Celebrate Independence Day at Dillon Park Published June 29, 2006 By Senior Airman John Gordinier 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- This year’s Jammin’ July 4th is held at Dillon Park Tuesday from 5 to 11 p.m. It is absolutely free to get inside the park, and there is plenty of entertainment for the whole family, such as rides, games, food and live music, said Pat Curran, 20th Services Squadron director of marketing. Some of the rides include the Castle slide, Dragonfly swing, Orbitron and the helicopter ride for the children. The baseball fast pitch, dinothrow, fish darts and hoop toss are a few of the games that can be played during the event to win prizes. Coolers and pets are not allowed but if spectators get a little hungry they can purchase hamburgers, hotdogs, turkey legs or chicken and also cotton candy or snow cones for the children, said Mr. Curran. “This year’s live music band is Threshold (from Fort Mill, S.C.),” he said. The band plays 70’s, 80’s and 90’s hits music, along with Dance, Funk, Motown, Pop, Beach, Rhythm and Blues, Rock and Soul. Towards the end of the celebration, there will be a huge, beautiful fireworks show from 9:30 to 10 p.m., Mr. Curran said. “My family and I had a great time at last year’s Jammin’ July 4th,” said Eric Charlton, 20th Civil Engineer Squadron explosive ordnance disposal technician. “My wife enjoyed the fireworks show immensely.” “The Jammin’ July 4th last year was a huge success,” Mr. Curran. “In fact we only expected about 15,000 people to show up and about 35,000 did. I expect this year to be as big if not bigger since we were able to reduce the prices due to great support from local sponsors.” “Radio station 94.7 will be broadcasting the entire event,” he said. “They will even be broadcasting the same music we play during the fireworks show.” Last year we had some traffic jams but we believe we have a way to prevent it this year, Mr. Curran said. “A shuttle bus will be used to give people free rides to the park from the Belk store Sumter Mall area,” Mr. Curran said. “The bus has special access, so it will get you to Dillon Park and back to your car fairly quickly. I encourage people to do this otherwise they may end up in a traffic jam. The shuttle bus service starts at 5 p.m. and will return every 20 minutes after that.” “For people on Shaw, we have buses leaving at 5, 6 and 7 p.m. from the Carolina Skies Club and return times of 10 and 11 p.m.,” he said. “I encourage people to use the shuttle bus to prevent frustrating traffic jams,” said Col. Bill Hyatt, 20th Fighter Wing Commander. “Come out to Dillon Park for a great Sumter, Shaw Jammin’ July celebration.”