J.M. Lesinski
jlesinski@observertoday.com
OBSERVER Photo by J.M. Lesinski Big TONE, pictured playing at Liberty Food and Spirits in Fredonia, Friday, was one of the first bands to kick off the Red, White and Blues Festival this weekend.
The annual Red, White & Blues Festival, highlighting the red and white wines of the region alongside classic blues bands, began in the village Friday afternoon and went strong into the night.
The Freeze kicked things off at 4 p.m. for the “Uptown” performances at Fredonia Memorial American Legion Post 59, while Big TONE took the outdoor stage at 6 p.m. down the road at Liberty Food and Spirits.
The “Uptown” performances took place at locales further up the street from the stretch of bars downtown, while the downtown acts for Saturday center around Barker Common.
Dr. Z and The Blues Remedy closed out the night at Fredonia Beaver Club, who also sponsored the festival alongside Three Chord Bourbon.
The two-day music event that takes place the weekend following Labor Day is hosted by Festivals Fredonia Inc., a not-for-profit organization that is run by generous volunteers.
The vast majority of performances over the weekend take place today, starting at 11 a.m. in the Barker Common gazebo, where Iron Eyes Experience will play. In addition, there will be food trucks/vendors, wine and craft vendors, a 50/50 raffle, as well as a basket raffle.
At 1 p.m. Beer Crate Blues Band will be performing at Heenan’s Irish Pub, with Jammin’ Gypsies performing at Coughlan’s Pub at 2 p.m.
The main event of the day will take place at Barker Common gazebo at 3 p.m., where the Jeff Fetterman Band will headline the festival.
Following the main act, Harvey and the Hurricanes will play at Fred’s at 5 p.m., while the Mark Winsick Band will play at Lil Magill’s at 6 p.m.
At 6:30 p.m. Pedro and the Smooth Cats will play at DeJohn’s Italian Spaghetti House, while at 7 p.m. Just Plain Lucky will play at Old Main Inn.
The JT Blues Band will play at 8 p.m. at Muldoon’s/Tully’s Pub, with a performance by Jony James Band at EBC West following at 9 p.m. The last performance of the night will be Ion Sky at Valentine’s at 10 p.m.
Vendors downtown include: DeJohn’s Italian Spaghetti House, EBC West, Domus Fare, SiriThaiCuisine, Franklin’s Honey & Apples, JJ’s Backyard BBQ & Catering LLC, East Main Cafe, Blasdell Pizza Dunkirk, Mazza Vineyards, Sparkling Ponds Winery and Woodbury Winery.
Commemorative Red, White and Blues Festival t-shirts in two colors and two styles are also for sale at the Festivals Fredonia tent for $15, along with koozies for $2 and 21 oz wine glasses for $5.