The 11th Annual Untapped Blues Festival – A Decade of the Blues: 1997 – 2007. April showers have passed, which means May flowers. At least that’s how the rhyme goes. Spring is in full glory in May, and people anticipate special days throughout the month–the mid-spring celebrations of May Day, Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day and college graduation, to name a few.
For many, spring brings to mind the blues–not rhe emotional blues–but the “musical blues.” On May 12, 2007, The Untapped Blues festival returns to the Benton Franklin County Fairgrounds in Kennewick, Washington for a great time of hearing the blues and drinking the brews.
Gates open to blues enthusiasts at noon, with music and entertainment continuing until the last note is played at 11:00 p.m. This festival is about great blues, handcrafted microbrews, great wines, savory food, and lots of good times.
At previous “Untapped” festivals, truly wonderful blues bands have graced the stage. This year’s festival is dedicated to Paul Delay, the first festival’s (1997) headliner, who recently succumbed to leukemia. The event was kick-started by his band and now popularizes the blues for many mid-Columbian residents. Untapped will celebrate Delay’s life with good music and friends, Bernard Allison, the son of another late, great bluesman, Luther Allison, will headline this year, taking the stage at 7:30 p.m. Like your dance feet, the stage will be smokin’ by the time Allison is finished. Also turning up the volume will be: Kinzel & Hyde; The Randy Oxford Band; Nicole Fournier & Her 3 lb Universe; Becki Sue & her Big Rockin’ Daddies; NW Women in Rhythm & Blues; and Nick Vigarino.
Uptapped is more than great blues–it has always been a showcase for many of the Northwest’s finest microbrewed beers. The relationship between blues and brews is significant. In particular, blues and microbrewed beer are two exceptional things that go well together. Consequently, it is natural that event organizers bring the unique quality of microbrewed beer to the festival in conjunction with extraordinary blues music.
Some blues fans do prefer to drink something else and there is alwyas a fine selection of beverages to choose from at Untapped. A select handful of local wineries will dispense their well-crafted nectars. Libations such as hard cider and hard lemonade are also served. The sale of a variety of non-alcoholic beverages donated by the Pepsi Corporation, Mt. Hood Distributors, and R&R Beverage are sold to benefit the Tri-City Cancer Guild.
Regardless of whether people prefer beer, wine or simply something to whet their whistle, the seelction of food at Untapped is sumptuous. Taste buds will be tantalized by the likes of Tortellini Oreste, catfish and hush puppies, Greek gyros, scrumptious Mexican cuisine, outrageous jambalaya and, of course, to-die-for barbeque. There is much for the sweet tooth including the not-to-be-missed Plutonium Porter Chocolate Containment Cake. Untapped is a joy, with the cuisine from the local eateries adding to a memorable festival experience. There is truly something for everyone.
Details aside, the main focus of Untapped is fun, with fond memories the result. So, join the fun this year ar the Benton Franklin County Fairgrounds on May 12. We’ll be presenting the celebration of a “A Decade of the Blues”. Visit their website: Untappedblues.com
by John G. Darab, Babe Nyberg, and Eric Nyberg-Mid-Columbian Magazine