Finesse starts the Flopeye Fish Festival party Friday in Great Falls

Don’t expect to find anyone frying up flopeye fillets at the 33rd annual Flopeye Fish Festival on Friday and Saturday in Great Falls. There’s really no such thing as “flopeye fish.” It’s just a popular reference to a former merchant that became a handy nickname for the general area that was incorporated into the hometown festival’s title.

The annual festival is held Memorial Day weekend, saluting veterans and the community with live music, arts, crafts, vendors, carnival rides and more.

I caught up with festival co-chair Kathy Hinson for a few extra tidbits on the weekend event. Part of a dedicated volunteer team, which also includes second co-chair Todd Wright, Hinson was smack in the middle of event setup, but still happy to share an overview.

“There’s a real down-home feel for everyone at this festival,” said Hinson. “I’ve lived here all my life, and it’s always fun, but you don’t have to be a native to enjoy it. It’s just like going to a big family reunion.”

Like any reunion worth its salt, there will be food. “Lots of food,” agreed Hinson, “hamburgers, hot dogs, fish, chicken and waffles – just good old home fare.” Hinson also touted yummy desserts including treats that are indulgent even decadent: namely fried Oreo’s and fried cheesecake.

Then check out retail and craft vendors and the excitement of carnival attractions including a rock wall Hinson called “last year’s favorite,” a kids’ Ferris wheel, bouncy houses and other surprises.

Naturally, a major focus will be the Salute to Veterans, along with a special POW-MIA ceremony, re-enactment drills, even the firing of a Civil War cannon. Additionally, this year’s festival will commemorate an important area milestone – the 100 year celebration of the Fishing Creek Dam. Duke Power will present history and special tours.

The festival offers a variety of live music groups from beach, jazz, R&B, rock and hip-hop to a touch of country.

“Everything kicks off 5 p.m. Friday with a free concert/street dance,” said Hinson. The Finesse Band gets the party started, dishing out Motown, R&B, pop, beach and soul driven by high energy and cool choreography. A huge song list helps, too, with hits starting with Bruno Mars and going right on through a string of hot dance tunes.

More groups join the scene Saturday with a lineup that includes: Christian rapper ThK.id; Southern Edge Band, Sho-Tym Band, winding up with Mister Pleaze Band.

“All the bands are local, so you’re gonna know someone here,” said Hinson. Be ready to dance the night away.

The fireworks show – 8 p.m. Saturday on Fishing Creek Dam – is the festival finale. “Come to see what we’ve got. We take Southern hospitality to a new height,” Hinson promised. “Just because we’re little doesn’t mean we’re not mighty.”

Come on down Friday and Saturday to the 33rd Annual Flopeye Fish Festival, 2534 James Baker Blvd., off S.C. 21, North Great Falls at the Industrial Park. For information call 803-482-6029 or visit flopeyefishfestival.com.

Elsewhere

Friday: Songwriter’s Showcase with Scott Bristow and Anni Loggins 8 p.m. at Ledo’s Pizza, Rock Hill; Hank, Pattie & The Current at McHale’s on Main, Rock Hill; Shotgun Saints at Luke’s Sports Bar & Grill, Rock Hill; Music Row Band at Empire Pizza-Newport, Rock Hill; Java Band at T-Bones on the Lake, Lake Wylie; Khaos Kings Acoustic at the Handle Bar Tavern, Catawba; Goodnight Future Boy’s Chris & Todd at Madison’s on The Corner, Tega Cay-Fort Mill; Crashbox at Wild Wing, EpiCenter, Charlotte.

Saturday: Oneppo Brothers Band at Luke’s Sports Bar & Grill, Rock Hill; Treehouse at McHale’s on Main, Rock Hill; Stepside Deluxe at Original Empire Pizza, Rock Hill; Cloud 9 at T-Bones on the Lake, Lake Wylie; Chubby Knuckles at Beef ‘O’ Brady’s, Baxter-Fort Mill; Joyfest with Fred Hammond, Erica Campbell, Bone Hampton, more at Carowinds, Fort Mill.

Sunday: Chubby Knuckles at the Handle Bar Tavern, Catawba; 2 for The Road Reunion Show at T-Bones on the Lake, Lake Wylie

This story was originally published May 26, 2016 at 9:51 AM with the headline "Finesse starts the Flopeye Fish Festival party Friday in Great Falls."