Artists prepare for ninth annual blues festival

The ninth annual Big Sky Rhythm and Blues Festival will be held on Aug. 3-5 at Pilgrim Creek Park in Noxon. There will be performances from 11 different artists and bands, including three national acts and two International Blues Challenge winners, as well as vendors for food and crafts. The festival has a strong focus on family – including opportunities for youth workshops and an atmosphere for all ages to enjoy – which is what makes it so successful each year. The workshops provide a chance for kids to get one-on-one mentor experience from various artists that are attending the festival and who can provide professional caliber experience that might not otherwise be possible.

Lorne Riddell has been hosting the festival and in the promotions business since the 70s. Riddell enjoys that the festival is family oriented and that it has a little something for everyone to enjoy. Being a 501c3 non-profit organization, all of the money that is made from the festival goes into helping local schools and bringing in the professional guest performances. There has also been a few local scholarships created for the youth of the community.

The three-day event will be packed with fun for the whole family. The Friday festivities start off around 5 p.m. with a pre-party hamburger and hot dog roast and performance by Anita Royce and the High Rollers. Saturday and Sunday will be filled with youth workshops 9-11 a.m. and then music from noon to midnight on Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday.

Riddell said that the takeaway he would love to see from the community is “embracing the cultural aspect of blues music. It is a part of our national heritage because blues music is a genre that started right here in the United States. It is great to see it staying alive and still going strong for the younger generations to enjoy.” Riddell also commented that in the past children and teens have left the festival “with smiles on their faces” and an appreciation for blues music.

There is camping and lodging opportunities for the whole weekend or just a select day. A ticket for the whole weekend of music performances is $70 or it can be purchased online for $65. The youth workshops are provided at no charge. The pricing and additional information, including descriptions of the performers, can be found online at http://www.bigskyblues.com.