ABBEVILLE, AL (WDNews) – Last month on July 19, the first Backwater Bash took place at Hardridge Creek Park on Lake Eufaula, drawing over 2,100 participants by land and water. Henry County saw great success from the free, family-friendly performance, which attracted people from all across the area and sparked plans for its resuscitation in 2026.
According to Rhonda Harrison, executive director of the Henry County Economic Development Authority, we have only received favorable feedback. People had a great time.
The lineup included Dylan Kelley, Jonboy Storey, Sweet Tea Trio, and Blane Rudd. To enjoy the live music on the water, spectators docked their boats close by or brought lawn chairs to the park.
Harrison stated that a lot of individuals expressed their admiration for the production’s level of professionalism. Every word spoken on the stage was audible to those on the water.
More than a dozen sponsors, including Alabama Power, helped make the concert possible. Additionally, the Southeast Division of the corporation collaborated with the Henry County United Way to assist with automobile parking during the event. The money raised from parking fees will support the United Way’s 2025–2026 campaign.
According to David Norwood, community relations manager for Alabama Power’s Southeast Division, the cooperation and community event were excellent.
After the Economic Development Association of Alabama’s rural development evaluation in 2021 found that Lake Eufaula was an underutilized county resource, the Backwater Bash concept was born. To show off the area’s potential, county officials started organizing a lakefront festival.
To make the concept a reality, the county collaborated with 423 Productions. Chase Bass, the proprietor of the business, is a native of Abbeville and a graduate of Abbeville Christian Academy.
We felt confident that we could truly do something after our meeting with him, Harrison added.
Collaboration between the public and private sectors, notably the Henry County Sheriff’s Office and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, was necessary for the event. Additionally, organizers attributed the concert’s continued public free admission to the concert’s robust financial support from local sponsors.
According to Norwood, the moniker Backwater Bash was derived from a phrase that the locals were familiar with.
Because they recall the time when the water was backed up to form the lake, people our age and older refer to it as The Backwater, Harrison added. People will know exactly where you’re referring to if you mention The Backwater.
Additionally, local schoolchildren contributed to the event. With the motto, Boats, Floats, and Guitar Notes, the official logo was designed by the Headland High School Graphic Design Team and includes a wave, a boat, and a guitar.
According to Norwood, they simply did a fantastic job of being imaginative and creating that logo.
Early indicators are encouraging, according to organizers, even if the overall economic impact is still being determined. Shortly after the announcement of the event, Harrison saw that neighboring RV lots and Airbnbs started to fill up. It is also anticipated that local business activity and gas sales will increase.
On July 18, 2026, the second annual Backwater Bash has already been scheduled.
