N. Charleston celebrates in style: Independence Day festivities staged in new Riverfront Park
Seven-year-old Genesis Pratt grabbed a piece of pink chalk and took off, surveying the amphitheater wall at North Charleston's Riverfront Park for a blank section to leave her artistic mark during the park's Fourth of July grand opening.
Along the Cooper River's banks, children drew temporary masterpieces, bands played country music hits, reggae and jazz, and families lounged under umbrellas on plastic sheets spread over newly laid sod.
A crowd estimated to be as large as 5,000 turned out Monday to see the 10-acre portion of the former Charleston Naval Base transformed. Heavy and frequent rains pushed developer Noisette Co. past its deadline, and crews scrambled to complete the $6 million job on time. Besides some soggy grass, two muddy sections roped off with red tape, the park was ready to go.
"God did not shine on us for two weeks," Mayor Keith Summey said in his dedication remarks. "He gave us lots of rain. ... There was a time when we thought we'd have to call off this Fourth of July celebration."
Bill Fulton drove from Summerville to see what all the fuss was about.
"It's beautiful," said Fulton, who snagged a hug from Miss South Carolina Sarah Medley. "But imagine what it's going to look like when it's finished."
The park will remain open while work continues. The Greater Charleston Naval Base Memorial and a boardwalk running the length of the park are expected to be completed next year.
Festivities kicked off around 12:30 p.m., and concerts continued throughout the day. The event was free to visitors, and North Charleston picked up the $50,000 cost. The Charleston Symphony Orchestra performed the grand finale as fireworks exploded over the Cooper.
The city paid to have cake, punch, visors, water bottles, T-shirts and fans handed out to those who attended, and vendors sold food. Noisette offered tours of the old Navy base, detailing its history back to Native American settlers.
Others chose simply to have fun. Five-year-old Aaliyah Gore of North Charleston spent the day getting drenched in the 16-jet fountain and playing with her cousins while she waited for the fireworks show.
"I like the water," Aaliyah said. "I went in with my bathing suit on. I like this park because I like the firecrackers. I like the sound they make, 'Boom, Boom, Boom.' "
