Josh Turner to headline annual Soiree in downtown Anderson: Music schedule, parking info

Travis Jacque Rose, Anderson Independent Mail
Updated ·5 min read

Country music singer Josh Turner, who has sold more than six million records and reached 3.7 billion global streams, will headline this weekend's annual Soiree Festival.

The annual Soiree festival will be held in downtown Anderson from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on April 26 and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on April 27.

Anderson Community Events Manager Caroline Gaddis said that attendees will be able to enjoy live performances across multiple stages: the McCoy Wright Main Stage at Carolina Wren Park, the Papa Bear Car Wash Stage on South Main, the North Main Commons Stage at North Main, and South Carolina School of the Arts on Court House Square.

Who's performing at Soiree?

Country music star Doug McCormick, a native of Patrick, South Carolina, will perform on the Papa Bear Car Wash Stage on April 26 at 7 p.m.

McCormick's latest single, "Good Beers Left," is now available on all music platforms.

Doug McCormick, country music singer from Patrick, South Carolina, a 2008 graduate with a B.S. in Agricultural Education from Clemson University, opens for Josh Turner during Soirée 2024 in Anderson, S.C. Friday, April 26, 2024.
Doug McCormick, country music singer from Patrick, South Carolina, a 2008 graduate with a B.S. in Agricultural Education from Clemson University, opens for Josh Turner during Soirée 2024 in Anderson, S.C. Friday, April 26, 2024.

On the official Doug McCormick website, he expressed the significance of the legacy of country music to him.

“The legacy of country music is important to me because if I think of that legacy fizzling out, I mean, it breaks my heart," he said. "Country music has meant so much to me over the years, and the generations coming up deserve that same kind of quality music.”

McCormick posted an Instagram photo promoting his performance. "Anderson, South Carolina, I'm coming and looking forward to sharing the stage with Josh Turner and the crew," he said.

Josh Turner, a country music singer from Hannah, South Carolina, will perform on the Papa Bear Car Wash Stage at 7 p.m. on April 26.

Leila Petty of Pickens cheers as Josh Turner performs at the 2018 Celebrate Anderson at the Anderson Sports and Entertainment Complex in Anderson on Sunday, September 2.
Leila Petty of Pickens cheers as Josh Turner performs at the 2018 Celebrate Anderson at the Anderson Sports and Entertainment Complex in Anderson on Sunday, September 2.

According to Universal Music Group of Nashville, Turner has become a favorite and unforgettable hitmaker on country radio.

His most popular songs include Long Black Train, Why Don't We Just Dance? and Your Man.

Downtown Anderson's Instagram page shared a video of Turner expressing his excitement about headlining the show and inviting people to join him.

Various artists will also perform, including Dogday Blue Jay and Trenton Gilbert Country Band. Click here to view the Soiree Festival performance times.

Anderson Soiree in downtown Anderson SC in August 1988.
Anderson Soiree in downtown Anderson SC in August 1988.

Over 50 tents showcasing visual arts and crafts

According to Gaddis, the event will also feature a special children's area and a kid's kingdom, with creative activities for children to enjoy. "Over 50 tents showcasing a variety of visual arts and crafts, as well as a range of food vendors," Gaddis said.

The best artist will receive $2,000 in prize money. The Best of Show winner will be awarded $1,000, the Fine Artist runner-up will receive $400, the Artisan Runner-up will win $400, and the Best Booth winner will receive $250.

Matthew and Sarah Bradford, owners of Matty's Patty's, have been participating in the Soiree Festival since the City of Anderson brought it back three years ago. "This year, our truck will be parked at Carolina Wren Park, right behind the McCoy Wright stage," Matthew Bradford said.

Matty's Patty's Food Truck: Anderson South Carolina
Matty's Patty's Food Truck: Anderson South Carolina

Bradford said that festivals like the Soiree bring people from different backgrounds together. "The Soiree is unlike any event we participate in," Bradford said.

"The Soiree Committee has done a fantastic job bringing in artists and musicians from all around our area, including activities for the whole family," he said.

Matty's Patty's Food Truck: Anderson South Carolina
Matty's Patty's Food Truck: Anderson South Carolina

"As Anderson's Friendliest Burger, the Soiree is near and dear to our hearts," Bradford said.

Matty's Patty's will serve its signature Smashburger, with American cheese, grilled onions, and its No. 5 Burger Sauce, crispy shoestring fries, famous giant cookies, and various ice-cold drinks.

Soiree entertainment schedule

Friday, April 26

McCoy Wright Main Stage at Carolina Wren Park

4 p.m. -- LC Branch

6 p.m. -- Sincere Experience

Papa Bear Car Wash Stage on South Main

6:30 p.m. -- Doug McCormick

7:30 p.m. -- Josh Turner

North Main Commons at North Main

6 p.m. -- Dooday Bluejay

South Carolina School of the Arts on Courthouse Square

6 p.m. -- Trenton Gilbert Country Band

Saturday, April 27

McCoy Wright Main Stage at Carolina Wren Park

10 a.m. -- Southwood Academy of the Arts Choir & Step

10:30 a.m. --- Southwood Academy of the Arts High School Chamber Chorus

11 a.m. -- Calhoun Academy of the Arts Chorus

11:30 a.m. -- Southwood Academy of the Arts High School Orchestra

Noon -- New Prospect Elementary School Strings

12:30 p.m. -- TL Hanna High School Wearable Art

1 p.m. -- Nevitt Forest Step Team

1:30 p.m. -- Faith Center Dancers

2 p.m. -- Electric City Dance Arts

2:30 p.m. -- Flourish Creative Arts Studio

3 p.m. -- Steppin' Out Dance Studio

3:30 p.m. -- Starr Elementary School Chorus

4 p.m. -- Anderson School of Dance

4:30 p.m. -- Renzo Gracie Brazilian Jijiutsi

6 p.m. -- Those Guys

8 p.m. -- Chairmen of the Board

North Main Commons at North Main

Noon -- Hammock Theory

2:30 p.m. -- Soul Legit

5 p.m. -- Hoto Mozambique

7:30 p.m. -- Marvin King Revue

Papa Bear Car Wash Stage on South Main

10 a.m. -- Talbert Black

11 a.m. -- Sam Godfrey

Noon -- Tailgate Homeboys

1 p.m. -- According to Taste

2 p.m. -- The Newtime Travelers

3 p.m. -- Greenville Jazz Collective

4 p.m. -- Kyle Odetta

5 p.m. -- The JD Hunter Project

6:30 p.m. -- The Revolvers

8 p.m. -- Stone Echo

South Carolina School of the Arts on Courthouse Square

Noon -- AU Jazz Combo

1 p.m. -- AU Gold Road

2 p.m. -- AU Tim Blackwell Commercial Ensemble I

3 p.m. -- Friends of AU Band

4 p.m. -- AU Tim Blackwell Commercial Ensemble II

5 p.m. -- AU Faculty Jazz Ensemble

6 p.m. -- AU Greg Alewine Commercial Ensemble I

7 p.m. -- AU Authenticity

Where to park at Soiree

  • West Whitner Street Parking Garage

  • Anderson County Courthouse Lot

  • Blackley Station Parking Lot

  • Church Street Heritage Plaza Parking

  • Market Street Parking Garage

  • John Street Parking Lot

  • Generator Parking Lot

  • First Baptist Church North Lot

  • First Baptist Church South Lot

Attendees can view the parking map to view the locations of the designated parking areas for the Soiree Festival.

The map can help attendees find parking spaces and navigate their way to the event.

Travis Rose covers Anderson County for the Independent Mail. Reach him via email at trose@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Anderson Independent Mail: Two day Soiree fest in downtown Anderson, parking and music schedule