Longs, S.C. – Just seven miles inland from the North Myrtle Beach oceanfront, the Waccamaw River’s cypress‑shaded banks will host the Barefoot Hootenanny Music Festival October 23‑25. The three‑day event, held at River Island Adventures (1249 Vera Road), blends live music, outdoor recreation and a charitable Survivor‑style competition, giving locals and visitors a chance to enjoy nature while supporting the community.
Festival lineup and activities
The festival features two stages: the Lip Rippin’ Chillympics River Stage and the Triple Threat Tattoo Woodsy Stage. Friday opens at 2 p.m. with The Well‑Worn Collective, followed by Catfish John, AJ Case, Mac McComb and a community drum circle. WALONA takes the River Stage at 7 p.m., and The Goofy Footers close the night with a two‑hour set.
Saturday is the marquee day. The morning begins with Earth Meditation & Sound at 9 a.m., then yoga with Stevie at 10 a.m. Terry Hayes & The Scrambled Legs kick off the River Stage at 11 a.m., followed by a full afternoon roster that includes Asphalt & Gravel, Two For Now, Brian Roessler, Peyton Benton and Pickety Split. The Woodsy Stage hosts Will Ness at 6 p.m. and Melissa Joiner & The Travel Cats at 7 p.m. Evening programming shifts outdoors with a tea ceremony, a native‑plant talk, and the Fitzkee Brothers featuring Jaden Lehman headlining from 9‑11 p.m.
Sunday offers a relaxed schedule: forest bathing at 8:30 a.m., yoga with Stevie at 9:30 a.m., and Earth Mandala Art at 11 a.m. The River Stage presents Gravy Crockett, J.P. Taylor and Sawgrass, while the Woodsy Stage features Kama Muta and Sweet Sweet to close the main lineup.
Special survival experiences
Saturday’s “Fire & Fortitude” session brings Nicole and Wes from the reality series Naked and Afraid to the Woodsy Stage from 3:30‑5 p.m., offering attendees a glimpse into the survivalist mindset. Earlier that afternoon, the Charity Survivor Games run from 1‑3 p.m. in the Main Field. Participants, who purchase an add‑on ticket, tackle river‑based challenges that echo the series’ rugged tests.
Water sports and paddle jam
Kayaks and stand‑up paddleboards are available for rent through 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday and until 2 p.m. on Sunday. The weekend concludes with a Sunday Paddle Jam (3:30‑5:30 p.m.) where musicians J.P. Taylor and Will Ness join festival‑goers on the water. Paddle Jam tickets are sold separately at the Life Jacket Station.
Why the festival matters to the Grand Strand
Unlike the large beachfront concerts that dominate the Grand Strand, Barefoot Hootenanny offers an intimate, nature‑focused experience with a fire pit, hammocks and a river just steps from the stage. The event keeps money in the local economy, featuring regional bands, wellness instructors and a locally owned outfitter that has introduced visitors to the Waccamaw River since 2015. For residents who have never paddled the river, the festival provides a perfect introduction.
Tickets are on sale now at riverislandadventures.com for the full weekend or single‑day passes. Add‑on tickets are required for the Charity Survivor Games and the Sunday Paddle Jam.
Original reporting: MyrtleBeachSC News — read the source article.
