Nationally-Known Band to Perform at 2013 Irmo Okra Strut

Little River Band, an Australian rock band that was popular in the 70s and 80s in the U.S., will perform at the 2013 Irmo Okra Strut Festival in September.

It's the first time the Okra Strut Festival has had such a widely-known band, said Kirk Luther, chairman of the Okra Strut Commission. The commission wanted something special because this year is the 40th anniversary of the festival and the first event to be held at Irmo's new town park.

The Okra Strut Commission is also hiring another band, Lisa Haley and the Zydekats, to perform at the festival. The band plays zydeco, a type of Cajun music with violins, accordians and vocals.

But the entertainment will come at a cost — a total of $26,000. 

The Okra Strut Commission usually pays for the festival's entertainment with its own budget, but this year, the town may pay for the entertainment in celebration of the festival's 40th anniversary.

Council will vote at a later date on whether it will pay the $26,000 for the entertainment or leave the cost to the Okra Strut Commission. 

Tuesday night, however, Irmo Town Council voted to approve the contracts with the bands. 

Council members voted 2-1 to approve a $22,500 contract with East Coast Entertainment, the group that booked Little River Band's performance. 

Council members Barry Walker and Kathy Condom weren't at Tuesday's meeting. Mayor Hardy King voted against approving the contract, citing that the Okra Strut Commission chose bands that cost more than the amount originally budgeted for entertainment.

"To me, it's just not good business to allocate one amount and then spend more and overrun your budget," King said.  

Council members also approved a $3,500 contract with Road Dawg Touring Company, the group that booked Lisa Haley and the Zidekats. 

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