First held in 1993, the classic Cincy Blues Fest (believed to be the longest-running volunteer-driven Blues fest in the U.S.) is on the move this year. But it’s not moving too far from its longtime Sawyer Point spot. Retaining the stripped-back, one-night approach the festival returned to in 2018, Cincy Blues Fest will be held this Saturday, July 13 at the Schmidlapp Event Lawn near Smale Riverfront Park.
The fest has also switched to a heavy local music focus. This year’s Blues Fest includes Greater Cincinnati favorites G. Miles & the Band of Helping Hands, the Ben Levin Band with special guest Philip Paul, Leroy Ellington’s Sacred Hearts, Ralph & the Rhythm Hounds and Dayton-area father/son duo Troubled Waters.
Winners of this year’s Cincy Blues Challenge in the Solo/Duo category, Troubled Waters will represent the Cincy Blues Society early next year at Memphis, Tennessee’s International Blues Challenge. Ralph & Rhythm Hounds placed second at the Cincy Blues Challenge and first at the 2019 Dayton Blues Challenge, meaning they’ll also be heading to Memphis for the IBC.
Headlining this year’s Blues Fest is The Blues Beatles, a globally-touring Brazilian band that — if you couldn’t guess from the name — performs Blues arrangements of Beatles songs.
Tickets for the Cincy Blues Fest are $20 (If you’re reading this on Tuesday, you can get them today for just $15). There are also VIP ticketing options.
Music begins Saturday at 4 p.m. with the Blues in the Schools Band.
For complete festival information, visit cincybluesfest.org.
UPDATE: FC Cincinnati is hosting its FC Cincinnati 3 Mile Run on Saturday around the same time and with activities in the same area as Cincy Blues Fest. Here are recommendations for entry and parking from the festival:
FOR EASIEST ACCESS TO THE BLUES FEST:
- Patrons and Volunteers: Take Third St. in downtown Cincinnati (one way going west)
- Turn left on Central Ave/US-27 (underneath I-75 bridge)
- Turn left on Mehring Way Turn left into the Central Riverfront Garage (just after you go under the Roebling Bridge overpass)
- From 6:45pm -8:30pm you’ll need to wait for police assistance to turn left, due to the FC Cincinnati race.
- Performers and Vendors: Take Third St. in downtown Cincinnati (one way going west)
- Turn left on Walnut St./Marian Spencer Way
- If Freedom Way (a cross street) is closed, tell police officers that you’re a performer or vendor for the Cincy Blues Fest, and they should assist you across.
- Unload at the curved intersection of Marion Spencer Way and Theodore M. Berry Way (you’ll be able to see the stage)
FC Cincinnati will be hosting their 1st Annual FC Cincinnati 3 Mile Run in the area immediately surrounding the Blues Fest Site on this date.
Utilizing the directions listed above should make it easier for you to access the Blues Fest site, but patrons, volunteers, performers and vendors should be aware of the following street closures.
1pm – Freedom Way closes between Rosa Parks and Joe Nuxall Way (cross traffic is maintained)
5pm – Freedom Way from Race Street to Rosa Parks closes.
7pm – Race begins.
8:30 – Race route re-opens.
This article appears in Jul 3-10, 2019.