K.C. Geiger Park is open to the public all day Friday, August 29, 2008, except the Riverside venue, which will be closed until 6:00 p.m.

6:00 p.m. Riverside Gates Open -- Riverside point of entry will be opened at 6:00 p.m. Staff will inspect carry-in bags and affix age identification wristbands to everyone 21 years of age and older. A $3.00 per person cover charge will be collected at the gate. Beer tent, Food Court and Merchant Mart open at 6:00 pm.

7:00 p.m. Blues -- Big Worm & the Nightcrawlers

8:15 p.m. Blues -- Lady Bird & the Dirty Dirty Earthworms

9:30 p.m. Blues -- Jon Justice Band

11:00 p.m. -- Please drive safely!

9:00 a.m. Park Opens -- $5.00 on-site parking fees will be collected at the Park entrance beginning at 9:00 a.m. Bluesfest personnel will direct traffic to parking places nearest Riverside in order of arrival. The ticket office will open at 9:00 a.m. - day-of-show Bluesfest tickets will be all general admission, $20.00 each.

11:00 a.m. Riverside Gates Open -- Riverside point of entry will be opened at 11:00 a.m. Staff will inspect carry-in bags and affix age identification wristbands to every ticket-holder. The beer tent opens at 11:00 a.m.

Noon Lunch is served -- Food vendors will open at or before noon. The Bluesfest Merchant Mart will open at or before noon.

Noon Blues -- Blues Challenge Winners "No Right Turn"

1:30 p.m. Blues -- The Jimi Vincent Band

3:30 p.m. Blues -- Sonny Boy Terry

5:30 p.m. Blues -- Stacy Mitchhart

7:30 p.m. Blues -- Ana Popovic

9:30 p.m. Blues -- Elvin Bishop

11:00 p.m. -- Please drive safely!
 

Three blues acts will perform at the Bluesfest Friday Kick-Start in 2008. For a low $3 cover, check out three hot bands on the Riverside pro stage, sound & lighting system. Last chance to buy Bluesfest presale tickets!

Cincinnati-based bluesmen on the rise, the Jon Justice Band headlines the Bluesfest Kick-Start on Friday, August 29 with their high-energy original contemporary blues. Jon Justice and his three band members match intensity with virtuosity and make it sound easy. You might have so much fun you don't notice how good they are.

To read more, visit The Jon Justice Band's Bluesfest page.

Stephanie Rogers does credit to a long line of lady blues belters as the lead singer of Lady Bird & the Dirty Dirty Earthworms. This new Celina, Ohio, band plays the blues straight and hard like it oughta be played.

To read more, visit the band's MySpace page.

Dave "Big Worm" Liles has been inciting parties in the midwest for years, but so far nobody has pressed charges. With co-lead guitarist Brett Mullins, Big Worm & The Nightcrawlers kick-start the Bluesfest Kick-Start.

To read more, visit the band's web site.
 

Six blues acts will perform at the Riverside Bluesfest in 2008...

Audience favorite Elvin Bishop and his band top the ticket at the 2008 Riverside Bluesfest. Bishop's party style of blues and good-humored stage presence hit music lovers in all the right spots, from his smash '70s hits to his rowdy blues-rockers of today. "Remember, this is not a rock concert - this is a cultural event." Not!

To read more, visit Elvin Bishop's Bluesfest page.

Rising blues star Ana Popovic will grace the stage at the 2008 Riverside Bluesfest. Popovic's muse is blues but her style definitely brings a smile; she's jazzy and classy and down and dirty in one hot package. This European has American roots, at least in her music. Don't be sorry you missed her - because if you do, you will be.

To read more, visit Ana Popovic's Bluesfest page.

Cincinnati-born Stacy Mitchhart is recognized as the best show in Nashville, where he is a fixture at B.B. King's. A natural showman, Mitchhart brings his entertaining blend of R&B-influenced "Blues You Can Use" as cranked out by his touring band, complete with horn section, to the 2008 Riverside Bluesfest on August 30.

To read more, visit Stacy Mitchhart's Bluesfest page.

Houston, Texas blues icon Sonny Boy Terry brings the Gulf Coast sound of jump blues to the Riverside Bluesfest on Labor Day weekend. His harp will pick up your heels like a puppeteer and break your heart like a lonesome wolf, all at the same time. Don't miss your chance to catch this Van Wert, Ohio native on the Riverside Bluesfest stage.

To read more, visit Sonny Boy Terry's Bluesfest page.

A fan favorite throughout the midwest, The Jimi Vincent Band performs original material and blues classics. The band mixes in musical styles slightly influenced by jazz, rock and country - but make no mistake, it's all blues. The Jimi Vincent Band will be playing "Nothin' But The Blues" at the Riverside Bluesfest on Labor Day weekend.

To read more, visit The Jimi Vincent Band's Bluesfest page.

Kara Place's impassioned vocals front the winners of the 2008 Blues Challenge, No Right Turn. Playing straight-up blues classics and audience favorites in their own blues-infused style, No Right Turn from Lima, Ohio, opens the 2008 Riverside Bluesfest big Saturday show with an hour-long set at noon on August 30.

Policies apply to both Friday and Saturday events unless indicated otherwise.

• No audio/video recording equipment.
  No carry-in coolers or beverages.
  No weapons.
  Security personnel will visually inspect the contents of bags and large purses prior to entrance into the venue. Banned items discovered during inspection will be confiscated.
• Upon request, attendees must present satisfactory proof of age and identification at the entrance gate.
• Kick-Start (Friday) -- Each Kick-Start attendee will pay a $3.00 cover charge at the entrance gate. Event staff will apply a non-reusable wristband to each Kick-Start attendee over the age of 21. Wristbands permit free pass out from and re-entry in to Riverside. There will be no free pass-out and re-entry for attendees under 21 years of age at the Kick-Start event.
• Bluesfest (Saturday) -- Upon being presented a valid ticket, event staff will apply a non-reusable wristband to each Bluesfest attendee. Color codes will identify each attendee as under or over 21 years of age. Wristbands permit free pass out from and re-entry in to Riverside, and serve as proof of ticket purchase. Anyone over the age of 12 found not wearing an event-issued wristband or official event ID will be ejected from the venue.
• The venue boundaries will be clearly marked. No alcoholic beverages may be carried across a venue boundary at any time. To prevent the entry of intentionally mislabeled alcohol, no beverages of any kind, including bottled water, may be carried into the venue.
• K.C. Geiger Park is a municipal facility. Security will be provided by private event staff and the City of St. Marys Police Department.
• Please turn off cell phone ringers within the audience area.
• Children age 12 and under will be admitted free, but will not be given wristbands. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times. Children will not be permitted to pass out from or re-enter in to Riverside without an adult escort.
• Please do not bring pets. No animals will be permitted inside the venue except service animals (e.g. seeing-eye dogs).
• The Kick-Start and Bluesfest events will proceed rain or shine. Umbrellas will not be permitted. Please dress appropriately for the weather.
• In accordance with Ohio Revised Code Chapter 3974, smoking will be prohibited in all Riverside areas under roof with three or more walls.
• Riverside Bluesfest Policies are subject to revision. Please return to this page for the latest updates.