Mount Pleasant Magazine Fall 2011

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Mount Pleasant’s contemporary
landmark, the Arthur Ravenel Jr.
Bridge, is a great source of pride.
Many of the town’s events take
place in its shadow.
Billy
Swails
The Swails family in 2009 . Left to right: daughter
Michelle Austin, Rhett Austin, Maryn Austin,
Peggy Swails, Billy holding Ivy Austin, Brooke Swails,
Cameron Swails, Tracy Swails and son Billy Swails.
The town’s
farmers’ market
has gained fame
as a weekly ex-
travaganza from April through Oc-
tober; it is held each Tuesday from
3:30 p.m. until dark at the Mount
Pleasant Farmers Market Pavilion
on Coleman Boulevard. April also
heralds the summer-long Shaggin’
on the Cooper dance parties on
Saturday nights, family-oriented
Splash Days, Movies at the Mount
Pleasant Pier and Party in the Park
free concerts, all taking place at
the beautiful facilities of the new
Memorial Waterfront Park.
And, of course, there’s the
Cooper River Bridge Run, which
begins in Mount Pleasant, ends in
Charleston and draws more than
40,000 runners from around the
world. Marking its 35th year with
the April 2012 event, the run is a
unique opportunity to showcase
Mount Pleasant’s attractions, from
picturesque Shem Creek to Patriots
Point Naval & Maritime Museum
to Memorial Waterfront Park.
Under the leadership of Billy
Swails, the town of Mount Pleasant,
though it treasures its small-town
“The town is
moving forward.
It’s not backing up.”
past, also savors what is to come and
is solidifying its infrastructure and
road system, building a bridge to
what is certain to be a bright future.
“The town is moving forward,”
the mayor commented. “It’s not
backing up.”
Courtesy of the Swails family