Bradenton Blues Festival Returns With New Name, Location

LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL — Weeks after Realize Bradenton announced in February the permanent cancellation of the Bradenton Blues Festival, the event's co-founder said he plans to revive it with a new name and location, according to multiple reports.

“Following the 2023 festival, we conducted a thorough analysis of the event. With thoughtful consideration to the mission and goals, we have made the decision to discontinue the Blues Festival in 2024,” Andrea Knies, communications director for the organization, said in a statement last month.

Paul Benjamin, who has served as the festival’s artistic director since it launched in 2012, recently announced his partnership with Independent Jones, an events company, to produce the inaugural Lakewood Ranch Blues Festival at Waterside Park on Dec. 7, the Bradenton Times reported.

• Also Read: Bradenton Blues Festival Permanently Canceled: Realize Bradenton

The festival was a passion project for Realize Bradenton founder, Johnette Isham, who died last year.

"It was important to us to keep the legacy that was created by Johnette and Realize Bradenton alive," Benjamin said. "After looking at a number of places, we decided that Lakewood Ranch was the best place to host the event, which will draw in blues fans from across the world.”

He told ABC 7, “Lakewood Ranch, their people have been really on-board with us and giving us full support. That makes a big difference. You know, Bradenton did as well. This just makes it a lot more convenient. Easier setup and tear down here.”

The venue, which is part of Waterside Place, a new restaurant and shopping destination in Lakewood Ranch, can accommodate about 5,000 concert-goers, he added.

Organizers promise a lineup of national and international touring blues artists. Those already scheduled to perform include St. Louis-based Dylan Triplett, California’s Mitch Woods and His Rocket 88s, Boston Blues guitarist Monster Mike Welch and Miami-born singer songwriter Kat Riggins, the Bradenton Herald said.

Pre-sale tickets for the festival will cost $75 each and $90 the day of the show. There will also be a limited number of VIP tickets available. Tickets will go on sale soon at www.lakewoodranchbluesfestival.com.