The Spring Water Festival scheduled for May 1 & 2, 2026 is being postponed due to the forecast of rain on Saturday. Organizers plan to reschedule to festival for August 21 & 22, 2026
Reedy River String Band, AU’s Blacktop Run,
Mill Town Shoals and more to perform
Organizers of the 45th Annual Spring Water Festival announced this week that the Reedy River String Band will headline the festival on Friday, May 1. Blacktop Run, Anderson University’s Country Band, will headline entertainment on Saturday, May 2. Also performing at the two day festival will be Mill Town Shoals, Justin Clyde Williams, Jack Greer and Zac Kellum.
The Reedy River String Band is an energetic “newgrass” trio from Greenville that has rapidly ascended from local music veterans to international performers. Formed in November 2021, the group includes Sterling Waite, who anchors the sound with fiddle, mandolin, and harmonica; Rush Morgan on acoustic guitar; and Mark Dye on upright bass. All three members serve as songwriters and lead singers, creating a rich, three-part harmony that defines their foot-stomping, progressive take on Appalachian roots music. The band’s sound blends traditional bluegrass foundations with elements of rock ‘n’ roll and jam-band improvisation.
By 2025, the Reedy River String Band had established a presence far beyond the American Southeast, having completed two successful European tours. Their festival resume is extensive, featuring appearances at the Earl Scruggs Music Festival, MerleFest, and the Bristol Rhythm & Roots Reunion. This year the band is scheduled for a third European tour in June, including a headline spot at the Westport Folk & Bluegrass Festival in Ireland, and a series of performances across Colorado in October.
Their debut self-titled EP, released in 2022, introduced audiences to their signature mix of tight instrumentation and Southern humor, highlighted by fan favorites like “Up On Blocks.” In 2025, they expanded their catalog with their first full-length album, Woodland Drifters, which features 14 tracks including 13 originals and a unique bluegrass rendition of Pink Floyd’s “Comfortably Numb.”
Entertainment on Friday will kickoff with Mill Town Shoals, a new band featuring Williamston’s own Brandi Colt and Andrew Crawford returning to the Amphitheater stage with a new band and a whole new level of energy.
Many will remember them as a duo showcasing their harmonies and songwriting at the Springwater Festival and other area events including Fall for Greenville. Since then, they’ve taken that sound well beyond the Upstate, earning invitations to play Nashville’s Bluebird Cafe, landing on the Bluegrass and Roots Music Report charts, and receiving airplay on XM Radio.
With Mill Town Shoals they’re joined by standout players Jaime Carter on upright bass, whose steady, driving groove anchors the band, and Adam Bachman on dobro, adding a rich, expressive layer that gives the sound its depth and soul.
Together, they bring a fuller, more driving blend of country, Americana, and bluegrass, a sound perfect for the Spring Water Festival stage! Mill Town Shoals will kick off the music for the Springwater Festival at 6 p.m. on May 1.
Also performing May 1 will be songwriter Justin Clyde Williams.
Armed with a flattop or backed by a full band, Justin Clyde Williams takes listeners on an emotional journey with his songs and stories you can relate to no matter where you call home.
Capturing the full spectrum of life, the good times and bad, most of his songs serve as a soundtrack to his own experiences with love, death, heartache and that one time he “ate a little bit too much of that gummy bear”.
Raised on sounds between bluegrass and rock ‘n roll with a variety of influences, when he’s not performing by himself, it’s not uncommon to see Clyde playing sideman for one of his buddies or appearing with Tyler Hatley in The Dick and Tammy Show.
Black Top Run To Perform On May 2
Anderson University’s Country Band Blacktop Run will take the stage at 1:30 on Saturday to bring the 2026 Springwater Festival to a high-energy finish you won’t want to miss.
Straight out of the South Carolina School of the Arts at Anderson University, Blacktop Run is made up of some of the region’s most talented up and coming musicians…artists who are already turning heads across the Upstate. Known for their fresh take on country music, they blend classic roots with modern edge, delivering a sound that’s both authentic and electric.
These rising performers have already been featured alongside other standout AU acts and are quickly building a reputation for dynamic live shows and undeniable stage presence.
Jack Greer brings an American blues and roots sound and a presence that knows how to wake up a crowd. A member of the Nebraska Blues Hall of Fame, he brings years of grit, groove, and road-earned soul to every performance. His recordings, which can be found online, feature legendary harmonica player Charlie McCoy.
Jack will be kicking off the afternoon music on the final day of the festival, setting the tone with a sound that’s rich, authentic, and built on the backbone of American blues and roots tradition.
Easley native Zac Kellum brings a whiskey-soaked, soulful sound that hits hard and lingers long after the last note. With a voice full of grit and songs rooted in real life, he’s the kind of artist that pulls you in from the first line.
Kellum has taken that sound all over the country, sharing the stage with national acts like Ashland Craft, Trey Lewis, Ward Davis, and Little Texas, building a reputation as a performer who delivers every time he steps on stage.
The 45th Annual Spring Water Festival will be held in Williamston’s historic Mineral Spring Park May 1 and 2. Festival hours are 6 pm – 10 pm Friday and 9 am – 4 pm on Saturday,
This years festival will include the 5K Spring Water Run, auto show, firetruck rides and more. More than 75 vendors are expected. A variety of food vendors will be offering festival food and drinks.
The Spring Water Festival will have a FREE children’s fun zone with bounce/inflatables and the new playground area in Mineral Spring Park will be open!
There will also be a Pickleball Tournament and a new event, Disc Golf Tournament on Williamston’s new Disc Golf Course.
