The 16th annual Jazz and Blues, Wine and Brews Festival is taking over Main Street in downtown Berlin this Saturday.
By Charlene Sharpe, Associate Editor
Main Street will close Saturday as the 16th annual Jazz and Blues, Wine and Brews Festival takes place in downtown Berlin.
The Berlin Jazz and Blues, Wine and Brews Festival is set for Saturday, May 4, from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. The popular festival will feature a variety of performers as well as opportunities to taste an array of locally made beverages.
“We’re excited to host a lineup that reflects and celebrates the diversity of jazz and blues as foundations parts of American music,” said Ryan Nellans, executive director of the Berlin Chamber of Commerce. “And we are also very proud to celebrate some real Maryland craftsmanship from the rapidly expanding world of craft beverages.”
The day kicks off with a performance by the Salisbury University Jazz Ensemble from10:30 a.m. to noon, followed by Lower Case Blues from noon to 1:30 p.m. Ronny Smith performs from 1:30 to 3 p.m. while the Tribe Band goes on stage at 3 p.m.
The festival will close with a performance by the Rodney Kelly Jazz Experience, which wowed the Berlin audience last year.
“They’re incredible,” said Ivy Wells, the town’s economic and community development director.
She added that the festival was one that people looked forward to every year.
“Jazz and Blues, Wine and Brews is a full day of arts and music in downtown Berlin, plus you get to taste local wine and beer and mead and dance all day,” she said. “It’s such a fun event.”
Along with live music, the event will feature drinks from local vendors as well as food from local favorites such as the Street Kitchen and Kona Ice. Attendees are encouraged to park at Stephen Decatur Park, as no shuttle will be offered this year. For more information on the event, visit the event page on Facebook or berlinchamber.org.
“Thank you to everyone who makes these events possible, “Nellans said. “Our sponsors of course—Bradley Atlantic, Taylor Bank, WESM and Broad Bookkeeping—but also the small army of volunteers who keep the wheels turning. There’s no tighter knit small business community than Berlin, and no better way to get involved than roll up your sleeves and jump in the mix.”