Greenville, SC:  The Board of Directors for the Anderson Soiree has announced plans for the 13th Annual “ANDERSON SOIREE, presented by Michelin and WYFF 4” to be held in Downtown Anderson, SC.  The event is scheduled for April 25th and 26th on Main Street from Orr Street to River Street.

With an inviting combination of live music, street performers, food, crafts and children's activities, there is truly something for everyone.  As Downtown Anderson businesses grow and the landscape changes, there are more and more reasons to visit the Electric City.  Music and entertainment will be presented on four (4) stages throughout the event; the Kid’s Kingdom will feature a huge selection of rides and inflatables, as well as an area featuring ten (10) kid’s games that are FREE for the entire weekend.  Additional entertainment can be seen throughout the entire site with street-performers and free face-painting.  Of course, what would the Soiree be without food and crafts.  Fourteen (14) craft vendors and eleven (11) food vendors will fill the street with sights, sounds and aromas to meet everyone’s taste.

Music will be a big hit with all new variety of sounds coming to Anderson from four (4) states, and as far away as Jacksonville, FLA.  The schedule for all stages is listed below, and bios and weblinks are available at www.andersonsoiree.net.

The festival is FREE to the public!  Tickets to purchase food, beverage and Kid’s Kingdom rides can be purchased on site; craft vendors sales are cash transactions.  Wristbands to purchase or consume alcohol will cost $1.00 with valid proof of age requirements.  Event times are Friday, 4/25 (5-9pm) and Saturday, 4/26 (10am-9pm).

A great group of corporate partners have joined the 2008 Soiree in support of the event and the Anderson community:
Presenting Sponsors: Michelin; WYFF 4
Food Court: Bank of Anderson
Kid’s Kingdom: AnMed Health Systems
T-Shirt: Medicus
Support: City of Anderson; Anderson County; Penske Truck Rental
Media: Anderson Independent Mail; ClearChannel Radio (WMYI-FM, WESC-FM, Shine 96.7-FM)
Bistro: Duke Energy; Ralph Hayes Toyota; Anderson Independent Mail
Beverage: Pepsi; Budweiser; Ben Arnold Beverage
VIP Hospitality: The Chiquola Club
Grand Patron: Consolidated Southern
Patron: Robert Bosch, LLC; The Calhoun Historic Lofts; Carolina First Bank; CapitalBank; Phil Jewelers; Santee Cooper; Community South Bank & Trust; SunTrust;
Soiree Friends: First Citizens; Palmetto Insurance; Grand South Bank; The Palmetto Bank; Sullivan-King Mortuary; Regions Bank

The event site will have an alcohol-free area which includes all craft vendors and the Kid’s Kingdom – from Whitner Street to River Street.  The Bank of Anderson Food Court is located between Whitner and Earle Street, where beer and wine will be available.  Alcohol will also be available in the Soiree Main Stage area, down E. Whitner between Main Street and McDuffie Street..

FOOD VENDORS:
Asia Chicken Shack; Bruster’s Ice Cream; Buster’s Original Concessions; Carolina Crepes; Grandma’s Real Homemade Ice Cream; Gripps Grille; It’s All Good; Kettlecorn Confections; Latest Craze; Mann Promotions; Rhino Concessions (food court and Kid’s Kingdom)

CRAFT VENDORS:
A Originals; Beyond Jewelry; Country Expressions; Cynthia’s Creations; Joel & Irene DeGuzman; Mio Wear; Pearls for a Lifetime; Psalmscat Studio; Sew Creative; Sew Much Fun; Stuff2Luv; The Silver Link; Tropical Dreams;

ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE: (full bios and weblinks at www.andersonsoiree.net)

SOIREE MAIN STAGE (Whitner Street)
FRIDAY, APRIL 25
5:00pm - Chocolate Thunder (Simpsonville, SC)
7:00pm - The Lee Boys (Jacksonville, FL)
SATURDAY, APRIL 26
3:00pm - The Drovers Old Time Medicine Show (Upstate, SC)
5:00pm - Mike Lowry Band (Atlanta, GA)
7:00pm - Randall Bramlett Band (Atlanta, GA)

MICHELIN COMMUNITY STAGE (County Courthouse Plaza)
FRIDAY, APRIL 25
5:30pm - Hip Hop Dance Team
7:00pm - TBA
SATURDAY, APRIL 26
12:00pm - Ballett Folklorico
1:30pm - Southwood Step Team
2:00pm - Southwood Cheerleaders
3:00pm - Upstate Kuk Sool Won
4:30pm - Senior Follies
6:00pm - Electric City Shag Club

ELECTRIC CITY STAGE (Main and Earle Street)
FRIDAY, APRIL 25
5:00pm - Michael Wolf and VooDoo Brothers (Charlotte, NC)
7:00pm - Southern Crescent Band (Upstate, SC)
SATURDAY, APRIL 26
12:00pm - Tony Tidwell (Greenville, SC)
2:00pm - Marc Higgins Band (Spartanburg, SC)
4:00pm - [golden] (Atlanta, GA)
6:00pm - Gary Pfaff and Obsession Day (Atlanta, GA)

ANMED HEALTH KIDS STAGE (Kids Kingdom)
FRIDAY, APRIL 25
5:30pm - Chaz the Magician
7:00pm - Joyset Entertainment
SATURDAY, APRIL 26
11:00am - Ric Singleton
1:00pm - Ric Singleton
3:00pm - Ric Singleton
4:00pm - Joyset Entertainment
5:30pm - Westside High School Twirl Team

A new website home (www.andersonsoiree.net) will be the central location for complete event information.