The Southside Blues Festival returned to Townsend Park Thursday for its 21st year with Youth Night, music and the start of the annual softball tournament.
Festivalgoers are invited back to the park today and Saturday to enjoy a full slate of live entertainment, vendors and music by DJ Lovebone.
Jeff Smith, festival organizer and District 4 supervisor for Lowndes County, told The Dispatch he is grateful for all the supporters who have allowed the event to thrive over the years.
“The fact we have been able to do it for 21 years and grow it every year and support continue to be there means that we’ve developed a good relationship with a lot of people and the trust is there that we are going to be able to put a good event together,” Smith said.
Smith started the festival with former Ward 1 Councilman Gene Taylor, who passed in 2019. Rick “Don’t Go” Mason, local DJ and talk show host, who is emceeing the event for the seventh time this year, highlighted the continuing annual festival as part of Taylor’s legacy.
“I usually do 90% of the festivals throughout the Golden Triangle. … So, I’m always engaging with different community events, but I’m excited about (the Southside Blues Festival).” Mason said.
Tonight at 6, the festival continues with the end of the softball tournament and more music, DJ Lovebone is playing across all three days. On Saturday, music will begin playing in the park beginning at 3 p.m., with live performances starting at 6 p.m. Smith told the Dispatch the performances will feature three gospel and four R&B groups.
While the 6 p.m. start time is designed to avoid potential bad weather, Mason still suggests attendees bring umbrellas for this weekend’s anticipated heat and rain.
If temperatures are too high Saturday evening, the live performance may be postponed by about an hour, Smith said.
“We don’t want anyone to get sick or suffer from the heat … it not only affects the people that’s coming, it affects the people that’s performing as well,” Smith said.
While coolers won’t be allowed at the event, Mason encouraged festivalgoers to buy from the vendors, who will be selling food across all three days. Smith said there will be 10 to 12 vendors selling a variety of wares, including snowcones, barbecue and clothes, although there will be some variety day to day.
Smith said he is looking forward to seeing a large ground of people coming out to celebrate the holiday at this year’s event, one Mason said people travel from “miles away to participate” in.
“What’s made us successful currently is that we provide a good, wholesome family environment,” Smith said. “That’s to be expected and that along with good food and opportunity for good fellowship is what we come to expect every year and hopefully that will continue with this event this year.”
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Quality, in-depth journalism is essential to a healthy community. The Dispatch brings you the most complete reporting and insightful commentary in the Golden Triangle, but we need your help to continue our efforts. In the past week, our reporters have posted 34 articles to cdispatch.com. Please consider subscribing to our website for only $2.30 per week to help support local journalism and our community.
