Faith, Family, Freedom
Chairman Blount’s Newsletter 6-29-25
July 4th Week In Greenville County
We have no scheduled Council meetings this week, but if you’re looking for things to do with family, here are several events happening across Greenville County this Holiday week:
City of Greenville – Clemson MBA Fireworks at Unity Park
When: Thursday, July 3, around 9:30 PM
Where: Unity Park, downtown Greenville
What: Fireworks over the Reedy River; bring a picnic and lawn chairs
Music by the Lake at Furman University
When: Thursday, June 26 at 7:30 PM with fireworks afterward
Where: Furman campus
What: Outdoor concert by Greenville Chorale, followed by fireworks
Greer Freedom Blast
When: Saturday, June 28, 6 PM–10:30 PM
Where: Greer City Park
What: Live music, kids’ activities, food vendors, and fireworks
Fountain Inn Fireworks Spectacular
When: Thursday, July 3, 6 PM–10 PM
Where: Downtown Fountain Inn (Main & Depot Streets)
What: Food trucks, family-friendly attractions, fireworks at dusk
Simpsonville Simply Freedom Fest
When: Thursday, July 3, starting at 6 PM
Where: Heritage Park, Simpsonville
What: Live music (Eli Young Band), food vendors, fireworks
FREEdom Firework 5K
When: Friday, July 4, 8 PM–9 PM
Where: Lakewood Nature Preserve (Greenville)
What: Family-friendly 5K trail run/walk, followed by cookout and fireworks
Travelers Rest – Kids’ Bike Parade
When: Saturday, July 5 at 10 AM
Where: Trailblazer Park (235 Trailblazer Drive)
Details: Farm-market opens at 8:30 AM; bike lineup at 9:30 AM, parade rides at 10 AM. Kids decorate bikes red, white, and blue; $50 cash prizes awarded for Most Patriotic and Most Creative. No registration needed
A Personal Note To You: What Really Matters
This week I’m writing to you a little differently than I usually do. Normally, I send out a newsletter with updates about Greenville County Council. From votes, meetings, to everything else going on in our community. But this past week and the days ahead have been anything but typical for me, and I felt it was right to share with you honestly where my head and heart are.
First, after the last several weeks of long budget discussions and, ultimately, passing our new budget, my wife Ashley stepped in and did something I’m truly grateful for. She planned a much needed week for us to get away as a family. And I’ll tell you, it was needed.
The only thing we caught was the storm that came in as we were attempting to fish, but fun was had regardless!
Most folks don’t see the behind-the-scenes toll this job can take. As council chairman and councilman, I’m on call just about 24/7. I wouldn’t trade the opportunity to serve, but the reality is, it takes a lot out of us and out of the people who love us. The political world can get swampy, petty, and heavy on the spirit. My wife saw that I needed time to unplug, and I want to thank her publicly for always supporting me, and for knowing when I need to step away and breathe!
Most people know what I do for my “other job”, but for those who don’t, I am a singer/songwriter/performer. Today, I find myself stepping into one of the hardest yet happiest shows I’ll ever play. I’m heading to Charlotte, NC, to honor my friend Brad Brady.
Brad was murdered recently, and the person responsible still hasn’t been brought to justice. That’s not easy for me to write. Brad and I met in high school marching band, and from that point on, he was family. He poured his heart into music, not just his own love for it, but giving other musicians the chance to chase their dreams. He promoted shows across North Carolina, lifted up countless local artists, and never cared about the spotlight, only about helping others shine!
Today’s show is Brad’s perfect lineup, a day of music from bands and artists who are where they are in part because Brad believed in them. I’m honored to be among them. When I sing “God Talks to Me” tonight, it’ll be for our big brother Brad.
If you have any information about Brad’s murder, please, no matter how small it may seem, contact Crime Stoppers. There’s a $10,000 reward, and your call is anonymous.
If you can’t make it out to the show but you’d like to support Brad’s love of music, donations from today’s concert will go to the East Burke High School marching band, where he and I first met. You can donate directly HERE
Make sure to write "For Brad" in the notes!
Before I begin this section, I want to clarify that I realize we are celebrating our Independence for 248 years now, but Greenville County was formed a few years later, so I wanted the graphic to reflect that.
As we head into the 4th of July week, I hope we all take a moment to truly reflect. Independence Day isn’t just about fireworks and cookouts, it’s a chance to remember how fortunate we are to live in a country where liberty is woven into the very fabric of our daily lives.
That liberty gives us the power to pursue our dreams, speak our minds, challenge our leaders, and stand up for what we believe in. But freedom isn’t automatic; it has to be guarded, nurtured, and passed on to the next generation. That work doesn’t just happen in Washington, or even in Columbia, it starts right here at home, in our neighborhoods, schools, and communities.
In Greenville County, the spirit of independence lives in how we care for one another, how we hold local leaders accountable, and how we make sure everyone has a fair chance to build a good life. Our county, with its blend of tradition, growth, and opportunity, is a perfect reflection of the American story.
Every day, we benefit from the protections guaranteed by our founding documents, the right to worship, to assemble, to speak freely, to disagree, and to carve out our own path. Those rights matter whether you live in a rural community or a big city, and they deserve to be celebrated.
That’s why Independence Day should feel personal to all of us here in Greenville County, because the work of freedom is local.
Thank you for giving me the chance to serve. These past couple of weeks have reminded me exactly why I do this, to lead with honesty, integrity, and respect for everyone, even when we don’t always see eye to eye.
A 4th of July Reflection and Challenge
As we head into Independence Day, I hope you’ll take a moment to think about what freedom really means to you. It’s easy to get wrapped up in cookouts and fireworks, but this holiday is about something far more important: the right to self-govern, to speak up, and to build a better future for our kids.
Here’s my challenge for you this year: talk to your family about freedom. Talk about what makes this country work, and where it still needs work. Ask your kids what they think freedom means. Share a story with them about a time you saw real courage or leadership in your community.
If you have time, post a comment below with your answers. I’d be honored to include a few of them in next weeks edition, when we pick back up with the normal newsletter.
I wish you and your family a safe, meaningful, and blessed Independence Day in Greenville County!
Thank you for a great posting today. What does freedom mean to me and my husband? It meant that we could leave my native state of California ten years ago, purchase a home sight unseen, and travel across America in a 16 foot Ryder truck and a Honda Element filled our most precious belongings along with our two cats, Farrah and Jack.
Both Fish and I have travelled the world. This trip, we could witness first hand the extraordinary country called America. Beautiful country. Mountains and plains. 100 plus railcars delivering goods across the country. Considerate drivers in those 18 wheeler trucks. Great small town cafes. Wonderful waiters in Nogales who kept my purse lost overnight but with nothing missing. Most grateful.
But the most astonishing thing??? We didn’t have to show papers or identification as we passed each state’s border. Nothing like it in the rest of the world.
And finally, Greenville, South Carolina. Our adopted home, filled with interesting people and wonderful natural beauty. And an opportunity to serve the community on the County Planning Commission. Respect and love of country and state.
That’s America. Freedom to be whomever you want to be. Regardless of your age, your nationality or your politics.
America continues to be the great experiment for ordinary people as our Founders pledged.
And we are most grateful.