Lake Wylie bought dirt. Next up: a bonfire, more public events on the new public property

Like the current hit country song implores, people of Lake Wylie bought dirt. They aren’t taking long to use it, either.

On Saturday, there’s a community bonfire at Woodend Farm on Highway 557, near Oakridge Middle School. Bethel Volunteer Fire Department will build a bonfire and smaller fires to roast marshmallows. There will be a s’mores bar and hot chocolate, and hot dogs for sale.

The event is free but online registration is requested. By mid-Wednesday, about 250 people had signed up.

Bethel Lake Wylie Preservation Parks District purchased the 87-acre site for $4.3 million in mid-November, The Herald previously reported. The property, which had been owned by the Van Every family, associated with the Lance sandwich cracker company, had been vacant for about 10 years.

“This is our second event,” York County Councilwoman Allison Love said.

The community also was invited to hike the property in early December. Along with conservation, the property will be used for community gatherings and events.

“We want to be able to have events every couple months while we are working toward opening this great property for public use,” Love said on Facebook.

Love won her council seat in part on promises to protect some Lake Wylie properties from development. A step in that direction came two years ago when 68% of Lake Wylie residents voted in favor of a new land and park tax district. The vote began at tax capped at up to $20 per year for every $100,000 in home value. The park district has a five-member board.

About two weeks after the Woodend Farm purchase, the park district spent $1.4 million to purchase the 7-acre goat farm at 3972 Hands Mill Highway, near Bethelfields and King’s Grove subdivisions. Board members expect to use the property for a farmers market and community garden, among other possibilities.

Like the lyrics say in the song by country singers Jordan Davis and Luke Bryan, “You can’t buy happiness. But you can buy dirt.”

Want to go?

The Woodend Farm community bonfire is from 4:30-9 p.m. Jan. 29 at 5649 S.C. 557 in Lake Wylie.

S’mores are free. Bring chairs, blankets or a roast stick, or order one for a $5 donation to help with costs. Hot dogs will be for sale. Alcohol is prohibited.

There is parking on-site, with overflow at nearby Oakridge Middle School.

Register eventbrite.com.