From staff reports
editoral@newsandsentinel.com
POMEROY, Ohio — Two nights of live music and a local craft beer festival will highlight the 19th annual Big Bend Blues & Brews Bash, which takes place July 26 and 27 at the Riverside Amphitheater in downtown Pomeroy, Ohio.
Affectionately called “The Bash” by blues aficionados, this home-grown music festival along the Ohio River in Meigs County has blossomed into a popular event for both performers and fans of live blues and roots music.
Headlining this year’s festival are contemporary blues artists Albert Castiglia, Johnny Rawls, Scott Holt, Clarence Spady, Dave Keller and Randy McAllister.
The festival, which is the brainchild of Jackie Welker, Pomeroy Blues and Jazz Society director and owner of local juke joint Court Street Grill, has been going strong for 18 years. This year’s event promises to continue with its tradition of incredible music and jam-packed audiences, Welker said.
“Each year, we keep thinking that it can’t get any better. But each year, we’re completely blown away by the incredible musical performances and amazing crowds,” said Welker. “We anticipate this year to be no different.”
Friday night performances are highlighted by Grammy-nominated Randy McAllister of East Texas and longtime Buddy Guy guitarist Scott Holt. Saturday highlights include the award-winning and crowd favorite Johnny Rawls, New York Music Hall of Fame inductee Clarence Spady, and the next “heir apparent of the Blues,” Albert Castiglia.
For the fourth year in a row, “The Bash” will be highlighting some of Ohio’s microbreweries during the “Brews” portion of the festival. Patrons can enjoy craft beer and hard cider from several Ohio establishments. Scheduled to be on-site and on-tap are North High Brewery from Columbus, Devil’s Kettle Brewing and West End Cider House, both of Athens, Sixth Sense Brewery of Jackson, and Maple Lawn Brewery of Pomeroy.
“The craft beer aspect of the festival has been hugely successful over the last couple years and we’re both excited and honored that such a great line-up of outstanding microbreweries will be participating during this year’s event,” added Welker.
For outdoor enthusiasts, free camping and boat docking on the Ohio River are available.
Festival admission: Friday, $20 per person; Saturday, $25 per person; $40 for weekend pass; 12 and under are free.
Further information can be found by calling Meigs County Tourism Director Shelly Combs at 1-877-MEIGS-CO or visiting the Bash Facebook page at facebook.com/bigbendbluesbash.