Freedom Weekend Aloft

Navy’s Largest Touring Group to Perform at Greenville Hospital System’s Freedom Weekend Aloft

(Performance Artist, free admission, BI-LO’s big, big birthday cake, fireworks, additional concerts)

GREENVILLE, S.C. – Organizers announced that The Palmetto Bank will be the presenting sponsor of Memorial Day’s amphitheater concert series on Monday, May 30th. The non-stop concerts will culminate with the headlining patriotic performance by the largest of all the touring Naval bands as the 60 member US Naval Fleet Forces Band performs. Additional bands will include Upstate icon Mac Arnold and Plate Full of Blues, the US Naval’s Rock Band, Four Star Edition and many more. Sam Erwin, The Palmetto Bank CEO stated, “we wanted Palmetto Bank to be a partner in this effort as there is nothing we consider as more important or appropriate on Memorial Day than bringing people together to recognize, remember, honor and celebrate all those brave and selfless men and women who served us in the past and those who continue serving us today”.

Organizers announced that the upcoming event is able to boast of a “first ever” as The Palmetto Bank and The Community Journals present the performance art of Greenville Artist Jared Emerson. Emerson has become known for his performance art and on Sunday, May 29th Emerson’s talent will be on display as he paints on a 6’ x 8’ canvas with the artwork’s focus being to capture the selfless service of our country’s military. Once completed plans are for the artwork to be auctioned with proceeds slated to benefit the Wounded Warriors program at Greenville Hospital System’s Roger C. Peace Rehabilitation Hospital.

Sam Erwin, CEO of The Palmetto Bank stated “we are proud to partner with Freedom Weekend Aloft as this is a premier and signature event for the Upstate. Anyone who has attended this festival in recent years understands that event organizers place an emphasis and make it top priority every year to insure that there is a diverse offering of quality and family friendly entertainment. At Palmetto Bank we not only want to conduct business in the community …we want to be a part of the community and be actively engaged in the community which we call home”.

Mayor Dennis Waldrop stated “on behalf of the thousand plus volunteers, sponsors, pilots and everyone who works to make this event a reality each year …we would like to welcome and thank Palmetto Bank for their invaluable contributions.”

BI-LO has actively partnered with FWA for over two decades and will continue in 2011 with a focus on making Memorial Day at FWA the very definition of a can’t miss celebration for families.
BI-LO is celebrating a milestone, their 50th Birthday at the event. Memorial Day will be BI-LO Day which translates into FREE ADMISSION for all those attending. “BI-LO will be hosting a fun-filled, tasty and exciting 50th Birthday Party and we are all on the guest list”, Waldrop stated.

BI-LO will be baking what may become the largest Birthday Cake SC has ever seen. Details of the design are not being shared however attendees can see the completed cake on Monday, May 30th and better yet will be able to enjoy the cake as BI-LO will slice and share this tasty treat. Locating a source of 50 candles large enough to place on a cake of this size was becoming problematic so BI-LO decided to instead present an exciting and spectacular FIREWORKS FINALE for all to enjoy. "Freedom Weekend Aloft is a longstanding staple in the Upstate community and BI-LO is glad to have been a part of helping to make it happen for the last 20 years,” said BI-LO Vice President of Marketing and Advertising, Kip Faulhaber. “Saving our customers time and money without sacrificing the things they love like community involvement, convenience, quality and great customer service is what BI-LO is all about.”
The focus on tasty will continue as BI-LO will continue the Memorial Day Grill Off competition as individuals from across SC vie to be the crowned Champion Grillmaster. This year’s competition will expand as there will be three categories including Certified Angus Beef, Chicken and Pork. “Free admission, special amusement ride offerings, hot-air balloons, fireworks and literally the icing on the cake…what a great and fun day and we have BI-LO to thank”, Waldrop said.

Additional Concerts were released with organizers announcing that contemporary Christian Artist Aaron Keys will be performing on Sunday, May 29 at 1:30 PM and will be presented by First Baptist Simpsonville.
It was also announced that Benton Blount, Parrots of the Caribbean (a Jimmy Buffett Tribute Band), Retrovertigo and Steven Waddell Band will perform. Previously announced concerts include Gin Blossoms, Joe Nichols, Tonic, The Wailers, Corey Smith, Steel Magnolia and Walker Hayes.

The 2011 event will continue an all inclusive general admission policy, which includes ALL the amphitheater concerts, viewing of hot air balloon ascensions, disc dogs, Family Fun Zone and more. Children 12 and under are free. Tickets are available at all BI-LO locations and can be purchased for $7.50 through May 26. For more information, visit freedomweekend.org.