Saturday festival to serve up plenty of blues, BBQ

Rochester Police Officer Tracy Hayes mans a food booth at last year's Blues Fest. (Lebanon Voice file photo)

ROCHESTER - Local musicians from the Gene Sibley Blues Band will be singing the blues at the Rochester Main Street 3^rd Annual Blues Festival on Saturday from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m.

The blues fest will take place on North Main Street at the Cocheco Riverwalk.

Also performing will be Just by Chance at 11 a.m., Poor Howard & Bullfrog Rogers at 11:45, Rick Watson & Friends 12:45 p.m. and the Gene Sibley Blues Band at 1:45. Blues legend T.J. Wheeler is the featured performer from 2:30-4 p.m.

Guests are asked to bring a lawn chair and enjoy some blues as there is a full line-up of entertainment for your enjoyment!

A special BBQ cookoff is being organized by Leone, McDonnell & Roberts, PA that includes a “People’s Choice Award” of a $100 cash prize and plaque. Judging will take place for best chicken, pulled pork, ribs and brisket. A $5 sampling badge entitles the first 200 people to vote on the Peoples Choice event, with proceeds benefitting downtown Rochester promotions.

Participating restaurants include The Garage, Lilac City Grille, Happy Pappy’s Country Store and our newest downtown restaurant, Revolution Taproom & Grill.

There is still room to sign up.

Rochester Main Street volunteers will be dishing up their famous blueberry dumplings while they last. Food vendors, artwork, and assorted booths will line North Main Street along with a bounce house and face painting for children. Downtown businesses are also encouraged to participate by coming out onto the sidewalk on North Main.

Vendor forms are available online at www.rochestermainstreet.org. There is no admission charge and free parking is available in the City Hall, Congress Street, Columbus Avenue, and Union Street Municipal Parking Lots, all just a short walk away from the North Main Street site. If you are enjoying a walk, then don’t forget to take in the art esprit project “Home Sweet Home,” an outdoor exhibition of art installations in Central Square. 

Traffic will be rerouted onto River Street and Bridge Street from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. during the event.

The Blues Festival is a rain/shine event.

For more information please contact the Rochester Main Street office at 603-330-3208, at www.rochestermainstreet.org, on facebook, or email director@rochestermainstreet.org.

Contact info the day of the event is by cell phone at 603-781-7116. 

The Blues Fest is sponsored by DF Richard Energy.