DAVENPORT, IOWA (May 22, 2020) — After selecting a new date for the 35th Annual Mississippi Valley Blues Festival (MVBS) earlier this year, and initiating organization and planning, the Board of Directors has decided it is in the best interest of fans, artists, and vendors to cancel a live Blues Fest until the ongoing pandemic is far behind us.
The potential for a second wave or peak later this year is very real, and would render the 35th Anniversary Fest a non-event if large group gatherings remain discouraged through late summer and fall. The Mississippi Valley Blues Society (MVBS) planners considered options for live delivery including a single day event, but the logistics and costs (outside of performer fees) are the same as a two-day event.
In addition, their long-distance-traveling fans are less likely to invest the travel dollars for a single-day event, and convincing vendors to set up for a single day would be a challenge.
"The MVBS sets the safety and well-being of our members, and that of our artists ahead of tradition, and we would prefer to see all our fans and supporters next year, healthy and happy at the end of this long coronavirus tunnel", Said Bob Clevenstine, MVBS President.
Clevenstine further stated, "While we are truly disappointed in cancelling a live Blues Fest this year, we are excited about improving our web presence and moving the Mississippi Blues Society into the 21st Century".
The MVBS is re-building their website and hope to come out with the capacity to live-stream Blues artists, present classic workshop videos, artist interviews, educational programs, and make historic Blues Fest performances available to our members and supporters.
Formed in 1985, The Mississippi Valley Blues Society's mission is to educate, celebrate, and preserve the Blues, a unique American music art form. The MVBS is an all-volunteer organization, and one of the oldest community-based non-profit organizations of its kind. The Society is based in Davenport, Iowa.