Riverhead Blues Fest coming back for 2012
A file photo of Bobby Nathan performing on the main stage at the Riverhead Blues Festival on the afternoon of July 21, 2008. Credit: Newsday / Thomas A. Ferrara
The Riverhead Blues Festival -- canceled last year after more than a decade of outdoor performances on the bank of the Peconic River -- is coming back this year.
But not without some changes and complaints.
The big change is the date. At the request of its sponsor, the historic Vail-Leavitt Music Hall, the festival will be June 16-17 instead of in July, the month it was traditionally held.
The grumbling came from some Riverhead town board members who, as they have in past years, complained about the cost to the town of providing security for the event and the fact that town residents will have to buy $10 tickets, even though many performances will be in town-owned parking lots where all other public events are free.
Still, when the vote to approve the permit came up, it was OKd 4-0, with only town board member Jodi Giglio abstaining. She has regularly not voted to approve permits for events until a certificate of insurance is first shown to the town board. "I have to be consistent," she said.
As a condition of the permit, the required certificate must be presented to the town by May 1.
Town Councilman James Wooten, who voted for the permit, said he wants to keep careful track of police overtime, as does Supervisor Sean Walter.
"We want every department to keep a log for this event," he said.
Councilman John Dunleavy strongly supported the festival's return. "The public benefit is bringing people to Riverhead," he said, adding that the crowds would fill restaurants and shop in local stores.
The 2012 festival will run from noon to 10 p.m. June 16 and noon to 6 p.m. June 17.
Festival organizer Bruce Tria is still working out the performance schedule and locations, but he is excited about one booking.
"We have a great closer," he said. "Johnny Winter is performing," referring to the popular blues guitarist and vocalist.
While the festival regularly brings 10,000 to 20,000 people to Riverhead, it has not proved very profitable for its sponsors. In explaining why they did not hold the event last year, Vail-Leavitt officials said the festival brought in $79,000 the year before but cost $72,000 to put on.
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