Bradenton Blues Festival Is Now Sold Out!

The eighth annual Bradenton Blues Festival has sold out of tickets to the Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019 show.

The online box office sold out on Wednesday, Oct. 30, over one month before the event. Prior to this record-breaking year, the performance sold out a week before Thanksgiving in 2017 and 2018. Although the Saturday show is sold out, the community is invited to attend the free ‘Blues Appetizer’ concert on Friday, Dec. 6, 2019. Few tickets remain to the Bradenton Blues Brunch on Dec. 8, 2019, and are available to purchase online.

“We are thrilled to achieve this new milestone for the Bradenton Blues Festival,” says Johnette Isham, executive director of Realize Bradenton, the nonprofit that produces the event. “The festival is renown in the national blues community for selling out early, and this year beat all of our expectations. The annual event attracts thousands of eager patrons who travel from across the country—and globe—to attend. This year, ticket buyers hail from 10 foreign countries, 39 states, and 210 zip codes within Florida. Bradenton is buzzing with the blues because fans know they will have a wonderful time at the festival and exploring the Bradenton Area.”

Bradenton Blues Festival attendees fill hotels, restaurants, and businesses with well-heeled patrons who are eager to enjoy the local assets of the community. Based on survey results, over 80 percent of overnight attendees stay more than one night, and 39 percent of those attendees extend their trip to three or more nights. Area businesses and individuals believe in the impact of the festival, and the 57 sponsors who have contributed financially and in-kind this year reinforce that commitment.

“We’re grateful to BMO Harris Bank, presenting sponsor for the eighth year in a row, and to all of the other business leaders who have shown such strong support for this festival,” says Isham. “They recognize that blues means big business for the Bradenton Area.” She explains that Realize Bradenton directs the proceeds raised from the festival back into the community to support art and music programs for youth, including ‘Blues in the Schools.’

“In addition to fostering a healthy business climate, enriching the community is another goal of the Bradenton Blues Festival. ‘Blues in the Schools’ gives us a meaningful way to support our youth arts and education initiatives,” says Johnette Isham, executive director of Realize Bradenton. “When you attend the festival, you’re actually supporting the local community and sharing the love and history of blues music with students and young musicians.”

Bradenton’s budding musicians will get a musical treat Friday, Dec. 6, 2019, when Bradenton Blues Festival headliner, Angela Easley, visits Manatee High School for Realize Bradenton’s ‘Blues in the Schools’ program. Easley will perform and share her story as a burgeoning musician with students. “We are thrilled to offer this invaluable learning opportunity,” says Julie Hebert, Visual and Performing Arts Curriculum Specialist at the School District of Manatee County. “By sharing her journey as a professional performer, Angela will provide a unique perspective that will inspire our students and emphasize the importance of education.”

The Bradenton Blues Festival Weekend is Dec. 6–8, 2019, in downtown Bradenton. The event features top blues artists, local artisan vendors, specialty food vendors, and craft beer and wine at the beautiful Riverwalk Park. The ‘Blues Appetizer’ is a free, community concert on Friday, Dec. 6, 2017, 6–9 p.m. Tickets are not required for the show Friday evening. The Bradenton Blues Festival is on Saturday, Dec. 7, 2019, 11 a.m.–8 p.m. Tickets are sold out for the Saturday event and will not be available at the gate. The Bradenton Blues Brunch is on Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, 11 a.m.–1 p.m., at Mattison’s Riverwalk Grille. Few tickets remain for the Sunday Brunch and are available online. Learn more at BradentonBluesFestival.

About the Bradenton Blues Festival

Produced by Realize Bradenton, the Bradenton Blues Festival is a weekend concert featuring top blues musicians on the award-winning Riverwalk in downtown Bradenton. Proceeds from the Bradenton Blues Festival support Realize Bradenton’s youth, art, and music programs that are free to the community, including the ‘Blues in the Schools’ education program.

About Realize Bradenton

Realize Bradenton is a nonprofit organization that promotes redevelopment and economic growth in downtown Bradenton by transforming places, engaging people, and realizing possibilities. For more information, visit: RealizeBradenton.

Photos from Realize Bradenton