The Lakeside Music Room, which is actually the shelter at the boat dock, hosted the first in a series of summer concerts last Friday at sunset. The crowd enjoyed a relaxed atmosphere with plenty of music and conversation.

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Park rangers help visitors prepare for their excursion across Lake Juniper.

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The only thing missing from "the beach" this weekend were the waves.

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Although students were not allowed to swim during their field day trip to the park Friday, they found plenty to do.

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Students from Cheraw Intermediate School enjoyed their field day at Cheraw State Park Friday.

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Local residents, such as Mr. and Mrs. Frank Baker, seated, said they were happy to see so much going on at the park again; "like it used to be."

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Approximately 250 people showed up with lawn chairs and friends to enjoy the concert with musician Dylan Sneed.

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While music filled the air Friday evening, these young ladies were more interested in watching the minnows dart through the edge of the water.

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Some of the more serious swimmers were happy to swim laps along the outer edge of the ropes.

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Smiles were plentiful as young people ran to and from the edge of the water for the first time in more than a decade.

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Sand buckets and all, nothing beats the heat or makes for better memories than sitting in the edge of the water with little ones.

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Cheraw State Park was a flurry of activity over the Memorial Day weekend.

There were swimmers at “the beach” for the first time in 10 years, there were campers at every site, there were people in kayaks and canoes, there were bus loads of school children on field trips, family reunions, picnics and a lakeside concert that saw more than 250 people in attendance.

According to Mark Davies, park manager, “There has been an average of 75 to 100 people in the swimming area every day since it opened last Friday.”

“We are extremely pleased,” said Davies, adding there is still a lot of work to do.

In order to bring the swimming area back up to par, park rangers recently hauled in 192 tons of sand to the beach area, creating a fresh look, along with a roped off area in the water. The deepest water available for swimming is just under five feet. There is no lifeguard on duty and swimming is “at your own risk.”

Swimmers can enjoy the water anytime between the hours of 7 a.m. and 8 p.m., any day of the week, absolutely free of charge. Many local residents, who grew up swimming at the park, returned to bring their children or grandchildren.

Some visitors this weekend came from as far away as Pennsylvania. One visitor, Berthalette Alan, originally from Canada, described the park as “a lovely place.” He and his family, now residents of Pine Hurst, N.C., spent the weekend camping, boating, swimming and hiking.

When asked about the state park’s swimming area, he said, “I can’t imagine coming out here and not jumping in the water. It’s great!”

— Staff Writer Karen Kissiah can be reached by calling 843-537-5261, ext. 224, or by email at kkissiah@heartlandpublications.com.