First Blues Bash brings crowds to Lake City

LAKE CITY — Folks from all over headed to Lake City on Thursday night for the first concert of the inaugural Pee Dee Blues Bash.

Organizers expected crowds from across Florence County to attend the free event, and the musical act came all the way from Philadelphia.

“We were lucky enough to be included in this and be the kickoff, because we’re bringing people to Lake City who’ve never been here before,” said Rita Smith, director of the Greater Lake City Chamber of Commerce.

The Deb Callahan Band performed from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the National Bean Market Museum, in downtown Lake City. The festival is scheduled to have 14 acts playing at 11 locations from Thursday through Sunday.

It is also a new highlight of Florence’s Pecan Festival, which will take place Saturday.

Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce President Tom Marschel said he often discusses upcoming events with Smith and thought having a Lake City concert would be a good chance to show off the ongoing renovations to the museum.

Museum Director Briley Altman said the event was a nice chance for people to see the progress of the renovations as well as “Lake City’s true hospitality.”

“Who would have ever thought we’d have had this opportunity as part of a regional festival?” he said.

Pee Dee Blues Bash organizer Gary Erwin of Charleston said he is originally from Chicago. He told the crowd that before this event, he didn’t know anything about Lake City or Florence, which he called a “colorful and fascinating part of South Carolina.”

“I love Lake City,” he said. “What a cool town. What they’re doing here with the Bean Market Museum is really interesting.”

Marschel said organizers are considering having a daytime event next year in addition to the evening concert in Lake City, with one performance inside the museum and another out in the Town Square.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
For a schedule of this weekend’s Pee Dee Blues Bash events, visit http://www.peedeebluesbash.com.