Sioux Falls Jazz and Blues Festival
The Sioux Falls Jazz and Blues Festival (more commonly called JazzFest) is an annual multi-day outdoor musical event, featuring two stages and is free to the public. It is one of the largest free music festivals in its region and is held annually at Yankton Trail Park in Sioux Falls, South Dakota during the third weekend in July.
JazzFest features a wide variety of music every year including jazz, blues, Zydeco, Latin, Reggae, big band, rock, soul, funk and others. JazzFest features a main stage, second stage for regional/local talent, the Sanford Children's JazzQuest Area, Midco big screens, various food and beverage vendors and many craft and non-food booths. Record attendance was recorded in 2013 when nearly 130,000 people attended to see headliner Sheryl Crow. Past JazzFests have featured acts such as Joe Walsh, Jonny Lang, The Fray, John Hiatt, The Meters, Los Lonely Boys, Andra Day, Los Lobos, the Neville Brothers, Gary Clark Jr, Gov't Mule, George Thorogood, Robert Randolph, Kenny Wayne Shepherd, Bo Diddley, Medeski Martin and Wood, Koko Taylor and Mavis Staples, as well as countless other national acts and local artists. [1]
The event is free to the public thanks to sponsorships from many local and regional companies, hundreds of volunteers from the community and the sale of food and beverages at the event. The Sioux Falls Jazz & Blues Society, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, raises money through the sale of beverages at the festival. It is the mission of the Sioux Falls to increase the awareness of jazz and blues music in the Sioux Falls and Midwest region, through musical events and education. [2]
The first festival was held in 1991 at Pennmarch Place. Events were later held at the Sioux Falls Zoo and Sioux Falls Canary Stadium. In 1996, JazzFest was held at Yankton Trail Park, which has since become its permanent home. Various improvements to the park have been made in the areas of power, water and telephone. All improvements were donated back to the City of Sioux Falls on behalf of the Sioux Falls Jazz and Blues Society.
The festival includes dozens of booth vendors, crafts and food vendors from the region. There are five beer gardens and ample supply of water, sodas, beer and wine. The event also has a free kid's area with entertainment and free bounce houses. The event has also featured fireworks at the conclusion of the event. JazzFest is rain or shine and is in its 27th year. The 2018 dates are July 20–21 in Sioux Falls at Yankton Trail Park.
JazzFest has become a regional and national favorite for out-of-state attendees, due to its location in South Dakota, along the intersection of I-90 and I-29. Many visitors and tourists, planning trips to the Black Hills include JazzFest and the vibrant Sioux Falls art scene as a part of their stay. Area campgrounds and hotels often offer special pricing to guests who are attending JazzFest.
According to the JazzFest website, "The American Bus Association, representative of the motor coach, tour, and travel industry, has bestowed upon the Sioux Falls Jazz and Blues Society's annual JazzFest the designation of a Top 100 Event in North America".[3]
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Coordinates: 43°30′19″N 96°44′14″W / 43.505185°N 96.737357°W