'Bigger and better than ever'

Nearly 15K people attend Celebrate Simpsonville

Simpsonville, S.C. — The Independence Day event Celebrate Simpsonville was a major success on Sunday as almost 15,000 people flocked to the CCNB Amphitheatre at Heritage Park for the Rodney Atkins concert and fireworks show.

Multi-platinum selling country music star Rodney Atkins performs at the CCNB Amphitheatre at Heritage Park during Celebrate Simpsonville on July 4, 2021 | City of Simpsonville

A fireworks show closed out the night at the CCNB Amphitheatre at Heritage Park following Rodney Atkins's set | City of Simpsonville       

Simpsonville Community Relations Specialist Justin Campbell said the sight of thousands of people with their friends and families smiling and having a great time was a joy to all involved.

"Celebrate Simpsonville in 2021 was likely more successful than it has ever been," Campbell said. "The enthusiasm and excitement inside the CCNB Amphitheatre was awesome to see after the event was canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19. We promised that the next Celebrate Simpsonville would be bigger and better than ever, and I believe the City and TRZ Management delivered on that promise."

Multi-platinum selling country music star Rodney Atkins headlined the free show before a 15-minute fireworks finale with an accompanying patriotic soundtrack. Rising Nashville duo Dugger Band and solo artist Luke Ferguson opened for Atkins with DJ SHA keeping the crowd hyped between acts.

Rising Nashville duo Dugger Band opened for Rodney Atkins during Celebrate Simpsonville at the CCNB Amphitheatre at Heritage Park | City of Simpsonville

DJ SHA kept the crowd in the CCNB Amphitheatre at Heritage Park hyped between acts | City of Simpsonville

Solo artist Luke Ferguson played some country tunes as the crowd grew at Celebrate Simpsonville | City of Simpsonville

The City of Simpsonville canceled the event last year a month before its scheduled date to protect public health and abide by state restrictions on crowd sizes as COVID-19 continued to spread. Campbell said successfully holding Celebrate Simpsonville this year was a testament to the strength and resilience of the Simpsonville community.

"A turnout of nearly 15,000 people for live music and fireworks was a great way to celebrate getting back to that normalcy we all missed," Campbell said. "Simpsonville residents and visitors have made a lot of sacrifices and hard decisions over the past 18 months, and it is that drive to keep moving forward that made Celebrate Simpsonville happen in 2021."

Mayor Paul Shewmaker, Miss Teen Simpsonville 2022 Gracen Vaughn and singer Hannah Klein kicked off Celebrate Simpsonville. Gracen led the crowd in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, and Klein sang the National Anthem | City of Simpsonville

Miss Simpsonville Teen 2022 Gracen Vaughn led the crowd inside the CCNB Amphitheatre at Heritage Park in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance | City of Simpsonville

Hannah Klein sings the National Anthem at Celebrate Simpsonville | City of Simpsonville

Mayor Paul Shewmaker welcomes everyone to Celebrate Simpsonville at the CCNB Amphitheatre at Heritage Park on July 4, 2021. Mayor Shewmaker said Celebrate Simpsonville was the best July 4th event in the Upstate | City of Simpsonville

A special thanks to the following:

Simpsonville Fire Department

Simpsonville Parks & Recreation Department

Simpsonville Police Department

Rodney Atkins

DJ SHA

Dugger Band

Luke Ferguson

Hannah Klein

Miss Simpsonville Teen 2022 Gracen Vaughn

TRZ Management