ABBEVILLE, Ala. (WDNews) — More than 2,100 people arrived by land and water for the inaugural Backwater Bash, held last month on July 19th at Hardridge Creek Park on Lake Eufaula. The free, family-friendly concert marked a major success for Henry County, drawing crowds from across the region and sparking plans for the event’s return in 2026.
“We’ve only had positive comments,” said Rhonda Harrison, executive director of the Henry County Economic Development Authority. “People really enjoyed it.”
The lineup featured performances by Blane Rudd, Sweet Tea Trio, Jonboy Storey and Dylan Kelley. Spectators brought lawn chairs to the park or anchored their boats nearby to enjoy the live music on the water.
“Many people voiced that they were impressed that it was such a professional production,” Harrison said. “People on the water said they could hear every word that was said on the stage.”
The concert was made possible through support from more than a dozen sponsors, including Alabama Power. The company’s Southeast Division also partnered with the Henry County United Way to help park vehicles during the event. Parking fees collected will go toward the United Way’s 2025-2026 campaign.
“It was just a great community event and partnership,” said David Norwood, community relations manager for Alabama Power’s Southeast Division.
Backwater Bash began as an idea in 2021 following a rural development assessment from the Economic Development Association of Alabama, which revealed that Lake Eufaula was an underused asset for the county. County officials began planning a lakefront event that would highlight the area’s potential.
The county partnered with 423 Productions to bring the idea to life. The company’s owner, Chase Bass, is an Abbeville native and graduate of Abbeville Christian Academy.
“Once we met with him, we got the confidence that we could actually do something,” Harrison said.
The event required collaboration across public and private sectors, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Henry County Sheriff’s Office. Organizers also credited strong financial backing from local sponsors for allowing the concert to remain free to the public.
The name “Backwater Bash” was inspired by a term familiar to locals, according to Norwood.
“People around here our age and older call the lake ‘The Backwater’ because they remember when the water was ‘backed up’ to create the lake,” Harrison said. “If you say something about ‘The Backwater,’ people know exactly where you’re talking about.”
The event also included contributions from local students. Headland High School’s Graphic Design Team created the official logo, which features a wave, a boat, and a guitar with the tagline, “Boats, Floats and Guitar Notes.”
“They just really did a great job of being creative and putting that logo together,” Norwood said.
While the full economic impact is still being assessed, organizers say early signs are promising. Harrison noted that nearby Airbnbs and RV lots began filling up shortly after the event was announced. Increased gas sales and local business activity are also expected.
The date for the second annual Backwater Bash has already been set for July 18, 2026.
