The festival will take place along 2nd Street in downtown Davenport, and will utilize the Adler Theater for a portion of the festivities.
“The City of Davenport has been a supportive sponsor of our festival for years providing us with LeClaire Park -- our festival's permanent home -- and we now are rallying together to support the city with their flood recovery efforts," says Ric Burris, president, Mississippi Valley Blues Society. “We're pleased that our festival will remain downtown Davenport, and that the City and the Adler Theater are assisting us in taking the blues to the streets of Davenport."
According to the Quad Cities Convention and Visitors Bureau, the festival's economic benefit to the area is $2.5 million.
“The Flood of 2008 has Midwest residents singing the blues, and that's all the more reason to make sure our festival goes on as planned during the Fourth of July holiday weekend," says Karen McFarland, IH Mississippi Valley Blues Festival spokesperson. “By the holiday, people will be needing a break from cleanup efforts, or looking for a festival to attend because of their hometown festival cancellations. We welcome everyone to come to the Quad Cities and enjoy three great days of world-class music, great food and lots of fun with family and friends."
McFarland notes that many Iowa festivals have had to cancel portions of their event or find alternative locations. Burlington cancelled a portion of its Steamboat Days, Cedar Rapids has cancelled some of its opening events for Freedom Festival and Cedar Falls has cancelled most of its Sturgis Falls events.
“Even though the festival will be in a different location, festival goers can expect the same great caliber of artists the Blues Society has been attracting for the last 23 festivals -- and of course, the same great fun," McFarland continues.
Advance three-day passes are available for $40 and must be purchased before June 30. One-day tickets will be sold at the gate for $15. Children ages 14 and under will be admitted free if accompanied by an adult with a ticket. Advance tickets may be purchased at all IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union branches, the festival's presenting sponsor, and at the River Center/Adler Theatre box office in Davenport, or through Ticketmaster.
For 24 years, the IH Mississippi Blues Festival has attracted local, regional and national legendary blues acts, making it one of the most highly regarded blues festivals in the nation. Headliners for this year's festival include Koko Taylor, Elvin Bishop, Denise LaSalle, Otis Taylor and the Black Banjo Project, Billy Boy Arnold with Jody Williams and The Homes Brothers, plus another 22 acts on two stages. For more information about the festival, artists and lodging, please visit mvbs.org or call 563-32-BLUES.
For more information contact All About Jazz.
