Looking for July 4th fireworks? Here's a list of Upstate SC displays, community gatherings

Nina Tran, Greenville News
Updated ·6 min read

The Fourth of July in the Upstate is fast approaching, and that means we can watch fireworks displays at community gatherings around our area.

Whatever direction you turn your head over the next week, you are likely to catch a burst of sparkle and flame in your field of vision at night.

Our region is full of places to celebrate July 4 with friends and family. From Fountain Inn to Spartanburg to Seneca, and all points in between, there is no shortage of Independence Day events.

Here's our roundup of Fourth of July celebrations in the Upstate:

Greenville County

∎Fireworks Spectacular, Fountain Inn, Saturday, July 1, 6 p.m.-dark Located on Fountain Inn's downtown Main Street, this spectacle will feature food trucks, fireworks and Cravin' Melon. Kids will be able to play for free in a kid's area that will have laser tag, a foam party and inflatable games.

∎Kids' Bike Parade, Travelers Rest, Saturday, July 1, 8:30-12 p.m. Parade participants are encouraged to decorate their bikes in red, white and blue for their ride around the Travelers Rest Farmers Market festival lawn. Cash prizes will be awarded to the Most Patriotic and Creative bikes and all participants will receive a free Common Pops popsicle sponsored by the Mayor's Office of Travelers Rest. Registration is not needed for the free event.

∎Family, Fun, & Fireworks Celebration at Hartness, Greenville, Saturday, July 1, 6:30-9:30 p.m. Music, food trucks and kids activities await at Hartness' celebration of America's Birthday. Bring a blanket and chair to the Hartness Grand Lawn and make sure to register beforehand for the event.

∎Simpsonville Simply Freedom Fest, Sunday, July 2, 6-10 p.m. Country Music icon Josh Turner will make an appearance at the Freedom Fest with Dugger Band and DJ Sha. Gates open at 5:30 p.m., and both lawn seats and chair seats in front of the CCNB Amphitheatre Stage at Heritage Park is limited and on a first-come-first-serve basis. Admission is free.

∎Independence Day with the Greenville Drive, Greenville, Tuesday, July 4, 5p.m. Fluor Field presents an all-American day of food, fun and fireworks as it celebrates Military Appreciation Day in conjunction with Independence Day celebrations. Within the stadium, the Greenville Symphony Orchestra will perform as a Special Forces jump team lands in the Fluor Field outfield. There will also be a Marines presentation of colors and vintage WWII warbirds flyover. Tickets can be found here.

∎Clemson MBA Fireworks on the 4th at Unity Park, Greenville, Tuesday, July 4 6-10 p.m. Enjoy a picnic dinner as you celebrate the Fourth of July underneath the fireworks, which start at 9:45 p.m. Food options will be limited at Unity Park. Attendees are encouraged to bring their own food and drink, but alcohol is not allowed.

Spartanburg County

∎Watermelon Festival, Duncan, Saturday, July 1, 4-9 p.m. This event held at the Duncan Event Center features a watermelon eating contest and seed spitting contest to win a trophy, along with live music and a $5 kid zone. Its large fireworks show will be held in conjunction with Shipwreck Cove's Star-Spangled Splash, which opens at 6:30 p.m.

∎Star-Spangled Splash, Spartanburg, Saturday, July 1, 7-10 p.m. Tickets are $15 per person to celebrate the Fourth of July at Shipwreck Cove. Children under two get free admission. Visitors will enjoy swimming and waterpark amenities, as well as a fireworks display.

∎Red, White and Boom, Spartanburg, Tuesday, July 4, 5:30-10 p.m. This event is Spartanburg's favorite away to celebrate Independence Day. The event will be held at Barnett Park and will feature great food and a fireworks show presented by Zambelli Fireworks. Please note that this year parking will not be available in the First Baptist Church parking lot. Parking garages will be open.

∎Fireworks at First, North Spartanburg, Sunday, July 2, 7p.m. Attendees of First Baptist North Spartanburg will enjoy fireworks, inflatables and food vendors. Bring a lawn chair to relax and fellowship at the free event.

The city of Spartanburg's Red, White and Boom Fourth of July celebration took place on Sunday at Barnet Park. The event featured patriotic music performed by the Spartanburg Jazz Ensemble and a fireworks display.
The city of Spartanburg's Red, White and Boom Fourth of July celebration took place on Sunday at Barnet Park. The event featured patriotic music performed by the Spartanburg Jazz Ensemble and a fireworks display.

Anderson County

∎America's 5K, Anderson, Saturday, July 1 A 5K and one mile fun run in celebration of Independence Day. The one mile will start at 8 a.m., and the 5K will commence at 8:30 a.m. at the Anderson County Courthouse. To sign up, visit here.

∎Homeland Park Fire Department Fireworks Show, Saturday, July 1 Children can enjoy free bounce houses at this family event. There will be music and a fireworks display along with BBQ plates and fun foods like funnel cakes, fried Oreos, shaved ice, vinegar fries and boiled peanuts.

∎Lights on the Lake at Lake Greenwood, Greenwood, Saturday, July 1 5:30-10:30 p.m. Gates open for this free event at 5 p.m. Nominal parking fee per vehicle by Camp Fellowship is $10. Live music by the Jake Bartley Band starts at 7:30 p.m. at the Camp Fellowship shoreline. Visitors are encouraged to come by boat or land, for both options offer great views of the entertainment.

∎4th of July Celebration at Big Water Marina, Starr, Saturday, July 1, 10 a.m.-11 p.m. This Independence Day celebration on Lake Hartwell will kick off with food trucks from local favorites, live music by the Bennett Brothers, and other festivities. The event will wrap up with a fireworks show on the lake.

∎Easley Fourth of July Festival, Easley, Saturday, July 2-July 4 You can view the fireworks for this three-day festival a mile from downtown Easley. The highlight of this year's show will be the free air dog shows, along with free concerts.

Spectators watch fireworks during the Independence Day Celebration at Homeland Park fire department in Anderson. This year the show is on July 1.
Spectators watch fireworks during the Independence Day Celebration at Homeland Park fire department in Anderson. This year the show is on July 1.

Pickens

∎Hillbilly Day, Mountain Rest, Tuesday, July 4 Although this event does not include fireworks, it is known in the area for its bluegrass music, hickory-smoked BBQ, horse-drawn wagon, greased pig chase and snow cones, as well as arts and crafts. The event, located at the Mountain Rest Community Center, is free with donations accepted, and visitors should bring their own chairs.

∎4th of July Celebration at the Market at the Mill, Pickens, Tuesday, July 4 5-10 p.m. This year's event will feature country artist Kayla McKinney, food vendors, indoor and outdoor markets, and kids activities.

∎Independence Spectacular, Pickens, Saturday, July 1, 3-9 p.m. Live music, kids games and rides will take place at the Pickens Amphitheatre. At 9 p.m., the event will conclude with fireworks.

A burst of fireworks lights up the sky above a flag on a Seneca fire department ladder truck at Gignilliat Field in Seneca.
A burst of fireworks lights up the sky above a flag on a Seneca fire department ladder truck at Gignilliat Field in Seneca.

Oconee

∎Walhalla Independence Fest, Downtown Walhalla, Saturday, July 2-Tuesday, July 4 This three-day fest will feature a carnival, a water sprinkler, live DJ, bike and golf parade and Merchants Market. Event times and dates vary, so please visit here for more information.

∎4th of July Celebration, Seneca, Tuesday, July 4 2 p.m. Free, family fun festivities await at this Independence Day celebration at Gignilliat Field. There will be free waterslides, food and drinks, along with live music from Departure, a Journey tribute band. At 8 p.m., the US Coast Guard Choir will perform the National Anthem. Award-winning fireworks will light the sky at dusk.

Nina Tran covers trending topics for the Greenville News. Reach her via email at ntran@gannett.com

This article originally appeared on Greenville News: Fourth of July in Upstate SC: Where to watch fireworks, events