Fort Mill natives Aidan and Bennett Donovan bring their folk-rock band back to town Saturday, Oct. 17, to open the Fall Festival.
The Donovan Twins are scheduled to take the stage at 2 p.m. at the Fort Mill Amphitheater at Walter Y. Elisha Park, 345 N. White St. The festival runs until 6 p.m.
Admission is free.
The brothers, both 24 and now based in Columbia, have been playing music together since they were 12, YoCo News reported Tuesday, Oct. 13. Their sound blends acoustic guitar, banjo, original songs and close vocal harmonies rooted in the Paul Simon, Billy Joel, R.E.M. and Beatles records their parents played at home. Their father regularly picked up a guitar and sang in the house.
Aidan plays guitar. Bennett started on drums before switching to banjo so he could sing while playing.
The duo began releasing original music in 2024 with singles "10 & 4" and "Thieves (Demo)." They have since expanded to a five-piece, adding Preston Hage on drums, Sutton Jenkins on bass and David Meade on guitar. Their September single "Teary-Eyed Troubadour" is the first recording to feature the full band.
"Since we went to high school in Fort Mill, we love being able to perform in front of people who watched us grow up," Bennett Donovan told YoCo News. "Many of them saw the beginning of what is now The Donovan Twins."
The brothers have shared stages with Sister Hazel and Shovels & Rope and played events tied to University of South Carolina athletics. They hold day jobs but continue booking gigs and writing songs.
Conway-based Bailey Road Band, a Southern rock and country group, follows at 3:30 p.m.
Beyond the music, the town's festival page lists food and drink vendors, arts and crafts booths, a costume contest for all ages, Touch-A-Truck with town vehicles and roving entertainment. Ardrey Street will be closed from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. between N. White Street and Faile Street.
Parking is available at Veterans Park (106 N. White St.), the town building formerly known as Pikes (123 N. White St.), Calhoun Street Park (203 Calhoun St.) and Looms Way. Handicapped parking is at Fort Mill Town Hall (205 N. White St.) and the amphitheater lot.
