SIX MILE — A new town policy banning candy from being thrown during the annual Christmas parade has led to the demotion of the fire chief and the firing of his assistant, sparking community backlash.

The dispute, which came to a head at a Sept. 9 town council meeting, pits Six Mile officials against firefighters and some residents who believe the punishment was an overreaction.

The rule, which was first introduced for the 2024 parade, allows candy to be handed out by walkers but not tossed from floats. The town’s mayor cited safety concerns and insurance requirements for the updated policy. The town noted an incident in Utah where an 8-year-old was killed trying to retrieve candy near a parade float tire in 2022.

At the council meeting, Fire Chief Michael Barrett and Assistant Fire Chief Kendall Rampey spoke against the ban, calling it a minor issue and a threat to a long-standing tradition. They warned the fire department would not participate in the parade if the candy rule was enforced.

In the days following the meeting, local reporting and social media posts claimed the firefighters were reported to Pickens County officials for their public opposition. Barrett was subsequently demoted, and Rampey was fired from his paid county position and removed as a volunteer.

While town officials claim their insurance provider would not cover the parade if candy was thrown, some residents on social media said they suspect the insurance issue is a pretext for the mayor to consolidate power.

The community’s response has been swift. Social media forums have been created for residents to organize and protest what they see as an abuse of power. Critics argue the controversy is not about candy but about the disciplinary action taken against the fire officials for speaking their minds.

On Sept. 18, Six Mile officials released the following statement:

“Injuries at parades have increased across the country and here in South Carolina. The combination of moving vehicles, noise, crowds of people, and excited children is made even more dangerous when candy thrown and children rush to grab it. For example, in 2022 in Utah, an 8-year-old girl was run over and killed when trying to grab candy off the tire of a float.

“Nothing is more important than the safety of our children. Think about the fact that, years ago, children often rode in the back of pickup trucks. However, following numerous accidents, our state made this practice illegal for children under 15, for their safety.

“The Town of Six Mile has a policy that was put in place last year, and updated this year, permitting candy to be handed out, but not thrown at the Christmas parade – for the safety of our children. Furthermore, if the Town allows candy to be thrown at our parade, the Town cannot obtain special event insurance for that parade. This means that, should a child or an adult be injured at the parade, whether as the result of candy throwing or any other incident, there would be no insurance coverage.

“Members of the County fire department came to the September 9, 2025, Town Council meeting, and expressed their intent that candy continue to be thrown, as reported in a local news article covering that meeting. In discussing their concerns afterwards with legal counsel, a potential alternative solution was raised. Since fire department members are County employees and would be operating County equipment in the parade, our attorney suggested that the Town determine whether the County’s insurance might cover their throwing of candy. The County Administrator advised that the County’s insurance has the same exclusion regarding the throwing of candy as the Town’s insurance.

“At no time did anyone from the Town demand or request that anyone from the County fire department be disciplined in any way, nor could anyone from the Town influence the exercise of the County’s supervisory authority over County employees in any way. In fact, no one from the Town had knowledge of or discussion about any actions by the County with respect to its employees, until reading various assertions on social media. The Town has fully supported and continues to support the work of all emergency service personnel, both currently and historically.

“The safety of our children, residents, and visitors is of paramount importance. If the risk posed by throwing candy during a parade is so great that the Town insurance company will not provide a quote for special event insurance for our parade, then we as citizens of Six Mile can continue the tradition of giving out candy to our children, but we must work together to do it in a safer way in accordance with the existing Town policy.”