Boat to DriftJam for a free floating concert

Grab your boat – or a friend with a boat – and head out onto Lake Murray for a free, floating concert.

For the past three years, the DriftJam Flotilla Music Festival has set up a floating stage, speakers and a huge LED screen just off Spence Island on Lake Murray for a day of fun, sun and music.

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When festival organizer Doug Gainey started DriftJam in 2013, he thought he would just arrange a small get-together with friends and a band. Now DriftJam is a full-blown production with five bands and around 5,000 attendees.

“It’s been a hell of an experience,” Gainey said.

DriftJam begins at noon Saturday, June 11. Music will be provided by Ellis Melillo, Kelly Cheats, Finnegan Bell, Kenny George Band and headliner Villa*Nova.

The festival is free. Money from sponsorships and donations covers the cost of the event, and half goes to charity, Gainey said. This year’s charity is Hidden Wounds, a Columbia nonprofit that supports military personnel suffering from combat stress injuries such as post-traumatic stress disorder. Donations can be made at a GoFundMe page, gofundme.com/driftjam.

“As big as DriftJam has become, I try to tie a charity into everything I do. If I can throw a good event and benefit local charities, then why not?” Gainey said.

If you plan to attend, bring anything you’d normally bring to spend a day on the lake, Gainey advised. That includes sunscreen, food, water and drink. And don’t forget an anchor and bumpers to tie up next to other boats.

“Keep your radios and stereos off,” Gainey added, so that everyone can enjoy the music being played.

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2016 lineup

Ellis Melillo: singer-songwriter

Kelly Cheats: Southern rock/reggae

Finnegan Bell: Americana pop

Kenny George Band: Blend of Southern rock, country and folk.

Villa*Nova: alternative rock with some pop thrown in