Chicago Blues Festival - Free Fun for All
Monday, June 1st, 2009
Not everyone wants to get the Blues on their vacation but if it's the Chicago Blues Festival then you might change your mind. Each year the event is held in Grant Park. This year's festival will be held on June 12, June 13 and June 14. The annual event is the largest music event that the city hosts. Each year over 1/2 of a million Blues fans converge on Chicago. One of the best parts about the event is that admission is free. The Chicago Blues Festival is the largest free blues festival in the world. If the price is not enough to get your attention then the list of talent will make you stand up and take notice. Past performers have included names like Bonnie Raitt, Ray Charles, B.B. King and even Bo Diddley.
The Chicago Blues Festival got its start in 1984 and was a tribute to Muddy Waters (who had passed away the year before). It started on one stage and had fewer than 200,000 in attendance during the three day event. The event has spread out to multiple stages (five are planned for this year's event) and just under 1 million attending.
This year's festival will include performances from Sharon Jones & the Dap Kings, Jeremy Spencer, Big Jack Johnson, Johnny Drummer & the Starlighters and so many more. It will also celebrate the 70th birthday of Eddie C. and the 30th anniversary of Earwig Records.
Hours for the festival are from 11 am until 9:30 pm through out the event. Coolers can be brought into the event but no alcohol is allowed. Tickets for food and beverages can also be purchased in strips of 12 for only $8. Pets are not allowed into the festival grounds. Performances generally begin about one hour after the festival starts (depending on the stage).
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