BEAUMONT—The enduring sound of the blues will echo through the trees of Riverfront Park in downtown Beaumont, Friday October 27, and Saturday Octiber 28. The seconed annual Kinsel Mazda BluesFest rises from the river despite last year’s Hurricane Rita setback. Headlining this year’s event are the Fabulous Thunderbirds, Bobby Blue Bland and the Boogie kings featuring G.G. Shin and Jerry LeCroix. These legendary artists will perform on the historic banks of the Neches River.

“Our Riverfront Park makes for a perfect setting for outdoor events. It can hold thousands of people, and still provide an intimate setting with grassy areas, trees and walkways,” saud Larry Crumpton, Integrated Marketing Manager of Clear Channel Broadcasting Inc. in Beauont.

Friday night the Fabulous Thunderbirds, led by co-founder Kim Wilson, 2006 Contemporary Blues Male Artist of the Year, brings their distinctive, powerful sound to the banks of the Neches. With beginnings as a straight blues band, The Fabulous Thunderbirds have incorperated a mixture of different styles to brand their high-energy performance. Warming the stage for The Birds is local blues/rock artist Larry Tillery and his band followed by the unique trio of Richard Earl, Jack Edery, and Barbara Lynn with the House Rockers Band.

Saturday features all day entertainment with the Larry Tillary Band, Alan Haynes, Guitar Shorty, and Gregg Martinez. The Boogie Kings with G.G. Shin and Jerry LeCoix will heat up the crowd just in time for the legendary Bobby Blue Bland.

At this year’s BluesFest the smell of simmering pork, stuffed shrimp, sizzling sausage and scrumptious gyros with goat cheese will wafer through the air. nanny’s homemade lemonade, herb teas, speciality fruit drinks are some of the drink choices for ferstival lovers of all ages. Specialty vendors will surround the grassy walkways displaying handcrafted items, fine art, jewelry, apparel and accessories.

Individual day passes or weekend passes are available from Ticketmaster. A Friday adult pass is $10, Saturday adult pass is $15 and a weekend adult pass is $20 with children 12 and under free.

Outside food, drinks or ice chests are not allowed. Patrons are encourached to bring blankets and chairs.