By Jessica Schultz
Fredonia is a great hub of activity, with so much to see and do. Now that summer is winding down, a great way to get out and enjoy the heat while it lasts is taking a trip out to Barker Commons, located at Park Place in Fredonia, NY, next weekend September 9th and 10th for a two-day musical event. The weekend is sponsored by Festivals Fredonia and dubbed the Red, White & Blues Festival. (It’s called that because the event showcases the areas local wine industry, which is the red and white and the bands are local blues artists, hence the blue.) The Villager had a chance to speak with event coordinator Larry Fiorella about this year’s festival and all it has to offer.
The Villager (V): Red, White & Blues Festival is back for 2022, anything new this year?
Larry Fiorella (L): “We will be featuring some great local and national talent this year for our opener and headliner. Our opening act on Saturday in Barker Common is the Growlers Blues Band from Buffalo, followed by our headliner act from Evansville, IN: The Cold Stares! We are also expecting to showcase the talents of 10+ different blues performers this year as well.”
V: You’ve got some great music planned; could you share the lineup and types of music the bands play?
L: “We have a lot of bands, so going into detail on them all would be a lot. Live music will begin Friday, playing in what is referred to as our “uptown” area, starting at 4:30pm with 64 On the Rocks followed by Midnight Recovery. At 6pm The Fredonia Memorial American Legion Post 59 hosts Grosh. At 8pm The Fredonia Beaver Club hosts Dr. Z and The Blues Remedy. Then on Saturday, we will begin in the “downtown” area in the gazebo at noon with the Growlers Blues Band, followed by The Cold Stares at 3pm. Throughout the day on Saturday live music will be featured at various downtown Fredonia bars and restaurants starting at 1pm. There will be live music every hour or half-hour at a different downtown venue. Full schedule is as follows: 12pm, Barker Common gazebo will host Growlers Blues Band, at 1pm Heenan’s Irish Pub hosts the Beer Crate Blues Band, at 2pm Coughlan’s Pub hosts Jammin’ Gypsies, at 3pm is our MAIN EVENT at the Barker Common Gazebo featuring The Cold Stares, at 5pm at Fred’s, Willy May performs, at 5:30pm at 64 On the Rocks, Mo Porter will be rockin, at 6pm at Muldoon’s / Tully’s Pub the JT Blues Band performs, at 7pm Domus Fare hosts the Shaky Ray Blues Band, at 7:30pm Downtown Brew will have the Mark Winsick Band, at 8pm at the Old Main Inn, Two Towns will be playing, at 9pm, EBC West is hosting the Jony James Band, at 9:30pm at 64 On the Rocks, Krossbones will be live and finally at 10pm at Valentine’s, Silver X-treme will be rounding out the evening”
V: We hear there will be food and wine vendors; could you elaborate on each of those please?
L: “Onsite in Barker Commons starting at 11am on Saturday, September 10 will be several food trucks/restaurants and wineries including: Franklin’s Honey & Apples, Blasdell Pizza Dunkirk, Whiz Whip, JJ’s Backyard BBQ, Steve and Al’s Steak Out, Serving Up Smiles, 21 Brix and Woodbury Winery. We also have several craft and direct sell vendors filling Barker Commons.”
V: You have a lot of benefit raffles as well; would you share those?
L: “We will also be hosting a 9/11 memorial motorcycle run and fundraiser to benefit the Vietnam Veterans of America and Dunkirk VA Clinic. We partnered with the American Legion Riders, Hare Tale Magazine and Cyberspokes for this event. Registration starts at 10am with kick stands up by 11:30am. Riders will visit various Chautauqua Co. locations and meet back near Barker Common in time to see The Cold Stares perform. Registration is $10 per rider and includes lunch after the event. There will be a raffle going on for the benefit for a chance to win steel artwork piece entitled “We Will Never Forget” provided by Echevarria Designs LLC. Donations are $1 for a raffle ticket, and the drawing will be held at the end of the festival. Big shout out to Tim Horton’s for providing refreshments prior to the event. There will also be a 50/50 raffle and basket/gift certificate raffle throughout the day in the West side of the park and the downtown area on Saturday. Guests can also pick up a commemorative t-shirt at the Fredonia Beaver Club on Friday night or in Barker Common on Saturday at the Festivals Fredonia tent for $20. We will also be selling commemorative plastic cups ($2), koozies ($1) and 21 oz. wine glasses ($3). Pick up a brochure indicating where the bands will be playing and/or scan the QR code for details and to enter into the cocktail contest. Try all the featured beverages and submit it electronically for a chance at winning a commemorative Red, White & Blues t-shirt.” I’d also like to acknowledge our official merchandise sponsor, Pucci’s Carpet One Furniture, our official lodging sponsor, Edward’s Waterhouse Inn and official caterer for the band, Tuscany Fresh Meats & Deli.
V: Anything else you would like to add?
L: “Festivals Fredonia’s mission is to contribute to a high quality of life in Fredonia and surrounding communities by presenting lively, varied recreation and cultural opportunities to Village and area residents. Festivals Fredonia is always looking for energetic volunteers to assist in executing each year’s festivals. Contact us at festivalsfredoniany@gmail.com. See you on September 9th and 10th for the “BEST street party around”.
Thank you, Larry, for taking the time to speak with us and for sharing all the great info on the festival. A huge thank you to everyone at Festivals Fredonia for bringing to life a great party for all our communities’ members to enjoy.