The Town of Six Mile has dedicated its new pavilion in honor of Roy Stoddard, who served as Mayor for 12 years, from 2011 to 2023, and who spearheaded the project for the new downtown park.

The 2:15 p.m. ceremony was held on Tuesday, April 30, 2024 on Main Street at the former location of the Dillard House property. The pavilion will serve for several uses, including as the site of the Farmers Market (which is held every Tuesday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. and which opened for the season on April 30).

Current Mayor James Atkinson (who was elected last November and took office in December, succeeding Stoddard, who chose not to seek another term) began the ceremony by greeting everyone in attendance. “We want to welcome you here today for Six Mile’s celebration of the Stoddard Pavilion dedication and the 2024 market opening,” he said, before introducing John Gay, who gave the invocation.

Gay prayed that God would bless the pavilion and all who had a part in bringing it about for the community. “Help us to be good stewards of what you have allowed us to have. Grant us wisdom as we use this facility for this community. We give you all the glory and the power for what you are about to let happen in this place. We ask and we pray all these things in the name that is above all names, Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.”

After the Pledge of Allegiance, Atkinson welcomed Stoddard and his family, the speakers for the ceremony, town citizens, Town Clerk Rita Martin, and town council members (Mark Beckman, Beau Proffitt, and Judy Shaw).

Atkinson stated that, although Six Mile is a small town, with two square miles, about 400 homes, and about 1,000 residents in the town limits, Six Mile has had many accomplishments and there will be more to come, including the downtown park and park pavilion, expansion at Ponderosa Park, and a new Bryson Children’s Nature Walk (on a 63-acre site with plans for a one-and-a-half-mile walking trail, a children’s garden area, a children’s learning center, a boardwalk, and a pond overlook). “A lot is going on in Six Mile, no doubt,” he said. He noted the success of Ponderosa Park and the recreation facility with more than 300 participants. “Last year, we had a $550,000 budget,” he added. “Our high school had a football state championship last year, and has for several years, and has other recognitions. There are some really fine schools in this area. There is a lot going on.”

Six Mile has eight major events, he noted, and these include: the Six Mile Farmer’s Market (at the pavilion each Tuesday 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. from April 30 through the last Tuesday in September), the Issaqueena Festival (held the third Saturday in May, this year on May 18), the traditional Memorial Day ceremony (held each May 30), the Independence Day celebration held at Ponderosa Park (this year on July 6), the Community Trick or Treat on Main Street (on or near October 31), the Farmers Depot Christmas Market (held this year on November 30), an Old-Fashioned Christmas in downtown Six Mile (this year on Thursday, December 5 at 6 p.m.), and the annual Christmas Parade (held this year on Saturday, December 7 at 10:30 a.m.). “A lot is going on in the town,” said Atkinson.

He then introduced Bryan Lee, President of the Clemson Area Chamber of Commerce (which covers the four municipalities of Clemson, Central, Six Mile, and Pendleton). “I literally grew up in a town of this size,” said Lee. “Some of my fondest memories are the small town vibes. It is an honor to be here and represent the four municipalities that we represent at the Clemson Chamber,” he said, noting that some of the Chamber board members were also present for the special occasion. He stated that he appreciated being able to honor the wonderful town of Six Mile and its previous Mayor, Mr. Stoddard, and he congratulated Stoddard on his retirement.

Atkinson introduced Tim Brown, founder and Principal of Tim Brown Architecture (an architecture and design firm based in Six Mile) and Associate Professor of Architecture at Clemson University. “It’s a real honor to be here today,” said Brown, who noted that he had attended many dedications but said, “it’s rare that a building is driven by a single person who sees a project through from beginning to end.” He thanked Stoddard and said that everyone in Six Mile would owe Stoddard thanks for many years to come.

Atkinson then introduced Brent Chandler, CEO of Durham-Greene Construction Company, Inc., based in Easley. “We’re excited to be a part of this project,” said Chandler. “We worked with the community and Mr. Stoddard for awhile. We’re honored to be a part of it. It’s exciting to see what you have going on with the farmer’s market and many other activities. Hopefully, you’ll keep us in mind on future projects with the development on what you’ve got coming in the near future. Thank you.”

Atkinson introduced Kevin Shoemake, Vice President of Thomas and Hutton Engineering Company. “Mayor, I can’t thank you enough for the opportunity to work with you over these many years on the park and other aspects in the town and bringing this wonderful facility to fruition,” said Shoemake, who noted Stoddard’s hard work in bringing funding, including grants, for the project. “So, Mayor, thank you so much for what you have done for this facility, bringing it together, and what you have done for this town. Thank you.”

Atkinson then introduced Ellen Haynes, Six Mile’s Community Park Committee Chair. “Good afternoon,” she said. “Thank y’all for coming. We’re excited about this new facility. It starts the park project that we’re going to be working on for the next several years here in Six Mile. This is a great place to live. It’s a special community, and we have lots of great things. The start of the park here, with this pavilion, is going to increase recreation opportunities for visitors and residents alike. We look forward to additions, like an amphitheater, some children’s play areas, some other shelters for picnics, for family reunions, and birthday parties, and kind of making this a central location. We’ll be adding parking for downtown businesses to have somewhere to park and people to come and visit and shop, visit our restaurants and our businesses. We want to encourage some educational opportunities. Six Mile has a very rich Native American heritage, and we’re going to be incorporating some landscaping and native plants to support the Native American heritage and some of our wildlife area. So those will be some projects we’re looking forward to in the future. Thank you for coming.”

Atkinson introduced  Katie Rampey, Town Events Coordinator. “Thank you for being here today,” she told the crowd. “I’m really excited about having the farmer’s market here today. It starts at 4:00. Thank you, Roy, for your contributions. We’re going to also have a stage for the Issaqueena Festival and incorporate this into our Christmas parade. So, this is just a great addition to our town, and I’m glad to be a part of it.”