It’s no secret that rock and roll takes its roots from the blues.
So it’s fitting that the annual Winter Carnival Blues Festival, taking place Saturday at the Vernon Recreation Complex auditorium, follows on this year’s Carnival theme: rock and roll.
“We are excited to once again be a part of Vernon’s Winter Carnival celebration and with the rock and roll theme we are right in the pocket with our Winter Carnival Blues Festival,” said organizer Cathy-Ann Wells.
As it happens, this year’s blues festival also falls on Valentine’s Day, so organizers are upping the ante to make it an extra special event, said Wells.
“All performances will include male/female duets. We are adding some liquors to our bar menu to make special coffees available this year and of course there will be sweetheart décor,” she said.
This year’s lineup of musical talent includes Vernon guitar aficionado Les Copeland, with a special surprise guest vocalist, and Kamloops’ Maple award winning blues band Swing Cat Bounce, featuring vocalist Sabrina Weeks and guitarist Mike Hilliard. Closing out the evening is one of the Okanagan’s top blues bands, Sherman Doucette and his Tankful of Blues, with a special surprise guest vocalist.
“Each year we draw more and more people to our event so I wouldn’t be surprised to see it sell out in advance this year,” said Wells.
Doors to Saturday’s blues carnival at the rec centre open at 6 p.m. with food vendors and an indoor mini marketplace. Music starts at 6:30 p.m. and continues to approximately 11 p.m.
Tickets are $28, available at the Vernon Winter Carnival office and the East Side Liquor Co., or online at www.vernonwintercarnival.com, or call 250-545-2236 to order.
