The weekend that many music lovers have been waiting for is nearly here.
Gates open at 10 a.m. Saturday on the grounds of Washington County Convention Center for Mississippi Action for Community Education’s (MACE) 45th annual Delta Blues & Heritage Festival.
Showtime for the longest running festival of its kind in the country is set for noon.
“Blues Week, which organizers call “six days of education, empowerment, and entertainment,“ kicked off with the Mayor’s Blues Reception on Monday at Schelben Park.
It will continue with the Blues Fest Family Day on Wednesday, Chitlin Circuit Exhibit Thursday at E.E. Bass Cultural Arts Center, 323 Main St., Blues in School/Delta Dialogue event Friday, followed by the Nelson Street Festival that same evening.
As announced by festival organizer Howard Boutte, this year’s event will be headlined by Bobby Rush who, as Boutte pointed out, has performed at the festival more than any other artist.
Also headlining the festival will be Willie Clayton, Sweet Angel, Jaye Hammer, O.B. Buchana and Nathaniel Kimble.
The festival will feature performances by the Fife and Drum Band and Pat Thomas, father of Son Thomas, who are both festival veterans, the Kattawar Brothers, Keith Johnson & the Buddy Waters Band, led by the great grandson of Muddy Waters, J’Cenae, The Eric Hughes Band and Nathan & the Zydeco Cha Chas.
Several of the artists have Mississippi Delta Roots that stem from Rolling Fork, Mound Bayou, Coahoma and Washington Counties.
“We tried to bring you an array of different genres of music,” Boutte said, noting a mash-up for Blues, R&B and Soul music genres. “We hope you enjoy it and we’re looking forward to a great festival.”
The MACE Board of Directors include chairperson Sen. Robert Jackson, board secretary Barbara Brooks, treasurer Frank Jackson, Betty Jo Boyd, Helen Bush, Aurelia Jones-Taylor and Barbara Washington.
The cost for admission is $40 and tickets can be purchased online or at the gate.
For more information, folks are encouraged to call 662-335-3523 or visit the festival website at www.deltabluesms.org.
