By Betsy Finklea
The grand opening of the City of Dillon Festival Marketplace was held on Wednesday, November 19th, with numerous people in attendance.
The Festival Marketplace is located on the property once occupied by the Bethea Warehouse, which burned many years ago.
A reception was held prior to the event in the City of Dillon Visitor Center with many people spilling over outside to the tables in the marketplace already breaking in the new facility. Local musician, Terry Powers of Pepper Creek, sang in the background under the shelter becoming the first to perform at the new venue.
Dan E. Lockemy, the Master of the Ceremonies, started the event. Lockemy said he was thankful to be a part of the growth of Dillon. He said they were going to have “a lotta, lotta fun” at the new marketplace.
The invocation was given by Rev. Matt Adams of the Dillon Presbyterian Church.
Mayor Tally McColl said this was a really big deal and a big day for the City of Dillon. He said it was important to celebrate our wins and that this was a win for the City of Dillon and for the community. He said this place will serve as a hub for community events and where entrepreneurs and artisans can meet the community. He said that this facility will breathe even more life into downtown. He said the Festival Marketplace is something that the community can take pride in and that will spur the economy and bring people downtown. He said generations will enjoy the marketplace right on.
McColl said as they look around he hoped they could see how committed the city is to downtown revitalization citing improvements such as the new police department, the visitor center, the removal of the center planters, etc. He said landscaping will soon be happening in downtown Dillon.
“We are committed to revitalizing our downtown and bringing people and businesses to downtown Dillon,” said McColl.
McColl said this began as a dream with no money and has been made possible by the efforts and collaboration of a lot of people coming together and everyone doing their part.
McColl also pointed out that the City of Dillon couldn’t afford this facility. He said this facility did not directly cost the City of Dillon taxpayers one thing. He said there were three different money sources including money secured by the PDCOG and repurposing some money earmarked by Rep. Jackie Hayes for the Dillon Community Alliance.
McColl presented several bricks from the original warehouse that were found on the site to several key people on the project.
Dillon City Manager Burt Rogers said this was a vision of his former boss Glen Wagner as well. This is Rogers’ first major project as city manager. He extended a heartfelt thank you to the partners who brought the vision to life. He said this project reflects their pride in the community and our commitment to creating spaces where people can gather, celebrate, and grow together. He said they look forward to all the opportunities, memories, and energy that the Festival Marketplace will create for the community.
Rep. Jackie Hayes, who was unable to attend, was recognized by Mayor Tally McColl. Rep. Hayes told The Dillon County News, LLC, that this was a proud day for the City of Dillon, and he was pleased to be able to play a role in securing the funds that were used for this marketplace as well as other downtown revitalization projects.
Former City Manager Glen Wagner was the next to be presented a brick. Mayor Tally McColl said Wagner put this deal together before his retirement. Wagner said Rogers had done a fine job. He said there was no better person on the staff at the time to get this done. He recalled when Johnnie Luehrs and Pat Laird approached him about the farmers market project. He said then one day it popped into his head that the city should buy this property. He thanked everyone for doing all they had done to bring this project to fruition.
Johnnie Luehrs and Pat Laird were then called to receive their bricks. Laird said this was a dream come true for she and Johnnie. They have worked on this for nine years. She said they wanted to thank everyone and look forward to their first market in May. Luehrs also offered several thank yous.
Mike Tyler of FBi (Florence Builders), project manager, was the next person recognized. Tyler said this had been a good project working with good people. From an economic development perspective, Tyler said they did not how important this was from an economic development perspective. He said this was going to be a catalyst to many of the things that happen downtown. He thanked the council for “investing in themselves.”
Burt Rogers returned to the podium to recognize the Dillon City Council. He thanked them and said they do a great job for the community.
The Pee Dee COG was also recognized. Joette Dukes, executive director, said they were excited and grateful to be a part of this. She explained what they do.
Congressman Russell Fry’s representatives were present and presented a certificate to Mayor Tally McColl.
Lisa Moody, Downtown Development Coordinator, was the last to be recognized. She spoke about how proud she was of the facility and how well it turned out. Moody also made a point to thank everyone on the crews who labored on the project. She also spoke about some of the upcoming events.
Mayor Tally McColl gave some closing remarks. The ribbon was then cut with the community standing behind the officials.
PHOTO GALLERY
Photos by Betsy Finklea/The Dillon County News, LLC
