The annual Wells Fargo Red, White and Blue festival, which features one of the state’s largest fireworks displays, continues to be the premiere July 4th event in the Upstate, making downtown Greenville the celebration destination for more than 50,000 festival-goers. Named a Top 20 Event in the Southeast, the free event scheduled for Tuesday, July 4 from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. will feature a full evening of entertainment, including live music on two stages, a Kid’s Area and a variety of popular food and beverage vendors.
As part of this year’s festival, Wells Fargo will honor Sgt. Levi Osburn, a local military veteran, with the Wells Fargo Military Hero Award. Sgt. Osburn served as a combat medic in the U.S. Army, and over the course of his military career, was deployed to Iraq and Europe. While in Italy, Sgt. Osburn provided medical aid to over 35 paratroopers, was appointed to write the medical treatment plan for all of Europe’s Airborne Operations and oversaw the medical clinic for the 173rd Airborne Brigade. During his service, Sgt. Osburn survived a serious fall, which resulted in several injuries to his back and ultimately ended his military career. Currently, Sgt. Osburn is pursuing his bachelor’s degree in nursing from USC Upstate and will graduate next year. Wells Fargo will honor Sgt. Osburn with the Wells Fargo Military Hero Award at the Peace Center Amphitheatre Stage at 6:15 p.m.
“We are pleased to continue our sponsorship of the Red, White and Blue festival as we celebrate the founding of our great nation,” said Wells Fargo Upstate Area President Justin Hawkins. “It helps demonstrate our ongoing commitment to building strong, vibrant communities and making a positive difference for everyone. One of the many ways we do that is through our dedication to serving and honoring military members, veterans and their families. This year, we are proud to honor one of our local veterans from Duncan, Retired Combat Medic Levi Osburn, who served in Iraq.”
Attendees will again be treated to a spectacular fireworks display synchronized to patriotic music and the event will be simulcast live from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. on radio station 92.5 WESC. The fireworks show will begin at 9:45 p.m. and the best viewing will be on Main Street from Court Street to Falls Park Drive. A full entertainment schedule is included below.
The City has worked to maximize public safety and to minimize traffic delays, both coming into the city and leaving the downtown area. To assist them in those efforts, festival-goers are urged to plan their routes into and out of the city and to park in a garage or lot located in the section of downtown closest to where they are coming from. For example, recommended parking locations for motorists entering downtown from HWY 123 would include the River Street and Poinsett garages; for motorists entering downtown from I-385, recommended parking locations would include the Church Street and Commons garages.
To aid residents and visitors who are planning to attend Wells Fargo Red, White and Blue, the Greenville Police Department has developed the attached map, which includes the festival site, downtown parking locations and planned traffic control patterns. A copy of the map can also be downloaded at http://events.greenvillesc.gov/RWB.
Additional event sponsors include Pepsi, iHeart Media and 92.5 WESC, WYFF 4, Budweiser of Greenville, The Greenville Journal, Professional Party Rentals, Penske Truck Rental and Signatures Apparel.
Event attendees are invited to come early and bring lawn chairs and blankets. Pets and coolers are not allowed at Wells Fargo Red, White and Blue. Additionally, tailgating in City parking garages is not permitted. Fireworks are not visible from the North Laurens, Richardson Street, Poinsett, River Street, Riverplace and Spring Street garages. For more information about the event, visit www.gvilleevents.com or follow the City on social media.
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Wells Fargo Red, White and Blue presented by AT&T
Schedule of Entertainment
Event Schedule
5 p.m. - Festival begins
6:15 p.m. - Presentation of Wells Fargo Military Hero Award at Peace Center Amphitheatre Stage
8 p.m. – 10 p.m. - Live broadcast of the event on WESC 92.5 FM. A Salute To America will give event-goers the opportunity to listen to a simulcast of the soundtrack live on the radio.
9:45 p.m. - Fireworks launch (best viewing is Main Street between Court Street and Falls Park Drive)
10 p.m. - Festival ends
Music Schedule
Pepsi Stage
Main Street at Falls Park Drive
5:15 p.m. – West End String Band
6:45 p.m. – South85
8:15 p.m. – Cody Webb
Peace Center Amphitheatre Stage
6:30 p.m. – 246 Army Band