Photos and words by Sean Rayford

I first came to Finlay Park as a freshman at the University of South Carolina, finding my way on a BMX bike I bought from Cycle Center. Back when it was next to Salty’s.

On my back, in a blue courdaroy book bag, a cassette player with Bad Religion’s Stranger Thank Fiction dubbed onto Maxell normal bias. CDs skipped.

Also in the bag, a textbook from one of my classes. Probably, Discrete Mathematics with Applications or European Civilization from Ancient Times to the Mid-17th Century.

Math sucked. History could be fun.

I left Maryland for school in South Carolina because I hated the cold. Finlay Park became a place I could soak up the sun, in a state where the sky was a different shade of blue.

And so it was quite fitting, 28 years later, 75 degrees in mid November for another visit to to Finlay Park. This time for it’s grand reopening and the annual Jam Room Music Fest.

Also fitting, was running into Michael Egbert, walking around with a backpack full of free sandwiches. I received a PB&J Uncrustable.

If you’re curious, it was one of those insulated cooler bags and the jelly in my sandwich was still cold. It was one of the best sandwiches I’ve ever had.

JAM ROOM MUSIC FEST COVERAGE 2024

Jam Room Fest + New Finlay Park