Ferndale Blues Festival's beat gets louder

FERNDALE –
For the seventh year in a row, the annual Ferndale Blues Festival will grow once again to include more than 80 separate concerts and events in two cities over the nine-day period from Jan. 25 to Feb. 2.
The annual music festival is held to raise money for local charities including Ferndale Youth Assistance, Midwest AIDS Prevention Project, and also this year, Hazel Park Youth Assistance. Top sponsors include Bud Light, Paramount Bank, Blue Care Network, and Stoli Vodka.
"The holiday bills have come due, the days are short and the nights are long and dark," said festival Co-Chair Craig Covey in a press release. "What better time to get out of the house and listen to some live music and party with friends?"
New venues this year include AJ's Cafe, Ringwald Theatre, and Strawberry Moon Bakery in Ferndale, all family events that are alcohol and smoke-free.
Also new are House of Shamrocks in Hazel Park and a planned gospel concert in Royal Oak Township.
Volunteers are assigned to concerts and help raise money through donations at the door and by passing the blind blue piggy banks that have become icons of the festival. More than 75 of the piggy banks are in stores, shops and restaurants across the three cities.
This year's poster and program feature Judge Joe Longo, from the 43rd District Court, who is a guitar aficionado as well as vice chair of both Ferndale Youth Assistance and MAPP.
An outdoor Blues Barbeque and Ribs Burn-off competition is planned for Feb. 2 from noon to 8 p.m. at the City Library Parking Lot sponsored by Garden Fresh Salsa, Fresard GMC Pontiac, Binsons's Medical Supply and Bud Light.
For more information, visit http://www.ferndalebluesfestival.org.