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25th Annual Rollin on the River

Rollin on the River Facebook Page

The 25th Annual Rollin on the River blues festival kicks off at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 16 in Keokuk's Victory Park.

The two-day event brings together a mix of nationally-known musicians and local talent.

Randy Fish, who serves on the organizing committee, says it's hard to believe the festival has been around for a quarter century.

"The first year, it was south of Victory Park," says Fish, "and they had Buddy Holley and the Crickets."

He says the next year, the organizers decided to focus only on blues music.

Fish says the event has grown to include music scholarships for high school seniors and an instrument refurbishing program.

He says attendance has grown over the years to where as many as 6,000 people could attend both Friday and Saturday nights.

The crowd will come from throughout the Midwest.

Fish says attendees are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and a non-perishable food item for a local food pantry.

Tri-States Public Radio is one of the sponsors for this year’s Rollin on the River.

Jason Parrott is a former reporter at Tri States Public Radio.