The first of three Rhythm on the River concerts took place last Saturday, and featured Gary Lowder and The Smokin’ Hots. The band drew a large crowd, much of which came from outside of West Columbia.

There are two more concerts coming in the Spring. The free concerts, at the West Columbia Riverwalk, are sponsored by the City of West Columbia and this is the 20th season for the concerts. They’re presented by the Greater Cayce-West Columbia Chamber of Commerce. The next Rhythm on the River concert is Saturday, June 7, from 6-9 p.m.. The featured band is the Gaspumpers. Going Commando is the band scheduled for June 14.

“We had a great crowd. It was perfect. They came from all over the state,” said Steve Cohen. He is a C-WC Chamber member and he has been a volunteer for Rhythm on the River for all of its 20 seasons.

“I talked to a family from North Augusta who came to West Columbia Saturday to go tubing on the river,” Cohen said. “They stayed for Rhythm on the River. After they got off of the river they went to Savage Craft Ale Works to eat. That’s exactly the kind of visitor we want to attract for Rhythm on the River.”

Tim James, C-WC Chamber President and CEO, is thankful for the success of Rhythm on the River.

“Volunteers and businesses of the community come together with the City of West Columbia to make Rhythm on the River possible,” James said. “It’s taken a group of dedicated people to make this a celebration of free music and fellowship that has lasted for over two decades, on a site with the best view there is. The moonlight on the flowing Congaree River cannot be beaten.”

James also said the crowd that came out Saturday contained a majority of unfamiliar faces. Cohen said he talked to people from all over the state and got specific information from them.

“There were people here Saturday from North Augusta, like I said earlier, Charlotte, Laurens, Charleston and some even came from Myrtle Beach,” Cohen said.

James said when people travel more than an hour away, they will stay at local hotels and dine at the many restaurants in the River District area, including Black Rooster, Cafe Strudel, D’s Wings, Savage Craft Ale Works, Hideout in WECO, Another Broken Egg and Breakfast at Ruiz.

“It’s great that we can use Rhythm on the River to show off West Columbia, and all of its great businesses, to visitors from all over the state,” James said. “Rhythm on the River is a wonderful event and I’m thankful to the City of West Columbia for sponsoring it. It has become a trademark event for the Chamber and it’s benefiting everyone with the economic impact it generates.”