Blues Fest rakes in money for charity

FERNDALE – Exceeding projections, proceeds from this year's Annual Ferndale Metro Blues Festival grew by 70 percent over last year's total. At the last Ferndale City Council meeting, it was announced that $16,000 would be distributed to the two benefiting charities.
"We raised big bucks for charity, we promoted our downtown, we entertained our visitors, but most of all, we brought great music to the people in a spirit of warmth and camaraderie that celebrated our common humanity," said Craig Covey, festival founder and Ferndale Councilman.
The Ferndale Blues Festival is an annual event held in downtown Ferndale and neighboring cities. This year's event featured 79 separate concerts over nine days across 22 venues in three cities.
The event became a designated official part of the Super Bowl XL Host Committee and achieved national recognition.
This year's event grossed $22,000 as compared to last year's total gross of $14,000. Proceeds (after costs) totaled over $16,000 compared to $11,000 last year.
More than 80 volunteers helped put on the massive nine-day event, staffing concerts, selling novelties, collecting donations, and distributing materials and programs.
Winner for the third year in a row for the coveted "Pig's Head Award" for most money raised was Dino's, which raised well over $3,000 for Ferndale Youth Assistance and Midwest AIDS Prevention Project. The second place award went again to Rosie O'Grady's and the "Chairmen's Award" for best new venue is being presented to Via Nove.