Jimmie Vaughan, Los Lonely Boys, Taj Mahal headline June blues fest

Blues music legends Jimmie Vaughan, Los Lonely Boys and Taj Majal have been announced as the headliners for Aurora’s 18th annual Blues on the Fox, returning June 27 and 28 for its second year at RiverEdge Park in downtown Aurora.  

Add Blues Hall of Famer Joe Louis Walker, Kansas City Blues Bomber Samantha Fish and Baton Rouge’s Delta belter Tab Benoit and you get six blues bands over one weekend, complete with hot music, cold beers, tasty festival food and scenery on the banks of the Fox River.

Blues on the Fox starts Friday night, June 27, with a live set by blues ax man Joe Louis Walker, followed by Vaughan, one of the greatest guitarists of all time. Gates open at 6 p.m. The double-bill begins at 7 p.m.

Saturday, June 28, kicks off with afternoon sets showcasing the “fret board badassery” of Kansas City upstart Samantha Fish, followed by the Grammy-nominated Louisiana bluesman Tab Benoit. 

Taj Mahal, one of the most influential blues artists of all time, will play the sunset slot, with “Texican” rock n’ rollers Los Lonely Boys firing up the RiverEdge stage as the festival finale. Gates open at 2 p.m. Concerts start at 3 p.m.         Tickets are only $10 per day if purchased before June 2. Tickets are $20 per day starting June 2 and day of. 

To purchase tickets, visit RiverEdgeAurora.com, call the RiverEdge box office, (630) 896-6666, or stop by in person at RiverEdge’s satellite box office, the Paramount Theatre, 23 E. Galena Boulevard in downtown Aurora, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Monday-Saturday. 

The RiverEdge box office will also be open on-site on both days for day-of sales, beginning at 10 a.m. 

RiverEdge Park, 360 N. Broadway in downtown Aurora, is conveniently located directly across from Metra’s Aurora Transportation Center, on the east bank of the beautiful Fox River. RiverEdge is easily accessible from the city by taking Metra’s Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) line. 

Paid public parking is available in the Metra Lot, additional private lots surrounding the park and in downtown Aurora just a few blocks from RiverEdge.   

This event is general admission only. Children 12 and under are admitted free when accompanied by an adult 18 years or older. Guests are welcome to bring folding and bag chairs.   

Food and drink will be available for purchase inside RiverEdge Park. Concessions at RiverEdge offer a diversified menu from official food vendor Two Brothers Roundhouse, along with a bar featuring a selection of domestic and craft beers, wine, sodas, bottled water and more. 

A busy row of festival food vendors will also set up tents to sell everything from hot dogs to funnel cakes. No outside food or drink (except water) are allowed in the park.

Blues on the Fox will take place rain or shine, unless conditions endanger the safety of artists and the public. Concertgoers are advised to call the RiverEdge Park Weather Line, (630) 723-2478, to check status if inclement weather is pending.     

Aurora’s 18thAnnual Blues on the Fox festival is sponsored by Rush-Copley Medical Center.       

Aurora Mayor Tom Weisner, will announce the next wave of events for the 2014 RiverEdge Park season at Aurora’s State of the City address on May 1.

 

–News Bulletin news sources