Frankford Island gets Bluesy

By Steph Crosier

More than 25 performances and workshops will rock Frankford Island this weekend.

The festivities start on Friday at noon and 10 a.m. on Saturday. Both evenings end at midnight with a fireside jam. Gospel Sunday will start 10 a.m.

The Loyal Blues Fellowship presents the Frankford Island Blues Festival. The festival will take place this weekend rain or shine.

Performers include Joe Callahan, who opens the weekend, Bloodshot Blues Band, Jana Reid, and Ron & Jamie Nicholas who close the weekend.

Peggy Voigt, president of the Loyal Blues Fellowship and artistic director for the festival, said funds will go to their Blues in Schools and artists development program.

The development program puts on workshops for the weekend. They will take place in two different tents hourly. They include workshops like songwriters’ forum, guitar techniques, drum circles, and Blues harmonica.

Children under 12 have free admission if accompanied by an adult. For kids there is a blues skoolmusical activity area open all weekend.

Frankford Island has camping available for those who would like to stay overnight or for the whole weekend. Voigt says that the sites are almost full.

“All the trailer sites are booked,” said Voigt. “We have room for a few more tents but not too many, we are pretty full. But there are day passes available.”

Advanced tickets for the weekend are on for $30 at all local music stores. At the entrance weekend tickets are on sale for $40 and $15 per day.