ThisWeek 08/06/2015
http://www.thisweeknews.com/content/stories/canalwinchester/news/2015/07/27/blues–ribfest-cool-music-hot-food-draw-ever-larger-crowds.html
For the sixth year, Destination Canal Winchester will once again transform the city’s downtown into Ohio’s capital of rockin’ roots music and smokin’ hot barbecue with the Blues & Ribfest.
On Aug. 7 and 8, the air around historic Canal Winchester will fill with barbecue smoke and the sounds of some of the nation’s best blues acts. The free festival will take place from 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and noon to 11 p.m. Saturday at the intersection of High and Waterloo streets. Both roads will be closed to vehicle traffic in the historic downtown area.
Parking will be available in the areas adjacent to festival grounds with additional handicapped-accessible parking in designated areas on West Waterloo and North High streets.
Last year, more than 33,000 people turned out for the weekend and event organizers believe this year’s lineup of food and music is bound to bring larger crowds.
Destination Canal Winchester Executive Director Bruce Jarvis said the growth has been surprising but that the event resonated with audiences.
“Nobody was more shocked than we were when our goal of drawing 5,000 visitors was exceeded with an estimated total of more than 20,000 visitors the very first year; that’s when we realized that we had struck a chord with the public,” Jarvis said.
Jarvis said he believes the continued growth is due to everyone involved — not just the musicians and food vendors, but the volunteers and sponsors as well.
“This year marks the strongest blues lineup we’ve ever assembled. On the barbecue side, we’re honored to welcome several rib masters from the national barbeque circuit back to Canal Winchester. They will be competing fiercely against each other for trophies and bragging rights,” Jarvis said.
“And if ribs aren’t your thing, there is a solid roster of over 20 other specialty food vendors, including the famous Schmidt’s Sausage Truck, to satisfy almost any taste or budget. Maybe the best part of all this is that there is no charge for getting in to experience some of the finest live blues and barbecue to be found anywhere at any price,” he said.
At this year’s event, there will be continuous live blues music from 20 acts performing on two stages, in addition to children’s activities, fan-cooled dining tents and the popular beer and wine garden. Jarvis said the $1 pony rides are back this year, too.
“Friday’s stage headliner is the Ori Naftaly Band, hailing from Memphis, while closing Saturday night will be master guitarist Chris Duarte, who will be laying down some crowd-pleasing electric blues,” Jarvis said.
“On the solo-duo stage, Rip Lee Pryor, son of blues harp master Snooky Pryor, and the Inner Vision Band, an amazing group of talented blind musicians, will perform,” he said.
“I don’t think you can beat the combination of classic live American blues, barbecue wood smoke and the beautiful backdrop of downtown Canal Winchester. It is clean, fun and offers something for everyone in the family.”
For more information and a full entertainment schedule, go to bluesandribfest.com.