Carnival of Soul

St. Louis, MO, August 10, 2020 – After months of planning and monitoring with local health officials, the Laclede’s Landing Merchants Association has officially postponed the 25th annual Big Muddy Blues Festival. Originally scheduled for Labor Day Weekend, the event has been delayed until 2021 due to concerns regarding the spread of COVID-19.

Celebrating the rich St. Louis history of “the Blues” featuring world-class musicians representing a wide range of Blues music that attracts visitors from around the nation, organizers have decided that now is not the right time to host the Big Muddy Blues Festival. While organizers are already planning next year’s festival, the health and safety of musicians and audience members have continued to remain their highest priority.

“The risk of potentially spreading the coronavirus at the festival clearly outweighs the merits of moving forward as previously planned, but the decision was not taken lightly.” This year would have marked the 25th consecutive year of the Big Muddy Blues Festival since the Laclede’s Landing Merchants Association began hosting the event in 1994. Prior to that, the St. Louis Blues Society started the event in 1986 under the name of the Blues and Heritage Festival. After rebranding, the Big Muddy Blues Festival has since become one of St. Louis’ longest-running music events.

If event-goers still wish to support the St. Louis music community, they can donate to the St. Louis Blues Society Mission Fund at https://stlouisbluessociety.org/.   For the past 18 years, the Mission Fund has helped support St. Louis musicians during times of need and has provided dozens of musicians with financial help when they are unable to perform. The Mission Fund also awards grants to musicians living and working in the St. Louis Metropolitan Area, whose livelihoods have been interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Please direct all media inquiries to Vicki Owings at vicki@morganstreetbrewery.com.