West Columbia’s Fourth of July celebration will include safe distancing in the coronavirus age, along with some of the best barbeque,  and neighborhood fireworks.

Hite’s is the BBQ epicenter for July 4^th. It’s been at 240 Dreher Rd. in West Columbia more than 60 years.

“We’ll be real busy on the fourth,” said Brenda Hite. Her son agrees.

“We’ll barbeque six pigs and sell 150-to-200 10-pound hams,” said David Hite of Hite’s BBQ.

He said preparation begins for the big July 4th weekend early Thursday. The barbeque, cooked over oak and hickory wood only, is sold Friday and Saturday until it’s sold out. And it goes fast.

Brenda said the barbeque is all fresh. No leftovers are sold.

Hites BBQ is a family tradition with a process that has been in the family for decades.

John David Hite opened Hite’s BBQ in 1957. Brenda and husband Jerry Hite (John David’s son) worked in the business and bought it in 1968. Jerry died in 2019. His children, David, Angie and Jerry Jr. with Brenda, all run it now. “The children worked in it since they were young,” Brenda said.

Over the years the Hites have gotten to know a lot of people.

“We’ve seen three generations of families come in here,” said Brenda. David said it’s all he’s ever known and barbecue’s in his blood.

True BBQ

True BBQ has been tantalizing the taste buds at 1237 D Ave., West Columbia for 10 years.

“Fourth of July is one of our busiest days of the year,” said Milton Zanders.

True BBQ was established in 2010 by brothers Ernest and Milton Zanders. Their nephews Bryan Williams and Marcus Wilson work with them.

True BBQ is open from Wednesday until Saturday. It sells ribs, chopped BBQ, brisket, turkey wings and more.

Milton said his goal is to cook food that keeps the restaurant’s “door hinges moving.” And he does.

He also said True BBQ has a mission statement that highlights: great product; great service; great attitude; and a clean place.

“And we want our customers to smell the love, feel the love, taste the love and share the love,” Milton said.

Fireworks

About  $319 million a year is spent on fireworks in the United States. South Carolina spends about $18.9 million a year on fireworks, according to a report from Zippa. Most of the firework activity is on July 4.

Remember, the West Columbia’s City Ordinance allows for the discharging or shooting of fireworks on July 4th, Independence Day, between the hours of 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. only.

City officials ask residents to please refrain from discharging fireworks at any other time. The West Columbia Police Department’s non-emergency phone number is: 803-794-0721.

Enjoy the West Columbia Fourth of July and be sure to be safe.