Briggs Farm Blues Festival is an annual event that takes place near Hazleton, Pennsylvania in the town of Nescopeck, Nescopeck Township, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania^[1] since the summer of 1998. The festival is hosted every July on the farmland owned by the Briggs family. Briggs Farm offers concertgoers a weekend of blues, camping, southern-style BBQ, and a laid back atmosphere.

History

Briggs Farm has been in the Briggs family since 1768 and is still an active working farm located in Briggsville, Nescopeck Twp, Pennsylvania. In 2006 the Briggs family was awarded the Governor's Bicentennial Award for being a working farm kept in the same family for over 200 years. The festival was the idea of Richard Briggs who, at the age of 16, wanted to go to Woodstock 1969 but had to pick tomatoes on the farm instead. After working as a TV producer later in life, Richard found himself equipped with the knowledge and skill to produce a blues festival on his family’s farm. In 1998, Richard put together the first Briggs Farm Blues Festival.^[2] Since its premier in 1998, the festival has grown and expanded every year since. The Briggs family farm and its annual summer blues festival attract people from all over the United States and the world to Northeast Pennsylvania for Delta-style blues.^[3]

Camping

Camping has become one of the main attractions to Briggs Farm Blues Festival. The campground is set up a few yards from the main stage at the edge of cornfields or in a wooded area and can accommodate RVs, trailers, and tents. Camping at Briggs Farm allows people to stay the whole weekend to fully enjoy both days and to meet other blues music enthusiasts.

Performers

• 2011 - Andrew Jr. Boy Jones, Eddie Shaw & the Wolf Gang, Teeny Tucker, Alexis P. Suter Band, James Armstrong, Terry “Harmonica” Bean, Jimmy “Duck” Holmes, Lonnie Shields, Eli Cook
• 2010 – Louisiana Red, David "Honeyboy" Edwards, Mississippi Heat, Mac Arnold, John Primer, Moreland & Arbuckle, Clarence Spady, Harper, Deb Callahan, Lonnie Shields, Terry “Harmonica” Bean
• 2009 – Louisiana Red, Joey Gilmore, Teeny Tucker, Johnny Drummer & The Starliters, Alexis P. Suter, Tom Larsen, Scott Weis Band, BC & Company, Lonnie Shields, Nate Myers, Mitch Ivanoff
• 2008 – Big George Brock, Nora Jean Bruso, Johnny Rawls, Clarence Spady, Bobby Kyle, Colin John & Michael Hill, Kelly Richey, Sarah Ayers Band, Lonnie Shields, Bret Alexander, Mikey Jr., Mark Armstrong
• 2007 – Big Jack Johnson, Alexis P. Suter Band, Harper, Lonnie Shields, “Big T.” Williams, Paul Mark & The Van Dorens, Lefty Williams
• 2006 – Sam “Bluzman” Taylor, Sherrie Williams, Lightnin’ Malcolm, Collin John Band, Cornlickers, Deb Callahan, Christopher Dean Band
• 2005 – Big Jack Johnson, Terry “Harmonica” Bean, Dave Riley, Kelly Richey, Clarence Spady, Krypton City Blues Revue, Nate Myers & The Aces, Sarah Ayers Band, Magic Red & The VooDoo Tribe
• 2004 – Sonny Rhodes, Joanna Connor, Harper, Clarence Spady, Wolfe, Little Budd
• 2003 – Lil’Dave Thompson, Mary Taylor, Tom Larsen, Clarence Spady, Christine Santelli, Magic Red & The VooDoo Tribe
• 2002 – Phil Guy, Osee Anderson, Dave riley, Deb Callahan, Lonnie Shields, Harper, Sting Ray
• 2001 – Eddie Kirkland, Eddie King, Blind Mississippi Morris, B. C. & The Blues Crew
• 2000 – Johnny Rawls, Melissa Reaves, Harper, Peter Tork
• 1999 – E.C. Scott, Lonnie Shields, Tom Larsen, Melissa Reaves, Little Red Rooster, Frank Grace & The Detonators
• 1998 – Big Jack Johnson, BC & The Blues Crew, Frank Grace and the Detonators, Sting Ray’s Blues Band, Krypton City Blues Revue

References

External links

• Timesleader.com