Fred Sandbothe, left, dances with Ruth Withers during the 2019 Blue Sunday fundraiser for the MO Blues Association at Memorial Park. Blues in the Park will be held from 1-4 p.m. Sunday at Memorial Park. Photo by Gerry Tritz / News Tribune.The weather should be perfect Sunday for an afternoon in the park with some blues.
The MO Blues Association will hold its annual fundraiser “Blues in the Park” from 1-4 p.m. Sunday at the Memorial Park Pavilion.
Becky Fredrickson, secretary for the MO Blues Association, said the group hopes to raise at least $1,000 through the event. Donations collected will support the association and fund the Blues in the Schools Program, which educates children on the origin of blues music and has previously brought blues performers into classrooms.
The event will feature three bands, starting with C4 Entertainment, which Fredrickson described as a very young band, with all the members being younger than 18.
“We are excited to be able to feature them since you don’t often see the younger generation listening to or playing the blues,” Fredrickson said. “This is completely in line with our mission to promote, support and preserve the blues.”
Other bands performing include the Serious Blues Band, formerly known as the Ted Tyson Band, and Buddha Blue. Both bands were described by Fredrickson as being well-known in the area as established blues bands.
“The music will be awesome, the weather perfect, and we’re trying a new food entree: BBQ sundaes,” Fredrickson said.
To keep the event as safe as possible, Fredrickson said temperatures will be checked upon entrance and masks will be encouraged, though not required. While the usual picnic table seating will be available, she said people are encouraged to bring lawn chairs to help facilitate social distancing as much as possible.
“It is the park and there is plenty of room to spread out,” Fredrickson said. “We’ve been cooped up for such a long time, that getting out for an afternoon of ‘Blues in the Park’ will be a refreshing break.”