Billtown Blues Association, BBA, organizers for the 29th Annual Billtown Blues Festival have set Sunday, June 10th as the day to celebrate this iconic art form, the blues. The lineup is secured for music to begin at noon and will continue until 11 p.m. at the Lycoming County Fairgrounds in Hughesville. Entrance gates will open at 11 a.m.

The usual formula is in place for presenting many “shades of blues” throughout the day. Kicking things off is the BBA’s March Audition Concert solo/duo winner, Lock Haven native, Chris LaRose, followed by the Audition Concert band category winner, and from Williamsport, The Gabe Stillman Band, returning for his second appearance on the Festival stage under his own name.

Next is upstate NY native, Tas Cru, who by the time he hits the Festival stage will be a household name in and around Williamsport. Tas will have already served the Uptown Music Collective’s Blues-A-Thon as the featured “artist in residence” the previous weekend, and, will have played in a number of venues in Williamsport, and, in Tioga County at the Deane Center.

Following Tas, coming in from Columbus OH, is Ray Fuller and the Bluesrockers. Ray will give area folks a little pre-festival taste of his “rockin’” blues on Friday Night, as he graces the Brickyard stage as part of Williamsport’s “Bright Lights, Big City” week-long celebration of blues music.

The event will feature two Canadian performances: Dawn Tyler Watson from Montreal and JW-Jones from Ottawa, both award-winning blues artists, demonstrating the worldwide impact of blues music.

Labeled, a traditionalist and an innovator at the same time, and also affectionately referred to as “..one of the greatest living acoustic guitar players…”, Rory Block will demonstrate the results of a lifetime spent devoted to preserving the Delta blues music tradition.

Next up, a dose of genuine Creole-born zydeco music, by C.J. Chenier. Zydeco is a potpourri of Texas blues, traditional Southwest Louisiana native Creole music and rhythm, and blues, featuring accordion and rubboard. Zydeco is a magnet for dancers, is hi-energy and often sung in the native Creole language.

Closing out, in the Billtown Blues Festival tradition is Chicago Blues legend, John Primer. Primer now a resident of Detroit, made his way from Mississippi listening to Muddy Waters on the radio never dreaming one day he would lead Muddy’s band and travel the world by his side.

Festival planners are making a few minor changes this year. Most notable is bringing the two acoustic acts, Chris LaRose and Rory Block to the Main Stage. Another sun-protection, non-smoking tent will be added, and food vendor locations will be adjusted offering more room for those bringing their own small pop-up tents and cabanas.

Craft Alley will offer a wide array of arts and crafts, and a selection of local restaurant vendors and food trucks will provide an excellent diverse selection of food choices, along with the BBA NA Beverage wagon. Patrons are advised to bring a lawn chair and sunscreen. Coolers are permitted. The BBA merchandising tent will offer its 2018 commemorative T-shirt and other popular BBA items.

Discounted tickets for $30 are now on sale at eleven ticket outlets in multiple counties, as well as online and by mail order. All festival ticketing, lodging and artist detail is available at billtownblues.org. Tickets sold at the gate beginning at 11 a.m. on Sunday, June 10th are $40.

Kids under the age of 16, receive complimentary admission with a parent. Parking is free on festival grounds, and free bus service is available from our host hotel, the Genetti Hotel and Suites, in downtown Williamsport, and several other downtown hotels. All festival detail is available at http://www.billtownblues.org.