Ellison Bay’s Blues on the Bay Returns Aug. 24

The fifth annual Blues on the Bay music festival will return to Ellison Bay Community Park, 11953 Hwy 42, on Aug. 24, 2-8 pm, featuring performances by well-known national and regional blues musicians.

Admission is free, but donations are appreciated to support the festival’s nonprofit beneficiary, Door County Secret Santa, which helps local families that struggle to pay their home heating costs.

This year’s lineup of noteworthy blues musicians includes artists you won’t want to miss.

The festival kicks off with Door County’s own blues band, Mighty Mouth, featuring local all-stars Jay Whitney, Pete Thelen and more. Returning this year is the energetic Texas blues-rocker Mike Zito (named Blues-Rock Artist of the Year in 2018) and Chicago blues guitar legend and Grammy winner Billy Flynn. Also on stage this year is Silas “Milwaukee Slim” McClatcher and well-known blues drummer Kenny “Beedy Eyes” Smith.

Blues on the Bay will run rain or shine. Take your own chairs or blanket, and park on the grounds of the Ellison Bay Historical Society at the top of the hill. A free shuttle will be running all day. Food and drink from Hügel Haus, Mink River Basin and Island Orchard Cider will be available for purchase throughout the festival. To learn more, find Blues on the Bay on Facebook.