appear include the Anderson County Democratic Party and Anderson County Republican Party. Businesses and community organizations on the participant list include First Quality, Smurfit Westrock, Newton Shoes, Young Plumbing Services, Streamline Travel, Live Healthy Anderson County Coalition, Counseling for Life, Party with the Past, Hejaz Drifters and Denise Rector.
The parade will be one of the county’s major public bicentennial events, joining a yearlong celebration of Anderson County’s history, institutions, municipalities and businesses. County officials have described the event as a special parade separate from the city’s regular Christmas and Veterans Day processions.
The Anderson County Museum has led the year-long efforts and will release a new book on Anderson County history in late November.
