Waterfront Blues Festival (fit in, camp, inspection)

[5cents]

Anybody have some good tips on how best to experience the Waterfront Blues Festival this week/weekend? Looks like a $10 suggested donation for entry - is that per day? Does it actually fill up to the point that they close entry? The website says something about selling passes that let you get in if they fill up and close the gates, but does that actually happen? Any good spots for hearing music and/or seeing fireworks nearby if we can't get into the stage areas? Any favorite performers this year? Thanks!

[hamellr]

The one time I've attended the festival was via one of the multitude of boats parked in the Willamette.

It was a great spot to hear the music and the BBQ off the back was pretty fun.

[Rob Allen]

I always listen to the festival on KBOO: Waterfront Blues Festival | KBOO Community Radio

Never been to it in person.

[Minervah]

Originally Posted by Rob Allen

I always listen to the festival on KBOO: Waterfront Blues Festival | KBOO Community Radio

Never been to it in person.

I'm with you on this. Waaaaay to crowded for me. But great music.

[Bluesmama]

Originally Posted by 5cents

Anybody have some good tips on how best to experience the Waterfront Blues Festival this week/weekend? Looks like a $10 suggested donation for entry - is that per day? Does it actually fill up to the point that they close entry? The website says something about selling passes that let you get in if they fill up and close the gates, but does that actually happen? Any good spots for hearing music and/or seeing fireworks nearby if we can't get into the stage areas? Any favorite performers this year? Thanks!

I am probably "the expert" poster on this one, as we have attended those since it's inception.

Yes, it does fill up to the point that they close entry, then they allow people in as others leave. And it happens on every 4th of July without fail. The fireworks are spectacular from the grounds, so what I suggest is that you get there in the afternoon. You don't necessarily need to camp on the grounds, as there are people who prefer to migrate from stage to stage and take a blanket to sit on. Check out all the stages. There is one stage (the Oregonian Front Porch) that will have a competition of regional blues bands, and those are often great. Band suggestions for that day are: Too Slim & the Taildraggers, Charlie Musselwhite, Curtis Salgado. . .

For a very fun and different experience, go on Saturday and enjoy the crazy dancing fools at the Front Porch again, only this time it will be zydeco-cajun bands from New Orleans. If you're not familiar with this energetic music then you will find yourself affected by the feel-good atmosphere. You may just spot the Bead Man in the crowd tossing beads. Band suggestions for that day are: Marquise Knox, Otis Taylor, Lloyd Jones, Bobby Rush (a don't-miss), Galactic, and all the zydeco bands you could fit in.

Admission is $10 (per day) with several cans of food but we choose to give extra money instead of carrying cans. If you take in your own drinks, make sure they're not open. How picky they get during inspection depends a lot on who is doing it and when. Take sunblock, a handtowel, and toilet seat liners if you have them (it can get a little dark inside the porta-potties).

Take extra cash for food, drink, and in case you want someone's cd (Music Millenium has an impressive booth with music of the featured bands), and some interesting merchandise booths.

It's a lot of fun. GO!

[Larry Caldwell]

The Waterfront Blues Festival is also the biggest venue all year to show off local bands.