In 1996, the Bluesfest started as a BBQ contest that featured blues music, called BBQ and Blues. At the time, the BBQ contest was known as Midwest Festival Championship Barbecue and Blues Festival held in Central Park during July. Then in June of 1997, the BBQ was dropped and the venue was moved from Central Park to Oak Grove Park, and the Gladstone Summertime Bluesfest emerged.
Over the years, multiple volunteers and Sponsors have helped to bring this festival to the Gladstone community. With the support of Sponsors, this event has been free to the public, with the help of donations at the gate. Businesses or individuals do not have to be members of the Gladstone Area Chamber to be a sponsor of Gladstone Summertime Bluesfest. There are perks to having a sponsorship and there are different levels too. It’s a great way to promote your business while supporting the Blues artists that will be performing that weekend.
Gladstone Summertime Bluesfest will be held at Oak Grove Park in Gladstone, Missouri on June 17 & 18, 2022. Friday from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturday from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.. Parking is $5 and there is a suggested donation of $5 at the entrance. Bring blankets and lawn chairs for seating. The park will open 1 hour before the music starts. No dogs are allowed at the festival.
For directions or more information, visit www.gladstonechamber.com, and also check out the Gladstone Summertime Bluesfest page on Facebook.
