CAMDEN, SC – The City of Camden is pleased to announce the hiring of Jenny Waller Parrish as the city’s first Director of Tourism, a newly created position designed to enhance Camden’s growing tourism industry and promote the city’s rich historical heritage.
Parrish brings over a decade of tourism experience to Camden, most recently serving as Executive Director of the Olde English District Tourism Commission since 2020. In that role, she created and executed comprehensive tourism promotion and integrated marketing plans, managed cooperative marketing projects with partner organizations, and worked to formulate sustainable visitor economy strategies. Her extensive background includes serving as Industry Relations Manager for the South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation & Tourism, where she managed the annual SC Governor’s Conference on Tourism & Travel, and as VP of Destination Services for Visit York County.
Parrish holds a Bachelor of Science in Parks, Recreation & Tourism Management from Clemson University with a Travel + Tourism concentration. She is a certified Tourism Marketing Professional (TMP) and is currently completing her Certified Destination Management Expert (CDME) certification through Destination’s International, expected to be completed in the fall of 2025.
The creation of this position reflects Camden’s commitment to developing and expanding its tourism sector, which plays a vital role in the local economy. The Director of Tourism will be responsible for developing comprehensive marketing strategies, coordinating with local businesses and attractions, and creating initiatives to attract visitors to Camden’s historic downtown, Revolutionary War sites, and equestrian events.
“I’m thrilled to bring my tourism education and experience to the City of Camden and help spotlight all that makes it special. There’s so much potential here, and I’m eager to help share Camden’s story with visitors near and far, said Parrish when asked her thoughts on accepting her new position.
“Camden has so much character and charm, and I’m excited to be part of the effort to elevate it as a travel destination. I’m passionate about showcasing special places, and I can’t wait to show the world what Camden has to offer.”
Camden City Manager Matt DeWitt expressed enthusiasm about the new hire and the position’s potential impact on the community.
“We are thrilled to welcome Jennifer Parrish as the new Tourism Director for the City of Camden. Jennifer brings a wealth of experience from her years leading the Olde English District, where she consistently demonstrated her passion for heritage tourism and regional collaboration. Her deep familiarity with Camden’s unique history, charm, and visitor experience makes her an ideal fit to take our tourism efforts to the next level. With Jennifer at the helm, we look forward to elevating Camden’s profile as a premier destination in South Carolina and beyond.”
The Director of Tourism position was established as part of Camden’s strategic plan to capitalize on its unique historical significance, including its role in the Revolutionary War and its designation as a key stop along South Carolina’s Historic Trail. The city is home to numerous attractions including the Revolutionary War Visitor Center at Camden, the National Steeplechase Museum, and hosts the annual Carolina Cup steeplechase race.
For more information about Camden’s tourism initiatives, contact Jenny Parrish at 803-432-2421 or visit www.experiencecamdensc.com.
The Camden Fire Department, joined by state and national dignitaries, held a ceremony marking the Cleveland School Fire’s 100th Anniversary on May 17, 2023. It was the deadliest school fire in American history at the time, and remains the deadliest in South Carolina history.
The Cleveland School fire occurred on the evening of May 17, 1923, while a school play was underway and a large crowd of students, teachers, family members and residents of the community were seated in the auditorium on the second floor of the rural school. Caused by an oil lamp that fell and ignited the stage, the crowd had to access a narrow, winding staircase to get down to the only exit out the front of the wooden structure.
The fire killed 77 people, including 41 children, and injured many others. The fire department was called, but due the rural location of the school, it arrived too late to save many of the victims. The fire had a devastating impact on the community, and it led to changes in school safety regulations. In the years since the fire, many schools have been built with multiple exits, and fire drills have become a regular part of school life.
Fire Chiefs from Camden and Kershaw County were joined by descendants of the victims of the tragic fire, along with Governor Henry McMaster, Senators Thomas McElveen and Penry Gustafson, SC State Fire Marshal Jonathan Jones, and National Fire Sprinkler Association President Shane Ray, and other dignitaries for a ceremony at the monument, followed by a service at Beulah United Methodist Church.
The Camden Police Department is proud to announce that it will be pursuing state accreditation through the South Carolina Law Enforcement Accreditation (SCLEA) program. The memorandum of understanding was submitted to SCLEA on May 8, 2023 to begin the process.
Interim Chief Darren Norris stated, “The Camden Police Department is dedicated to providing the highest level of service to our community. Pursuing accreditation through the SCLEA program is a significant step towards ensuring that our department is operating at the highest standards. It demonstrates our commitment to excellence in law enforcement and building trust and confidence with the community we serve.”
During the accreditation process, the department will be reviewing and ensuring compliance with the requirements set forth by the SCLEA standards. This will include implementing best practices, improving management practices, community engagement, and enhancing officer safety, among other important operational standards.
Accreditation provides numerous benefits for the department, including increased community trust and confidence, accountability, and a framework for continuous improvement. The department believes that pursuing accreditation is essential in maintaining and improving the quality of service provided to the community.
The Camden Police Department is excited to take this important step and looks forward to working with the SCLEA throughout the accreditation process.
The Camden Police Department has announced its increased focus on enforcing commercial truck route violations within the incorporated city limits of downtown Camden. Over the past 30 days, the department has stopped in excess of 200 trucks and issued warnings in an effort to curtail these violations. The bulk of these violations are occurring between Broad Street and York Street, as well as Broad Street and DeKalb.
According to Sergeant Carl Smith, who has been overseeing the traffic enforcement effort, “We take the safety of our community seriously, and that’s why we’re cracking down on commercial truck route violations. Our goal is to promote compliance with designated truck routes and traffic laws, to protect our city’s infrastructure and citizens.”
Additional signage and awareness efforts have also been put in place to prevent further violations. Effective Friday, May 19, 2023, officers will begin issuing citations for violations of § 71.16 TRUCK TRAFFIC. The ordinance outlines the routes designated for commercial trucks within downtown Camden, and the consequences for violating these routes.
The Camden Police Department urges all commercial truck drivers to adhere to the designated routes, as well as all traffic laws and regulations. Violators can face citations and fines, and continued violations could result in more severe consequences.
“Here in Camden, we understand that the hardworking truck drivers provide goods and equipment that are vital to our communities. However, we also have to ensure the safety of our citizens and enforce the laws that are in place to protect our city’s infrastructure. Our efforts to enforce commercial truck route violations are not meant to be punitive, but rather to promote safety and ensure compliance with traffic laws and designated routes,” stated Interim Chief Darren Norris.
