Blues festival kicks off Saturday at Optimist Park

Following two successful shows, the third annual Great Basin Blues Festival will take place at Optimist Park on Saturday, Aug. 22.

Over the years the festival has highlighted blues talent from all over the world, including Lara Price, Sirah Storm, Cedric Burnside and Lightning Malcolm.

This year's bill will include returning artists and Mississippi Delta legends T-Model Ford, Bill Abel and Robert Belfour, along with the Love Abiding Church and local group Carl Holmes and the B-3 Side.

Local artist John Nemeth and Boise's youngest blues band the BoDo Brothers will be making their debut at this year's festival.

The third annual Blues Festival will kick off at noon, with on-stage performances beginning at 1 p.m., and the Love Abiding Church performing an a capella Holler Response.

Great Basin President Mark Bryant expects to have a turnout of around 2,000 to 2,500 people at this year's festival. On average the festivals in 2007 and 2008 brought in about 1,200 to 1,500 people.

"Why go to Boise for a blues festival, when we are bringing the guys from the Mississippi Delta here to Mountain Home for an outdoor air concert, you can't beat that," said Bryant.

Tickets for the show will cost $20, and can be purchased at the gate, however, there will be no advance ticket sales. Children nine years old and under can get in for free.

A new concept for this year's festival, instead of cash to purchase food or souvenirs from the vendors, Anthony will be providing redeemable tickets worth $1. Credit cards will be accepted at the gate and during the event.

There also will be no charge for parking during the festival.

The vendors at this year's festival will include representatives from the Mountain Home Fire Department, who will serve hot dogs, chorizos and hamburgers, and Mountain Home Air Force Base, who will sell sodas and bottled water.

The organizers ask that residents who come to the festival not bring coolers or alcohol. Alcohol will be made available during the festival.

For more information about this year's festival, log on to the event website: gbbluesfestival.org.

The Great Basin Blues Festival is an Idaho nonprofit corporation created to introduce the northwest to the "unique music and culture of the Mississippi Delta blues, local blues artists and to support the arts."