The excitement accelerates in Naples this weekend as the Maine Blues Festival once again roars into full throttle.
This red hot musical event will be held on Father’s Day Weekend, Saturday, June 16 with more than 40 Maine Blues bands playing throughout a two-mile stretch of Naples. This festival, which premiered just last year, has quickly become one of the high points of the Lakes Region’s summer activities while offering something for everyone.
The festivities kick off at the most northerly point of the festival – at the Naples Village Green located on Route 302. The Village Green will play host to the Opening Ceremonies at noon on Saturday and continue on as a free and family-fun spot until 5 p.m. Musical entertainment begins at 11 a.m. in the gazebo, including a guitar clinic with the ever-popular Denny Breau and a children’s program orchestrated by one of Maine’s great blues singers, Pat Pepin. Other Village Green activities include an Artisan Show, youth events hosted by the Lake Region cheerleaders, downhome cooking by the Naples Fire Department, as well as the informational booths of the Maine Blues Society, Naples Main Street, and both area Chambers of Commerce, to name a few.
Continuing south down toward the Naples Causeway is the Freedom Cafe & Pub. A cozy restaurant offering a full menu and lakeside dining in one of the oldest buildings on the causeway. Seven blues bands including Jimmy & the Soulcats and the Mojo Romeos will begin performing inside at 3 p.m. and continue until midnight. Skipping next door to Sandy’s at the Flight Deck, the music of Samuel James and Dave Mello will entertain from 3-8:30 p.m. while you watch the Naples Seaplane fly in and out of Long Lake for its sight-seeing rides.
Just a hop, skip and a jump away is Rick’s Cafe, located in the center of the beautiful Naples village. Here blues fans can enjoy performances beginning at 9 p.m. by Roy-Hudson Band and The Don Brewer Blues Project in a relaxing open-air atmosphere while enjoying some of the best views and people-watching that the Causeway has to offer. A few miles south down intersecting Route 114 at Watson’s Wheels and Water is one of the four free musical performances that the festival is offering. There you will enjoy not only music by the New Blues Revue, but also some of the coolest antique cars and boats around.
Back up on the Causeway, and not on land this time, but on the water itself, one can enjoy the delta blues onboard the Songo River Queen featuring Pam Baker & the SG’s, Lex & Joe Blueswing, and The Delta Knights. This is a unique venue in itself as you may be able to sail and dance your way into a blues-soaked sunset on Long Lake beginning at 6 p.m.
Continuing south and over the bridge, the ride will stop at Kahuna’s, a new restaurant sporting a tropical theme and menu, complete with palm trees. Kahuna’s, located next door to the Causeway Marina, will feature music on their balcony from 2:30 p.m. until midnight with the likes of The Boondocks Blues Band and Blue Street Station to name a few.
At the top of the hill, “at the light” is a quaint Victorian farmhouse, also known as the headquarters for this festival. Bray’s Brewpub & Eatery, located in the heart of the Lakes Region, has been serving up excellent food and tasty hand-crafted ales in Naples since 1995. Seven Maine Blues Festival performers, including Roundhouse and The Blind Lemons, will showcase on both their indoor and outdoor stage areas from 2 p.m. until midnight.
Across the street at the shopping center is home to the Maine Blues Festival’s Information Trailer where you can purchase your all-day wristbands, souvenir T-shirts and posters, as well as the festival’s program which is chock full of information to help make your day at the festival an awesome one. In this same area, Tony’s Foodland will be offering “free” outdoor music featuring the Blue Willow Band & The Disclaimers beginning at noon. This is a great spot to stop, shop, and regroup before heading down the road to yet three more Blues Fest venues.
The beat continues on at Sydney’s Restaurant from 5-7 p.m. with yet another “free to the public” performance, this time with AnnaMarie Smith. Their neighbors down the road at the North Shore Tavern will be serving up an enticing menu from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., along with the blues, from 5 p.m. to closing. Dance the night away with five separate shows including Trailer Trash and The Blueshounds. From there, head one mile up Route 11 to Shaker’s Bar & Grill Dance Club and enjoy the company of friends as three different bands rev up the stage beginning at 6 p.m. with Poke Chop. And, just to add a little fun and pun to this venture, count on treating your belly to a real Maine-style pig roasting, spun on a spit.
If all of this seems like too much walking and too much fun, don’t be dissuaded. The festival offers free unlimited shuttle bus service with stops all along the Naples corridor from noontime until 1 a.m. as well as free Festival Programs to help you find your way around town. Free auxillary parking is available at either end of the town with red balloons marking the way to shuttle stops and parking lots.
So please, join us for the fantastic opportunity to be a part of this outstanding event, and to enjoy life “as it should be.” The events and entertainment at the Village Green, Sydney’s, Tony’s Foodland, and Watson’s Wheels & Water are free to all, but if you want to listen to the Maine Blues up-close at the other venues, you’ll need to purchase an all-day wristband. Advance tickets can be purchased for $10 each ($15 on festival day) and are available at Bray’s Brewpub & Eatery, the Greater Bridgton Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce, or visit us online at www.mainebluesfestival.com. Children under 12 are welcome and free!
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