Lineup, location: Everything to know about West Columbia’s free music festival
West Columbia’s award-winning music festival is back this weekend, with two days of fun for the whole family.
The city is hosting the third annual Meeting Street Music Festival on Friday and Saturday, and it’s free.
A celebration of live music, food and community, the festival is hosting 11 bands, showcasing rock, pop, jazz, bluegrass and more.
Here’s everything you need to know.
Friday
The festival begins on Friday with a “Waterfront Warm-Up” from 6 p.m. until 8 p.m.
The West Columbia Riverwalk Amphitheater, located at 109 Alexander Road, will host Ryan Trotti, a country and rock artist from Charlotte. Intermission will see a performance from Columbia-based musician Mackenzie Kate, who is also a student at the University of South Carolina.
The event will feature two food trucks, Haute Dog Lady and Cousins Maine Lobster, plus beer and wine for purchase.
Chayz Lounge, located at 607 Meeting Street will host “Friday Evening Jazz.” Doors open at 5 p.m. and music begins at 7 p.m. Reservations are required.
Saturday
Meeting Street will be bustling Saturday, with events from 3 p.m. until 9 p.m.
The fest’s main stage is located at the intersection of Meeting Street and Charleston Highway.
Sugar Ray, an American rock band that gained popularity in the late 1990s and early 2000s, is headlining the festival and is set perform from 7:30 p.m. The band is known for hits like “Every Morning” and “When It’s Over,” and was featured in the 2002 live-action “Scooby-Doo” movie.
The main stage will also feature:
- Carolina Bluegrass Style at 3:00 p.m.
- Brittany Turnipseed at 4:30 p.m.
- The Ramblers at 6 p.m.
The Paul Mitchell Stage, located at 1008 Meeting Street, will feature:
- Hampton Hook at 3:00 p.m.
- Knights of Flannel at 4:45 p.m.
- Reggie Graves & Jazz Theory at 6:30 p.m.
The 9th & Meeting Stage, located at 9th and Meeting streets, will feature:
- Katie DeMartini at 3:15 p.m.
- Flatland Express Bluegrass Band at 5:00 p.m.
- Guardians of the Jukebox at 6:45 p.m.
Savage Craft Ale Works, located at 430 Center Street, will host the band Interstate Exiles from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m.
Following the festival, WECO Bottle & Biergarten will host an after party from 9 p.m. until 11 p.m.
Extras
The festival will also feature alcoholic drinks for purchase, free water stations and a pet zone. Food trucks scheduled to be in attendance include:
- Truly Scrumptious Creamery
- Soda Belles Drinks
- Brain Freeze Fair Desserts
- Greedy Rascals
- Kona Ice
- Tacos Oink Oink
- Salsarita’s
- Melt Grilled Cheese Co
- Carolina Cookin’
- Jones-Zee Concessions
- Lobster Dogs
- Wingz, Thingz, & More
Dance lessons, from shag to country two-step to social dancing, will happen in the Paper Pro parking lot. Attendees can also experiment with different instruments thanks to the Freeway Music Interactive Guitar Experience, and get feedback from local musicians and teachers. USC’s Wendy Valerio, a music professor, will also host a community drum circle at the Paul Mitchell stage.
The Meeting Street Artisan Market will also take place Saturday, where artists and creators sell one-of-a-kind pieces, from jewelry to candles.
The festival will also have a photo booth and a caricature artist.
Parking
The general public can park at several locations for free, including West Columbia City Hall, Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church, the Lexington 2 Fine Arts Building, Brookland Commons and Wentworth Printing. Parking for those who need an accessible option can be found behind the Paul Mitchell cosmetology school off of Meeting Street.
For those parking farther away, the city is offering free shuttles between 2:30 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. at the following locations near downtown:
- Brookland United Methodist Church
- Interactive Art Park
- Carraway Park
- River District Church
- The public parking garage on Court Avenue
For those taking rideshares, pick up and drop off zones are located at 908 Center Street and 210 Charleston Highway.
Questions?
For more details and updates, visit www.meetingstreetmusicfest.com or follow Meeting Street Music Fest on Facebook and Instagram.
