Maybe you missed it in the midst of all the festival excitement, but a miraculous event occurred here in Hampton County on Saturday.
Maybe it was just for one day, but from Both Sides of the Swamp Hampton County came together as a community of one.
Maybe it was a one-time fluke, but folks from every town and community in the glorious Watermelon Capital of the World came together with the sole purpose of showcasing Hampton County, its youth, its athletes, and its traditions during the televised Watermelon Festival parade.
Maybe they came to represent their isolated corners of the county, to stand tall as members of a single town or community or neighborhood, or maybe they came to say "Hey, we are all citizens of Hampton County!"
Maybe those floats and cars and trucks from Estill and Gifford and Furman were a sign that folks over there are no longer feeling like this is Hampton's festival, but a festival for all in the county to enjoy.
Maybe those folks will be back next year. I hope so.
Maybe the efforts of the all-volunteer Watermelon Festival Committee to engage and attract people from all walks of life, from every corner of the county, are finally paying off.
Maybe the Little Gators and the Little Devils, not so little when they stand together, are a sign of something greater to come.
Maybe this year's theme, Honoring Athletics and Recreation in Hampton County, meant so much to so many that people just couldn't help but ignore their perceived differences and take part in this celebration of youth and athletic achievement.
Maybe it's time we as a county celebrate the efforts of role models like Linda Gordon and Steve Kemmerlin and Cecil Jenkins, no matter what team we pull for, no matter where we live or what school we send our children to, no matter what color we find on our skin.
Maybe this is just the beginning. I hope so.
Or maybe, just maybe, that ole Swamp ain't so wide, after all.
Honoring Athletics and Recreation
This county-wide solidarity need not come to an end. In November, each of us in this county will have the opportunity to vote on a county-wide referendum that will impact us, our children, and our grandchildren.
Yes, on the November ballot you will be asked to support the renewal of a one-cent sales tax like the one that built the new Hampton County Courthouse, but before you vote for it you can also help direct our leaders on how to spend that penny.
Attend County Council meetings, or call our councilmen, and let them know that a centrally-located, easily accessible county recreation complex is every bit as important as economic development and infrastructure.
Honoring Athletics and Recreation is more than just the theme of a festival, and it's more than just some kids playing ball and having fun.
It's about keeping kids off the street, it's about giving rural children - our children - access to role models and life lessons and teaching them pride in our community and how to work together, no matter what hometown you hail from.
Imagine a day when Hampton kids, and Estill kids, and Yemassee kids, can more easily come together on a field of dreams funded by county taxpayers.
If we can come together on a baseball diamond or on a soccer field, imagine what we can accomplish if we come together as a county. Imagine those same kids working together as adults, to transcend race and background, to continue the ongoing work of making Hampton County a better place to live.
If we improve the quality of life here in Hampton County maybe more good things will come, like economic development and better infrastructure and jobs and a reason for our young people to stay here and raise their children here and keep our county alive and growing.
So, when summer is gone and the festival is long forgotten, don't forget to honor athletics and recreation in Council chambers, in your community meetings, and on your November ballot.
And in the meantime, let's play some ball with our kids, shall we?