The fifth annual AnMed Rhythm on the River festival returns to Powdersville’s Dolly Cooper Park on Saturday, May 2, with live music, food trucks, local arts-and-crafts vendors and more. The free, family-friendly festival showcases Powdersville’s picturesque recreation
destination on the Saluda River.
Despite the possibility of rain showers, organizers said the festival is still on.
“This is the only park on the Saluda River in the Upstate, and the festival gives us the
opportunity to show it off,” said Johnny Harvin, board member of Connect Powdersville,
the festival’s nonprofit organizer. “We love connecting with people and showing them a
great time in Powdersville.”
The day kicks off at 10 a.m. with an all-ages AnMed Rhythm on the River 5K and 1-Mile Fun Run along the scenic riverside course. The run, with timing services provided by Upstate Race Series, is open to all levels of runners, joggers and walkers, with prizes awarded in several age categories and for best river-themed costumes. Register at the link here.
This year’s festival also includes new opportunities for friendly competitions as the
Upstate Disc Golf Club hosts clinics and hole-in-one shootouts for prizes.
“The festival just keeps getting better and better,” Harvin said. “We’ve already become an
established — and beloved — tradition among families, music fans and entertainment
seekers across the region.”
Local, regional and national artists will perform bluegrass and Americana all day.
Performers include The Travelin’ McCourys, Steve Ray Ladson, Tobacco Road, Jackson
Truluck, and Buddha Libre.
“This is RHYTHM on the River festival, after all,” said Rusty Burns, Anderson County Administrator. “We’re thrilled to book artists who are playing major national festivals, so
we’re guaranteed an energetic and engaging day. That’s why we’re encouraging fans to
bring a blanket and stay with us all day.”
The KidsZone will offer children plenty to do at “Sal’s Sandlot,” named for Powdersville’s
new mascot, Saluda Sal, a spotted salamander and South Carolina’s official state
amphibian. The KidsZone will feature interactive and educational activities and hands-on
games and roving entertainment.
“The field games have always been a big hit with the kids, and we’re excited about
providing even more activities that will inspire families to enjoy the park, the river and the
great outdoors,” said Chrissy Harvin, a Connect Powdersville board member.
Local food trucks will offer everything from BBQ to brews throughout the festival. “We’re in the South, so nobody’s leaving hungry,” Harvin joked.
More than 50 local artisans and craftspeople will be on hand to show and sell their
handmade wares.
Admission and parking are free and open to the public, but tickets are required. Register
for free tickets at the link here at etix.com.
“Rhythm on the River is all about celebrating Powdersville. We expect 5,000 to 7,000
people to join us for the big day,” Burns said. “Everyone with a ticket will also enjoy a
chance to win great prizes, like outdoor gear, a kayak, coolers and more.”
“This festival and its wonderful atmosphere provide unique opportunity to strengthen
community bonds and encourage healthy activity and fellowship, so it fits our health
system’s vision of working together for better health and a better life perfectly,” said
William Kenley, AnMed’s CEO. “We’re proud to sponsor an event that brings people
together to explore Dolly Cooper Park on the beautiful banks of the Saluda River. It’s hard
to beat a day there filled with music, food and fun for the entire family.”
For more information, including race registration, vendor opportunities and entertainment
updates, visit rythmontheriver.org and follow ROTRPVL on Instagram and Facebook.
Free Festival Tickets: https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/78785497/anmed-rhythm-on
theriver-2026-anderson-community-events
5K + 1 Mile Fun Run Presented by AnMed Registration:
https://runsignup.com/Race/SC/Greenville/RhythmOnTheRiver5k
Contact: Marty Elliott (864) 207-4000 marty@readyroomcollective.com
About The Travelin’ McCourys: From a source deep, abundant, and pure the river flows.
It’s there on the map, marking place and time. Yet, the river changes as it remains a
constant, carving away at the edges, making new pathways, gaining strength as it
progresses forward. The Travelin’ McCourys are that river.
The McCoury brothers—Ronnie (mandolin) and Rob (banjo)—were born into the bluegrass
tradition. Talk about a source abundant and pure: their father, Del, is among the most
influential and successful musicians in the history of the genre. Years on the road with Dad
in the Del McCoury Band honed their knife-edge chops and encouraged the duo to imagine
how traditional bluegrass could cut innovative pathways into 21st century music.
“If you put your mind, your skills, and your ability to it, I think you can make just about
anything work on bluegrass instruments,” says Ronnie. “That’s a really fun part of this—
figuring the new stuff out and surprising the audience.”
About Steve Ray Ladson: Steve Ray Ladson doesn’t blend genres—he commands them.
Born in South Carolina and forged in lived experience, Steve is the architect of Blackgrass
Brothercana, a fearless sound that collides Americana, country, blues, rock, and soul into
something raw, urgent, and unmistakably original. Anchored by gritty, commanding vocals
and banjo-driven fire, his music feels less like performance and more like testimony.
Raised singing in church, Steve learned early that music isn’t decoration—it’s truth,
discipline, and release.
That truth exploded onto the world stage when he appeared on America’s Got Talent—and
rewrote the rules. In a competition dominated by covers, Steve became one of the only
artists to advance through every round performing nothing but original music. No
shortcuts. No safety net. Just songs. His breakout anthem “Back of My Truck” didn’t just
win over millions—it surged to #1 in country music, turning a television moment into a
chart-topping statement.
About Tobacco Road: With a little central Texas spunk, old-school Louisiana blues, and
roots in North Carolina’s Piedmont, the past lives of Tobacco Road’s members blend into a
sound that moves seamlessly between beltable diary entries, Southern-rock storytelling,
and indie-rock groove. They draw from the nostalgia of Creedence Clearwater Revival, the
soul of Susan Tedeschi, and the dynamics of Fleetwood Mac, while taking cues from
modern role models like Maggie Rogers and The Marcus King Band.
In their first year as a band, Tobacco Road released their six-song debut EP All in Time and
shared the stage with rising contemporaries like Marlon Funaki, Winyah, and Liam St. John.
Tobacco Road’s quick development stems from a live show that’s both high-energy and
disarmingly intimate – despite the sweeping vocals and wailing solos, they make you feel
like part of the band, whether it’s your first or fiftieth show.
About Jackson Truluck: Jackson is an award-winning singer-songwriter from upstate
South Carolina whose natural talent and relentless drive set him apart. Rooted in small
town Southern life, he has carved his own path in Southern Rock and Blues music,
performing everywhere from the mountains to the coast of South Carolina and beyond.
With a soulful, unmistakable voice, Jackson delivers performances that can lift audiences
to their feet or move them to tears. His raw, authentic sound stands out in today’s
independent music scene, blending heartfelt storytelling with powerful vocal delivery.
Jackson’s music carries the influence of rock and blues while honoring the traditions of
Country and Americana greats. Armed with his guitar and a microphone, he pours
everything into each performance. Alongside his band, The Gravel Road Show, he brings
high-energy shows to stages across the Southeast, turning every weekend into an
unforgettable experience for fans. Get ready to raise your hands, stomp your feet, and lose
yourself for a night with Jackson Truluck & The Gravel Road Show.
About Buddha Libre: Buddha Libre-the embodiment of funky beats and zen vibes! An
irresistible fusion of groove-inducing rhythms and soulful melodies. Soak in the positive
energy and let the rhythm move you as you are taken on a sonic adventure that will elevate
your spirit!
Ty Olsen is featured on guitar and vocals. Ty has played in dozens of bands throughout his
music career ranging from jazz, blues, rock, and funk styles. He enjoys it best when
connecting with the audience and everyone is having a good time.
Title Sponsor: AnMed
Presenting Organization: Anderson County
Community Partner: Connect Powdersville
About AnMed: Founded in 1908, AnMed is an independent, not-for-profit health system
serving Upstate South Carolina and northeast Georgia. It is licensed for 648 beds and
anchored by AnMed Medical Center, a 495-bed acute-care hospital that’s earned the
prestigious Magnet designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center since
2012. Also included are a heart and vascular center, a comprehensive cancer center, a
maternity center, a behavioral health hospital, a rehabilitation hospital, and AnMed
Integrated Therapy and AnMed Urgent Care locations. The AnMed Piedmont campus and
its freestanding emergency department opened in 2025, and a new campus serving
Clemson and Central is under construction and scheduled to open in 2027. Nearly 60
physician practices are also among service sites spread throughout the region. The system
has 742 physicians on medical staff and more than 4,000 employees.
Guided by core values of compassion, innovation, integrity, accountability and
collaboration, AnMed was named one of the nation’s “Great Community Hospitals” by
Becker’s Hospital Review. It’s also been named among the nation’s 165 top places to work
in health care. It is one of three systems in the nation to earn the 2024 Carolyn Boone Lewis
Equity of Care Award from the American Hospital Association. Learn more at AnMed.org.
About MJ “Dolly” Cooper Park: Located at 170 Spearman Circle, Dolly Cooper Park is
owned and operated by Anderson County and is an anchor on the Saluda River Blue Trail.
Conceived by a consortium of public entities, private sector interests, advocates for the
physically challenged, environmental groups, and other stakeholders, the blue trail offers
enhanced water recreational and community access on the Saluda River. Along with its
sister sites in Belton, Pelzer, and Piedmont, Dolly Cooper Park promotes and preserves our
local natural resources through community outreach and involvement. The park serves as
the northern anchor of a 20-mile segment of the Blue Trail that ends at the Belton Saluda
River Access. In addition to the accessible river launch, Dolly Cooper boasts athletic fields,
a disc golf course, a new playground, and pickleball courts slated to open late spring.
Connect Powdersville is a 501(c)4 non-profit working to make Powdersville, SC a better
place to live, work, and play by supporting community-wide events and advocating for new
spaces to enrich its legacy for future generations.
