Spring Water Festival kicks off on Friday, Aug. 27, 2021

The 40th Annual Spring Water Festival will be held this Friday and Saturday, August 27 & 28 in Williamston’s Mineral Spring Park.

The two day festival will feature free kids activities, amusement rides, more than 50 vendors, antique and classic auto show, live music and other special attractions.

The festival will feature a variety of performers on the Park’s Center Stage and the Amphitheater Stage.

The 2021 Spring Water Festival will kick off on Friday evening with live music by Blue Sky Blues Band and the Carolina Coast Band.

The Carolina Coast Band features some of the Upstate’s most talented professional musicians. Included are Joey Werner, the band’s manager plays keyboards and is a lead vocalist having performed with many artists, including early stints as a drummer with the original members of the Swingin’ Medallions”. Frank Wilkie is bass guitarist and toured internationally with The Marshall Tucker Band, Rickey Godfrey Band, and Garfeel Ruff Band. Kym McKinnon is lead guitarist and lead vocalist and toured nationally with Nappy Brown. Big Tez Sherard is on drums and lead vocals and tours frequently with National Artist, Edwin McCain. Tez has worked with other artists such as Darius Rucker, and The Tams.
Alan Nowell is on saxes, woodwinds, and vocals. Rhonda McDaniel, Ten year CBMA Female Vocalist of the Year, and recording artist with several #1 Hits, adds talents of both vocals and keyboards to give the band a great shag and beach music show.
Rickey Godfrey of Nashville, TN, is on guitar, keyboards, and lead vocals. Rickey is an beach and blues artist and the recipient of many CBMA awards including a song of the year and male vocalist of the year. He took the Blues Artist award for the City of Nashville in 2018. Ron Davis will be on trumpet.

Ten special selected food vendors will offer a variety of delicious festival food items and specialties. Beer and wine will be available at this years festival.

On Saturday, activities will begin with an Opening Ceremony at 9:15 a.m. Music lovers are invited to bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy a day of music and other activities.

Slated to perform are Easton Gowan, Andrew Crawford, Marvin King Revue, Odyssey Band & Show and the Brooks Dixon Band. (See information and schedule below)

New this year will be a Golf Cart parade at 5 p.m. Carts will meet in the Town Square Center parking lot at 4:30 for staging. Carts will parade through downtown and West Main St. entering the park near the fire department and park near the Amphitheater Stage.

ABC Amusements will bring a variety of new rides. Wrist bands for unlimited rides will be sold Friday evening.

Alive Wesleyan Church will provide an expanded area of free children’s games and activities with a foam pit, golf course and games. Guthrie Grove Church will return with a puppet show, games and other activities for children.

Bob Seymore of Atlanta will bring the fantastic world of STATUARY back to Williamston depicting the town’s founder West Allen Williams.

Vendors from the Upstate and surrounding states will join local vendors to display and sell handmade items in the craft area while local and regional businesses and non-profits will provide information in the display section along the sidewalk.

The festival will again feature one of the Upstate’s largest antique and classic auto shows. There will be awards in a number of categories.

The Williamston Fire Department organizes the car show which features more than 100 vehicles and they will offer rides on the restored 1936 firetruck, a festival favorite.

Hours for the festival this year will be 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday followed by an After-Party from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Beer and wine will be available during the evening hours on both days of the festival.

Festival visitors are reminded to social distance.

Parking and admission is free. Additional details and entertainment schedules are included in a Special Program Tabloid in this week’s Journal and on the festival website at www.springwaterfestival.com.

 

Spring Water Festival 2021 Entertainment

Carolina Coast Band

Carolina Coast Band
The Carolina Coast Band originated in the Upstate of SC in 2013 and began building its nucleus in the Carolina Beach Music market by assembling a staff of regionally and nationally acclaimed musicians that, as individuals, has achieved many awards in the industry. 
The band delivers a combined 90 years of experience in Beach, Motown, R&B, and Oldies music to satisfy the demands of today’s party requests. Their popularity continues to grow as they span the East Coast of the US performing and promoting Carolina Beach Music, R&B, and Party Music. 
The band is a member of the Carolina Beach Music Association, (CBMA), and is current 2018 recipient of “The Rising Star” Award received at the CBMA Awards Ceremonies at Alabama Theater in North Myrtle Beach in November.
Joey Werner, the band’s manager plays keyboards and is a lead vocalist having performed with many artists, including early stints as a drummer with the original members of the Swingin’ Medallions” as well as many others throughout the years.
Frank Wilkie is bass guitarist and toured internationally with The Marshall Tucker Band, Rickey Godfrey Band, and Garfeel Ruff Band, where they landed in a movie.
Kym McKinnon is lead guitarist and lead vocalist and toured nationally for 15 years with Nappy Brown, famous blues artist.
Big Tez Sherard is on drums and lead vocals and tours frequently with National Artist, Edwin McCain, and has worked with other artists such as Darius Rucker, and The Tams.

Alan Nowell is on saxes, woodwinds, and vocals. He has toured with several bands including The Out-of-Towners Band. Ron Davis will be on Trumpet.

Rhonda McDaniel, Ten year CBMA Female Vocalist of the Year, and recording artist with several #1 Hits, joined the band in 2016 and has added her talents of both vocals and keyboards to give the band a great show of shag and beach music. 
Rickey Godfrey of Nashville, TN, joined the band in 2018 on guitar, keyboards, and lead vocals. Rickey is the recipient of many CBMA awards in the early 2000’s, including song of the year, and male vocalist of the year. Not to mention he took the Blues Artist award for the City of Nashville last year.
The Band travels the East Coast US from Myrtle Beach, Edisto Beach, Hilton Head Island in South Carolina, North Carolina, Washington, DC, Jacksonville, FL, Panama City, Florida, and Georgia, sharing their fun with their many fans throughout the east coast.
The Taxslayer Gator Bowl, a nationally televised New Year’s Day College Football Game in Jacksonville, Florida, featured The Carolina Coast Band for their 2014 New Year’s Eve Party during pre-game activities.
 
Contact Carolina Coast Band on Facebook or www.Carolinacoastband.com for your next event!!!

Blue Sky Blues Band

Blue Sky Blues Band
The Blue Sky Blues Band is a local blues/rock band from Piedmont that boasts some of the area’s top local talent. Featuring Ian Alerre on drums, Steve Myers on bass, and Adam Lindsley on guitar and vocals. They will perform a variety of classic blues and rock songs with a few originals mixed in.

Andrew Crawford and Brandi Colt

Crawford Colt
(Andrew Crawford – Brandi Colt)

Somewhere between the mountain sounds of Appalachia and the spirit of traditional country music, you’ll find Brandi Colt and Andrew Crawford. The duo began as two songwriters getting together playing song swaps and writers rounds, but with the realization of how well their individual sounds fit together and with so many requests for duo performances, the next natural step was to form an act, now tagged, “Crawford Colt”. Crawford Colt has already shared the stage, opening shows for established artists like Sunny Sweeney, Josh Morningstar, Clint Park, 49 Winchester, and Creed Fisher with upcoming performances this year supporting artists like Little Texas, Alex Williams, Billy Don Burns, Kayla Ray, and more!

They are currently writing and recording their first album together, but you can listen to their solo projects on all major streaming platforms.

 

Easton Gowan

Easton Gowan
Easton Gowan is a 19-year-old singer/songwriter/guitarist from Williamston, S.C., who has been playing a musical instrument since he was six years old. His passion for music led him to write his first original song, “My Bail” at the age of 16. He just recently recorded his original song at the legendary Capricorn Studio in Macon Georgia.
Gowan won Anderson County’s first-ever virtual singing competition that raised more than $40,000 for the United Way of Anderson County and will perform at Celebrate Anderson 2021 and on WSPA’s Your Carolina show
He was a featured singer in the concert, CLASSIC COUNTRY at MillTown Players for three shows recently where every show was sold out and is part of the NewSpring Fuse middle and high school band in Anderson, S.C.
Easton recently opened up for RCA Nashville recording artist Niko Moon at Mercer University in Macon Georgia.
He also is opening for Nashville recording artist John Michael Montgomery at Celebrate Anderson on Labor Day.

 

 

Marvin King Revue

Marvin King is a well-known blues guitarist from Upstate South Carolina. He has also played with gospel acts.
He plays his own music from his albums, ‘The Calling’ and ‘Huge In Europe,’ and includes some mini-tribute sets to Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughan set, and maybe a Rolling Stones set.
The Marvin King Revue is a three-piece band with Tommy Bryan on drums, John Brookshire on bass, and King. “I like a trio because you have to fill up that void,” he said. “All three forces have to come together to make it sound full because obviously you don’t have a keyboard or a rhythm guitar filling all those gaps.” We welcome Marving King back to the Spring Water Festival.

Marvin King

Odyssey Band And Show
Odyssey is a seasoned local Party band based out of Williamston. They perform many genres of music including Pop, Shag, R&B from the 70s to current. They have performed at many festivals in the Upstate including The Spring Water Festival. The Spring Water Festival welcomes them back to the Amphitheater Stage on Saturday night.

Odyssey

Brooks Dixon

Brooks Dixon Band

Brooks Dixon began performing his original music as a student at Clemson University first taking the stage in 2012. Dixon’s acoustic performances lead to the recording of his first EP, the independently released “Stone Pile” in 2014.

 

Upon graduation of college, Brooks returned to his hometown of Greenville, South Carolina, where he quickly gained momentum playing the local bars and coffee shops, drawing comparisons to Folk-Pop icons James Taylor and Ray LaMontange. After meeting fellow Greenville Singer-Songwriter Sara Middleton. The two teamed up with other Greenville players to form the group “Brooks Dixon & The Noble Sound”. Shortly after, they found themselves performing their unique soulful harmonies for thousands at Downtown Alive. Dixon set out to Nashville to record a second EP “Weather the Storm” in early 2016. In large part, due to the band, Dixon found his songs taking on a fuller more robust Americana tone.

“Weather the Storm” lead to new heights for Brooks and the band, as they found their way on stage at numerous regional festivals and clubs throughout the Southeast. Shortened in name and members, the “Brooks Dixon Band” found cohesion with a 5 piece group, Dixon on vocals and guitar, Giffin’s smooth harmonies and occasional lead vocals, Shane Byler on the Drums, Ross Krieg on the Saxophone, and Bennett Dixon on the bass. The group hit the studio in early 2017 and released their first band single “Good Intentions” a song featuring a more upbeat take on Dixon’s songwriting.

In early 2018, Dixon released “White Roses” a 5 song EP drenched in Americana style. Utilizing a talented group of Nashville musicians, it presents a softer, more rustic side of Dixon’s songwriting and was met with acclaim by such blogs as Saving Country Music, Adobe & Teardrops, Wave of Good Noise, and Sleep Music. Despite this change in style, the continued success of the funky-folky-rock band, and the addition of Jake Watson on bass, lead to the beginning of a new debut album from the Brooks Dixon Band, titled “Pocketful of Dreams”. Set to release in late 2019, this album presents a fun, upbeat style meant to capture the essence of the Brooks Dixon Band’s live performances.

Brooks Dixon Band

Festival Sponsors

In addition to the Town of Williamston, sponsors for the 2021 Spring Water Festival include Clinkscales Chevrolet, Golden Grove Farm and Brew and The Journal. Golden Grove Farm and Brew is located 115 Krim Rd., in Piedmont. Visit their website to find out what is being served from an ever-rotating tap selection and fresh food menu. They also offer live entertainment. https://farm&brew.com or call (864) 356-1097. Hours are Monday – Thursday: 5pm – 10pm; Friday; 3pm – 10pm and Saturday: 12pm – 10pm
Clinkscales Chevrolet is located at 6301 Us 76 in Belton.

SWF T-shirt design by Thomas Addison

The 2021 Spring Water Festival T-Shirt features the Town’s Historic 1936 Fire Truck along with the Spring House Gazebo and Mineral Spring Park sign. The design is by local artist Thomas Addison who has donated time and talent to the festival through the years. The shirt is also dedicated to the memory of Williamston Fire Chief Steve Ellison who passed away earlier this year. Other souvenirs available this year included a limited number of Spring Water Festival ballcaps and other items. Souvenirs will be available at the Spring Water Festival souvenir tent in the craft area of the festival. A limited supply of previous festival T-shirts will be available at special prices. Don’t leave the festival without your Spring Water Festival souvenir.

Spring Water Festival returns August 27 & 28, 2021

The 40th Annual Spring Water Festival will be held August 27 & 28 in Williamston’s Mineral Spring Park.
The event celebrates the founding of the town that was once a popular tourist destination, with the state’s largest hotel, drawing people from across the state to enjoy the benefits of a mineral spring which reportedly had medicinal qualities. The spring around which the town was built still flows, offering visitors a cool, refreshing drink of spring water in Mineral Spring Park, one of the oldest public parks in the country.

The two day festival, after taking a year off during COVID, will feature free kids activities, amusement rides, more than 70 business and craft vendors, antique and classic auto show, live music and other special attractions.

The festival features a variety of performers on the Park’s Center Stage and the Amphitheater Stage.

The 2021 Spring Water Festival will kick off on Friday evening with live music by Blue Sky Blues Band and the Carolina Coast Band. Ten special selected food vendors will offer a variety of delicious festival food items and specialties.

On Saturday, activities will begin with an Opening Ceremony at 9:15 a.m. Music lovers are invited to bring a lawn chair or blanket and enjoy a day of music and other activities.

Slated to perform are Easton Gowan, Andrew Crawford, Marvin King, Odyssey Band and Show and the Brooks Dixon Band.

New this year will be a Golf Cart parade. ABC Amusements will bring a variety of new rides. Alive Wesleyan Church will provide an expanded area of free children’s games and activities. Guthrie Grove Church will return with a puppet show, games and other activities for children.

Bob Seymore of Atlanta will bring the fantastic world of STATUARY back to Williamston depicting the town’s founder West Allen Williams.

Vendors from the Upstate and surrounding states will join local vendors to display and sell handmade items in the craft area while local and regional businesses and non-profits will provide information in the display section along the sidewalk.

The festival will again feature one of the Upstate’s largest antique and classic auto shows. There will be awards in a number of categories.

The Williamston Fire Department organizes the car show which features more than 100 vehicles and they will offer rides on the restored 1936 firetruck, a festival favorite.

Clinkscales Chevrolet in Belton is a sponsor of the car show.

Hours for the festival this year will be 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday followed by an After-Party from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Beer and wine will be available during the evening hours on both days of the festival.

The Spring Water Festival was organized in 1981 as a funding source for the town’s winter holiday attraction, the Christmas Park in December. Parking and admission is free. Additional details and entertainment schedules will be announced soon.

 

Spring Water Festival accepting vendor applications

Organizers of the 40th Annual Spring Water Festival are accepting vendor, display and car show applications for the two day festival August 27 & 28, 2021. Hours for the festival this year will be 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday with an afterparty from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday evening.
Any local craft vendor interested in participating in the event can pick up an application and guidelines at The Journal office or online at the Spring Water Festival website at 
The festival will again feature one of the Upstate’s largest antique and classic auto shows, being sponsored by the Williamston Fire Department. To register contact David Huff at 864-844-7107 or email wfdchief@williamstonsc.us. Also online at www.williamstonfire.com. There will be awards in a number of categories.
There will not be a 5K Spring Water Run this year.