"Riverside" is the Bluesfest venue, a grassy hollow between the tree-lined St. Marys River and K.C. Geiger Park's sledding hill.

At the moment, Riverside is a seldom-visited corner of the Park, but Bluesfest will bring up to 5,000 or more music fans here to enjoy an afternoon and evening of 12-bar heaven. Bring your lawn chairs; level seating room will be plentiful between the hill and the stage. Or bring a blanket or towel and enjoy the view from the slope. 05-16-07

Near the audience area will be a Food Court where vendors will serve Park visitors on the day of the event. Visit the Food Vendors page for more details.

A limited number of $5.00-per-vehicle paid parking places will be available inside the Park on the day of Riverside events. Free parking is available a pleasant 10-minute walk away, along the historic Miami-Erie Canal, in the City of St. Marys downtown parking lots. Click HERE for a hi-res aerial photo illustration of area parking options.

9:00 a.m. Park Opens -- Greenville Road will be closed to all traffic except Bluesfest patrons and through emergency vehicles the day of Bluesfest. $5.00 on-site parking fees will be collected at the Main Street and Beech Street intersections 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. Gates Open -- Riverside points 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.

1:00 p.m. Blues -- The Scotty Bratcher Band

3:00 p.m. Blues -- The Doghouse Daddies

5:00 p.m. Blues -- Cleveland Fats

7:30 p.m. Blues -- Lonnie Brooks

9:30 p.m. Blues -- Joe Bonamassa

11:00 p.m. -- Please drive safely!
 

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.

"Lord, I'm going down to Rosedale, Rider by my side.
Lord, I'm going down to Rosedale, Rider by my side.
Well, we can still barrelhouse, babe, On the riverside."
- Traveling Riverside Blues, Robert Johnson.

Mapquest map & driving directions
MSN map & driving directions
Rand McNally map & driving directions
Yahoo map & driving directions
Maps On Us map & driving directions

Pending Charter ratification, interested parties can contact the St. Marys Blues Guild at: blues@ridertown.com, or fill out our online contact form to be put on the Riverside Bluesfest mailing list.