The Maine Blues Festival, established in 2006, is a day-long event held in Naples, in the Sebago Lake Region. Organized by the Greater Bridgton Lakes Region Chamber of Commerce, the festival features more than 40 artists performing at several different venues, from bars to country clubs to an American Legion Post. The festival features acts performing jump blues, Chicago blues, West Coast blues, jazz, roots, swing and R&B. Vendors on the Village Green offer festival-goers a number of artistic and culinary stalls.
Maine Blues Festival
Naples, ME 04055
207-333-2135
mainebluesfestival.com
The North Atlantic Blues Festival is a two-day event held rain or shine in July at Public Landing in the fishing town of Rockland. Notable past performers include Jimmy Vaughan, Bo Diddley, Taj Mahal, Elvin Bishop and Coco Montoya. The Blues Foundation awarded the North Atlantic Blues Festival the "Keeping the Blues Alive for Promoter Award" in 2002. Festival-goers can buy day passes or weekend tickets, and there are reduced ticket prices for children. On Saturday night, Rockland shuts down Main Street for the annual Club Crawl, featuring several blocks of bars and free concerts. According to Mark Goodman in a 2008 Blues Wax article, the North Atlantic Blues Festival is "one of the best-organized festivals of the year."
North Atlantic Blues Festival
Paul Benjamin/Jamie Isaacson
70 Lake Ave.
Rockland, ME 04841
207-596-6055
northatlanticbluesfestival.com
The Hope Jazz Festival is a day-long open-air family event held in Hope, and organized by Hope4Jazz. Daytime performances are held at True Park in Hope Village, while nighttime performances are held at the Camden Opera House. The festival's mission is to "provide the youth and adults of Midcoast Maine and beyond with exposure to a variety of jazz genres." It feature jazz vocalists and bands. Thirsty festival-goers can purchase beer and wine at a tent in True Park. A number of vendors are also present at the park, selling food, crafts and music
Hope4Jazz Performing Arts
P.O. Box 2052
Hope, ME 04847
207-763-2831
hopejazzfestival.com
[email protected]
Established in 2004, the Bar Harbor Jazz Festival is a five-day event held in August in Bar Harbor. The non-profit organization is "dedicated to the furtherance of the original American musical art form known as JAZZ by producing performances by local, regional and national musicians." It features more than a dozen performers at several area venues, playing everything from reggae to swing. Festival-goers can take in dance lessons and participate in a jam session.
Bar Harbor Jazz Festival
119 Main St.
Bar Harbor, ME 04609-1880
207-288-5513
barharborjazzfest.com