Downtown event draws larger crowds each year

Staff Writer

rseaborn@pickenssentinel.com

LIBERTY - After giving awarding prizes to aspiring singing stars, Liberty Idol received accolades itself this year.

Liberty's annual singing competition received the top achievement award in communications handed down by the state's Municipal Association last month in Charleston.

Although Liberty Mayor Brian Deese was on hand to receive the award, representatives of the Municipal Association attended Monday evening's meeting of council to present the honor to city officials, as well as to Liberty Idol organizer and director Roy Costner.

"This is something to be proud of in Liberty," said Chip Boyles with the Municipal Association. "It is a great example of innovation by Liberty."

With the ever-increasing numbers in attendance during the event's three-year stint, Boyles said Liberty Idol fulfilled the goals established by the association in creating successful events that improve the quality of life for local residents.

"Not only does Liberty shine in the category of communications, it shines in other categories as well," Boyles said.

Liberty Idol is an annual late spring and early summer event held in the city's business district that features talented local singers competing for the audience vote for top prizes of cash and the title.

Over 500 people attended the first night of Liberty Idol three years earlier, with over 4,500 fans filling the city's main street for the 2008 grand finale, proving the event's continuing and growing success, Boyles said. In addition, Liberty Idol attracted visitors to the city, with people coming in from various parts of North and South Carolina,

Georgia and Tennessee, he said.

This year's event also had people in the audience as far away as Texas.

Boyles said that the honor given Liberty also draws attention to the event, allowing other municipalities throughout the state to see the city's accomplishments and aspire to establish such community and family-oriented happenings within their own cities and towns.

One of the goals of the municipal association is to share the great ideas of various cities, such as Liberty, with other municipalities around the state, Boyles said.

Deese said that Liberty is honored and proud to be recognized for the efforts so many area residents contribute in making Liberty Idol as successful.