WAUSAU, Wisconsin (WSAW) – The Big Bull Falls Blues Fest is back and the musicians have been thrilling the crowds on Fern Island since 5 p.m. Friday.
Although there were occasional rain showers, mud and rain did not stop many from going out and enjoying the blues music.
“It’s drizzly and cloudy, but it’s still worth it,” said Kenny Foxe of Wausau. “They play music whether it’s raining or the sun is shining, and if you love music, there’s no better place to do it.”
Foxe is a regular at the festival. With his phone, his chair and his book, he’s in it for the long haul and has advice for newbies facing the weather for the first time.
“Wear a matching hat and jacket, but I’ve been wet before and I’ll get wet again. I don’t mind,” he said.
There aren’t many days when you need both sunglasses and a raincoat, and today’s weather may have been changeable, but that didn’t stop Blues fans from getting out and about.
Many fans were at Fern Island for hours before the gates even opened.
“We’re expecting a good turnout. It just depends on the weather how many people come,” said Alissandra Aderholdt, executive director of Wausau Events. “Last year we had a record turnout of about 5,000 over the weekend, so we’re expecting to have about the same number of people.”
When fans bring their chairs and rain gear, they also bring years of history.
“Many families have been coming here for many years, either because they have the knowledge from their fathers or grandfathers,” added Aderholdt.
“It’s almost a family,” Foxe said. “There are so many people who come to this event who have been coming here for decades.”
If you didn’t have a chance to come on Friday because of rain or other reasons, don’t worry, there are several performances on Saturday, with the first act starting at 1pm.
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