Familiar faces return for Wallace Blues Fest
Sammy Eubanks points to the crowd as they sing along during the 2019 Blues Festival.
Photo by CHANSE WATSON
WALLACE — It’s been three years since the streets of downtown Wallace were filled with the sounds of the blues, due to the pandemic, but that will soon change.
Slated for July 8 and 9, the 2022 Historic Wallace Blues Festival has a packed lineup that is sure to get even people with two left feet into the dancing mood.
“Anticipation starts to get the best of you around this time, a couple weeks before the festival,” Wallace District Arts Council President Marcy Hayman said of the upcoming event.
Hosted by the council, in collaboration with Too Far North productions and 4+1 Creative, Hayman is mostly thrilled (and ever so slightly nervous) to see the highest number of online tickets sold in the event’s history.
“I think people are just ready to get out and be a part of things that they have been a part of in the past. Music lovers are die-hard!”
This year’s line-up includes numerous returning favorites such as the Coyote Kings with Tiphony Dames, the Doghouse Boyz, Ginger & Rusty, Tina Bailey and Casey Ryan — just to name a few.
Of course, it wouldn’t be Blues Fest without the historic headliner Sammy Eubanks and the All-Star Jam band (who just may have a key to the city) returning to the main stage.
According to the Wallace Blues Fest website, Eubanks put together a band of veteran Inland Northwest players last year and achieved what more than 260 blues bands from across the world could not by becoming the second runner-up at the International Blues Challenge in Memphis.
“Sammy Eubanks has been a BIG part of the Wallace Blues Festival since it began and this year is no different,” the website reads. “A very popular entertainer as well as talented, Sammy has been voted Best Male Vocalist 12 times in Washington State and is a Hall of Fame Member of the Inland Empire Blues Society.”
New acts that are set to take the stage include the Daniel Castro Band, Jan Harrison & Steve Brody, Moneypenny, and many more.
“Any time that we have new performers, they bring a new aura with them,” Hayman said. “I love to meet the people and see what their first impression of Wallace is.”
The layout of the event will remain essentially the same as previous years, with the two main stages being set up on Cedar Street; one near City Hall and the other near the Metals, Brooks and Day Rock. Performances can also be seen in the beer garden next to Oasis Bordello Museum and in the newly created VIP area.
Hayman explains that the VIP area will be open to 50 people who are willing to pay a little extra for a truly special experience.
The purchase of a VIP ticket includes:
• Special seating in Samuels Park for VIP guests and performers only
• Three free drink chips
• A special edition T-shirt and lanyard
• A special swag bag
• Complimentary snacks
• Dinner with the performers in the green room and photo opportunities
• Park attendants to ensure that only VIP’s are allowed in
The bluesy fun is set to kick off Friday, July 8 at 7 p.m. with a performance by Casey Ryan at the Metals/Brooks/Day Rock stage. The event is set to wrap up that Sunday morning with a pancake breakfast at the Wallace Elks Lodge from 8 to 11 a.m. with Tina Bailey performing.
To purchase tickets or to learn more about the festival, visit www.wallaceblues.com. Tickets will also be available at the gate on the days of the event.
“Big thank you to all the people in Wallace that have put forth an effort and given us things for the swag bag, because that makes a big difference,” Hayman said.