Roots N Blues N BBQ is a music festival that happens every year in Stephens Lake Park. This festival attracts a myriad of blues, rock, country and folk artists from all over the world to Columbia.
Unfortunately, all these amazing bands, vendors and artisans come with a pretty hefty price tag. Luckily, there’s many ways you can participate in the festivities without having to spend the money on a ticket to the festival itself:
####Check out the official Roots N Blues playlist on Spotify:####
You can still check out all the artists that will be swarming to Columbia even if you can’t go to their shows. Roots N Blues has a Spotify playlist with all the artists so you can enjoy their music from anywhere. If you really want to get that music festival feel, pack a picnic basket and go listen to it in your favorite of Columbia’s parks.
####Go out to eat at a local BBQ joint:####
Food is one of the staples of Roots N Blues. You can still participate in this facet by checking out some of Columbia’s local food vendors. Maybe head downtown to the Broadway Brewery and try some of their home crafted beer or down Nifong for Lutz’s BBQ to sample their famous chips
####Be on the lookout for other live music opportunities:####
Columbia has a great music scene, with venues like Rose Music Hall, the Blue Note and Cafe Berlin, so there’s a constant influx of different artists in town. Watch their schedules for an artist that you already enjoy, or check out a new artist.
####Walk around downtown and experience the feel of the festival:####
Roots N Blues attracts people from all over that will be heading downtown whenever the festival isn’t in session. Try walking around and seeing how these new people change the atmosphere of downtown. There’s many other events occuring during the festival such as the Como and Boone County Farmer’s Market on Saturday and the North Village Farmer’s and Artisans Market on Sunday. You can find more information on what’s happening in Columbia at www.visitcolumbiamo.com
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####Participate in some of the free events Roots N Blues puts on:####
In addition to the big music festival, Roots N Blues also puts on a bunch of other events throughout the year. Ones coming up include:
Tuesday, Sept. 25– Discover the District on the Road to Roots N Blues
Wednesday, Sept. 26 — New York based Comedian & Juggler, Marcus Monroe and local folk duo, The Burney Sisters
Thursday, Sept. 27 – May it Last: A portrait of the Avett Brothers
####Volunteer:####
While the sign ups for volunteers for the 2018 are over, you can plan ahead to volunteer next year. Volunteering gives you the opportunity to help out at the festival, meet new people, have a fun time and listen to some great music.
####Get some festival merch:####
Who says you can’t wear the shirt if you didn’t go to the show?
####Go watch the Roots N Blues Run:####
Saturday, cheer on the people who actually enjoy getting up early to engage in physical activity. Roots N Blues host a 5K, 10K and half marathon you can watch while enjoying live music and BBQ.
####Support the Roots and Blues Sponsors:####
Many different radio stations, vinyl stores, breweries, restaurants and more establishments help make Roots N Blues possible by sponsoring the event, such as Lakota Coffee, Bur Oak brewing company, Ozark Mountain Biscuit Company and Vinyl Renaissance. You can find the full list on the Roots and Blues website: https://rootsnbluesnbbq.com/sponsors/
####Give back to the Columbia Community:####
Make sure to check out Blues In The Schools, a non-profit organization funded by the Roots and Blues organization. This organization seeks to positively impact the lives of children by teaching them about the heritage of blues and allowing them to create their own music. You can visit their website to check out what upcoming events they have happening: https://missouribits.org/
_Edited by Siena DeBolt | sdebolt@themaneater.com_
