Great Escape: Pennsylvania Blues Festival July 29-31, 2011

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Great Escape: Pennsylvania Blues Festival July 29-31, 2011
By Tara Zrinski
Hellertown-LowerSauconPatch

The Pennsylvania Blues Festival is coming to Blue Mountain Ski Area July 29-31, and celebrating its 20th year in the Poconos in the process.

With a Pre-Fest Jam hosted by Chicago-based Studebaker John and the Hawks Friday night, and the main programming on Saturday and Sunday, this festival will feature various incarnations of the blues and other soulful sounds on two different stages.

“Our goal with this year’s lineup is to showcase...national and international acoustic, electric, traditional and contemporary blues, soul, sacred steel gospel and New Orleans styles of music,” said producer Michael Cloeren. “Seven of these artists are returning after making major impacts on Pocono audiences.”

Otis Clay headlines with his soulful brand of blues Saturday at 8pm on the main stage, and Lindsey Alexander, a.k.a. the Hoochie Man, will bring his Chicago sound under the tent.

On Sunday, Shemekia Copeland--a young lady with a blast furnace voice--will be blaring out the blues on the main stage at 6:45pm, to close out the festival. And if you didn’t catch them at noon, The Lee Boys--a sacred steel ensemble with a unique gospel style--will be giving it up to God on the tented stage at 7:15pm.

In addition to the musicians, 60 artists and artisans from all over the U.S. will be displaying their crafts for sale. Food vendors will be on hand to dish out everything from traditional French fries and sandwiches to authentic soul food.

Admission to the festival is $50 for a two-day adult pass and $30 for a one-day pass. Children ages six to 12 pay $15 for a two-day pass and $9 for a one-day pass. Children under six are free. Advance tickets for the festival are available online through the close of business on Thursday, July 28. Tickets will be available at the festival gates for $35 for a one-day adult pass or $10 for a child's one-day pass.

Gates will open Saturday at noon and the music will continue until 9:30pm. On Sunday, the jamming will last from 11:00am to 8:30pm. Blue Mountain Ski Area is located at 1660 Blue Mountain Drive, Palmerton.

Camping on site for the festival holds several advantages, including access to the on-site After-Fest Jam with Big Daddy Stallings on Friday and Saturday nights until 1am. Both jams will charge $5 per person, per night, payable at the door.

One potential catch to camping is that campsites will only be available on a first come, first served basis starting at noon on Friday, and will be assigned by the Blue Mountain staff. To ensure availability, interested campers should call 610-826-7700 in advance.

The good news is that Blue Mountain Ski Area is within easy driving distance of the Lehigh Valley, and there are also a number of bed and breakfasts offering excellent and affordable accommodations in the area.

Wherever you end up staying, expect to have a soulful weekend at the Pennsylvania Blues Festival.