People see bonfires all the time. It’s not often, though, that one sees bonfires in the water.
That’s just one of the attractions available to the public during “Rhythm on the River,” an entertainment series coming to the Riverfront Amphitheater this month.

On Aug. 17, Bluegrass legend and Grammy Award winner Ralph Stanley & the Clinch Mountain Boys perform at 8 p.m.

Don’t think you’ve ever heard of Ralph Stanley? You actually may have.

In recent history, most people have heard him sing Man of Constant Sorrow, from the popular film O Brother, Where Art Thou? He’s also been referred to as an inspiration by Bob Dylan, Jerry Garcia, Dwight Yoakam and others.

Stanley has won three Grammys and been nominated six times. He’s 79 years old and still going strong.

On Aug. 31, BalletMet Columbus is going to offer a glimpse of their 30th anniversary season line-up. The show will have excerpts from the upcoming season, with some old favorites from past seasons thrown in as well.

And of course, watch the water light up with “Waterfire.”

“There will be 38 bonfires on the water, framing the stage during the ballet performances,” says Becky Humes, spokesperson for “Music in The Air”, a program of the Columbus Recreation and Parks Department.

“It’s a sculptural kind of performance,” she says.

Admission to the series is free. There will, however, be a fee for parking (around $3) and food such as hot dogs, hamburgers, brats, chips, ice cream and soft drinks will be for sale.

Humes says between 800 to 900 people are expected to show up for the performances.

Riverfront performances have been happening for 35 years, but the “Rhythm on the River” name has only been a part of it for the last 10 years or so, she says.

This series for all ages, so bring the young, the old, and the young at heart as you feel the “Rhythm on the River.”

For more information, check out MusicInTheAir.org or call (614) 645-8300.