With Labor Day breezing past us last weekend and the reveal of Busch Latte, we can officially say goodbye to summer romances and hello to pumpkin spice. The emergence of cozy sweaters, bonfires, and PSL means the new season is upon us…and I’m not talking about fall. Ladies and gentlemen, I’m talking about festival season and Blue’s at the Crossroads is here to kick things off.
In just 6 day, 20 hours, 30 mins, and 8 seconds we will be celebrating the 19th Annual Blues at the Crossroads right here in downtown Terre Haute (I promise I didn’t get those numbers on my own, you can find the countdown here!). With both blues and rock musicians from all over the Midwest, this two-day music festival has become a town favorite. Personally, it is one of my favorite events of the year and must see!
Located at the intersection (crossroads…get it?) of 7th and Wabash, you can enjoy not only the amazing music all Friday and Saturday night; but food from a variety of vendors, SILENT DISCO, and of course, a beer garden. Guests can partake in music outside on the Main Stage or inside on the Verve Stage. If you are planning on attending and taking in the music for a while, it is suggested you bring chairs (you haven’t put those summer folding chairs away just yet, right?) as there is limited picnic tables available but PLENTY of space for festival goers to set up chairs & relax.
Just a few of the artists performing this year:
Mike Milligan & Steam Shovel
Kelly Richey
The Great Affairs
Tad Robinson
Charles Walker Band
White Light Revival
They have a complete line-up of all the bands playing along with what day and time slot here!
Blues at the Crossroads is perfect for the whole family to enjoy. There is a small fee for adults to get into the festival. However, with free admission for kids 16 and under, it’s hard to pass up an opportunity to expose them to some great music and to help support a superb community event (as well as have a FUN time with your tribe). The beauty of this event, is the affects it has on our community after all the equipment has been packed away and the weekend has passed.
Connie Wrin, Founder of Blues at the Crossroads and Owner of The Verve started Blues at the Crossroads almost 20 years ago in 2000. The turnout from that first “little party” was so spectacular she decided to do it again the next year. After 5 years she set up a not-for-profit to give back to others throughout the year using the proceeds from the festival and in 2012 teamed up with the Community School of the Arts to create the Music is Key program. Each year the program provides new guitars and a year of music lessons to at risk children in our community. The children receive their guitars during the Saturday opening ceremonies and if they continue to take lessons through the year they perform the following year at the festival. If that doesn’t motive you to go, I don’t know what will. I’ve always been a huge music fan, there is something about it that can touch your soul and settle there. It’s gets you through your darkest days and celebrates your most memorable moments with you. So, we take every opportunity we can to take in as much music as possible. You can catch us dancing the night and day away all next weekend, Sept. 14th & 15th…so we hope to see you there!
Speaking of dancing the night way…Melissa and I spent so much time last year laughing and dancing with all our closest friends, in a rare moment we didn’t take many pictures of the actual event. So, HUGE THANK YOU to Dylan for letting me share some of his pictures of Blues Fest pasts with you all!
