Local musicians have volunteered to lift the spirits of Clinton - and to raise awareness of burned out businesses and the task of rebuilding - from the August 27 fire that destroyed central business core area of Musgrove Street.
“It’s amazing how our community pulls together in times of crisis. Many of the musicians reached out shortly after the fire, eager to do something to help,” said Jim Spry, President of Main Street Clinton. “This event is not just about music—it’s about neighbors coming together to restore what was lost and show our support for the businesses affected.” Spry updated the Clinton City Council on Sept. 9 about the upcoming Rock 4 the Blocl Music Festival on Sept. 22. The family-friendly festival will be from noon to 8:30 p.m., in a drop-in and out style, at The Depot. Food vendors will be on-site - donations will assist the burned-out businesses and will be appled to the on-going work of Uptown’s revitalization, organizers said.
Bring chairs, enjoy music, eat some food, and re-connect with Clinton, a city bouncing back from a devastating event.
Nearby, there will be food options available at The Pasture and Pops BBQ and Country Cookin’. Main Street Clinton is organizing the event and more information may be available on their social media sites.
This is the line-up for the musical acts:
Music Lineup:
12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. – Little River Redemption
1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. – Alex Eubanks Band
2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. – HWY 76
3:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. – Sweet Soul Band
4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Marvin Prince
5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. – Vance Kennedy & Barksdale Station
6:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – Tommy Lawson
7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. – Sounz Familiar
Main Street Clinton is working with the Laurens County Chamber of Commerce Foundation and Main Street South Carolina to be a collection point and clearinghouse for money donated to assist affected businesses, including filling in the wage gaps for displaced employees, if needed. They also will be involved in the longer term work of clearing the debris and deciding what can be built-back in the “gap” caused by the fire, which remains under investigation (foul play is not suspected).
Spry told the City Council, “We are working as the organization designated as managers of relief funds. We are in the information gathering stage; I have met with all business owners and property owners to determine the immediate needs, and we will have ollowup meetings - to learn what insurance is doing and what leads are out there for employees. Also, what is the longer term, the cleanup and the future; we will have information for the board to make sure funds are put to good use.”
This is the Main Street Clinton on-line location for donations info:
www.mainstreetclinton.org/support
Jim Spry is doublly affected by the tragedy - not only is he the Main Street director, but he and his wife MaryBeth owned Aspin & Figs, an artisan market, in a building destroyed by the fire. Their post-fire Facebook announcement said:
It’s with a heavy heart I share with you that our building was part of the fire last night in downtown Clinton. I cannot express enough our appreciation for the love we feel from our little community. It has literally been pouring out support and prayers since the moment the community knew there was a fire. Please support and pray for all the artists and artisans that made one-of-a-kind pieces that were in Aspen & Figs. I am heartbroken for them, knowing the work, effort, love, labor, and creativity they put into their pieces - often in the after hours from another job. In the coming days I hope to post about them and their Facebook and Instagram pages so you can follow and still support them. We are trusting in God as our refuge and strength in a new way this morning. Our prayers are also for the firefighters that were injured and the other businesses in downtown. We also want to thank ALL the many many firefighters and fire stations that worked alongside ours here in Clinton. #ClintonStrong
“We appreciate everything you are doing, being a victim of the fire and with Main Street, as well,” said Clinton Mayor Randy Randall. “You are doing yeoman’s work.”
