ANDERSON SC - RISING FROM THE ASHES OF CHANGE
By: Joey Stubblefield

Anderson, SC is a place of heritage, beauty and most importantly change.  For the past 10 years the town of Anderson has grown by leaps and bounds. We as a community have lost a few cherished programs and cultural events, but although change is sometimes consuming it is also revitalizing.

A yearly staple in Anderson's culture for many years was Freedom Weekend Aloft. A festival of hot air balloons and quality entertainment which recently moved to Simpsonville in 2007.  The city also lost their annual fair, which was a place of childhood memories past and present. Like so many other citizens of Anderson many are wondering what do we have now?

Well, the answer lies in what may soon be rising from the ashes of progress. As far as culture goes our two main attractions and year long "wait-fors" have moved on, yet the foundation has been laid (and has been being developed) if not in plain-view then in the formulations of elected officials.

Anderson is moving to a more social, upscale attitude. no longer will we remain in the shadows of our larger cousin, Greenville, SC.  Wheels set in motion a few years back has put Anderson on a fast track to development and new places and events to begin making memories. Our Civic center has long been host to gatherings of business and goodwill, and now with the dawn of the "New Electric City" we shall see our hard efforts come to fruition in the form of larger, more publicized concerts and business connecting events.

One of the biggest glimpses into what Anderson has in store for residents and new-comers is the downtown revitalization push of the last 3 to 4 years.  Cityscapes have been updated, condos have been built and new business have given the downtown area one last big "heave ho and all pull together".  Perhaps, finally what was once a deteriorating typical American downtown area that was left to crumble and people only went to to pay county taxes or traffic tickets will soon be anew and awash with vibrant bustle.