By Alisha Tuttle
On a rare South Carolina snow day, residents from Pelzer, West Pelzer, and Williamston gathered on a familiar slope between Palmetto Elementary and Palmetto High School — a place locals simply call “The Hill.”
What unfolded there was more than sledding.
Children and adults alike raced downhill, many had sleds, others using whatever they could find — inflatable air mattresses, trash can lids, storage totes, and other creative substitutes. Snow is a rarity in the Upstate, and the improvised sleds reflected both the novelty of the moment and the eagerness of the community to make the most of it.
Laughter carried across the hill as families watched from the sidelines, neighbors talked at the top and bottom of the slope, and town lines faded into the background. For a few hours, The Hill became shared space — a place where three communities gathered simply to enjoy the day together.
(L-R) Burgess, Sanders, Smithwick
The sense of fun extended to local leadership as well, when Pelzer Mayor Chase Smithwick, West Pelzer Mayor Rick Sanders, and Williamston Mayor Rockey Burgess took part in a friendly sledding competition of their own. Burgess reached the bottom first, drawing cheers from onlookers, while Smithwick was quick to help him up. Sanders didn’t quite make it all the way down, but the moment drew laughter and applause from the crowd, underscoring the relaxed, neighborly spirit of the day.
The morning also included a time of devotion and fellowship led by local leaders. Pelzer Mayor Chase Smithwick, West Pelzer Mayor Rick Sanders, and Williamston Mayor Rockey Burgess each participated, helping guide the gathering alongside community members. Prayer was led by Chris Alexander, and hymns were led by Sam Byler.
Smithwick and Sanders are both newly elected mayors, and the gathering reflected a broader spirit of cooperation among area leadership. Williamston Mayor Burgess emphasized the importance of moments like these, particularly for children who may not yet realize they are forming memories that will shape how they one day define “home.”
The event was organized by State Representative Blake Sanders, who previously served as mayor of West Pelzer. The focus, he noted, was simple — bringing neighbors together through faith, fellowship, and shared community.
Support for the gathering came from across the area. Mayor Rick Sanders provided hot dogs for attendees, while LolliPop’s Sweets & Eats supplied coffee and hot chocolate. Daniel and Taylor Fowler contributed tables, fixings, and heaters to help keep everyone comfortable. Eva Higgins Photography documented the day, capturing images of sleds racing downhill and families gathered across The Hill.
As families began to head home, the day stood as a reminder that meaningful community moments don’t require elaborate planning. Sometimes, they happen when neighbors meet on familiar ground and choose to share the moment.
On The Hill, three towns came together — not as separate communities, but as one.
Snow Day Devotion Service – (Photo by Nicole Higgins – Eva Higgins Photography)
