The 4th annual Blues Festival comes to Frankford

The Linzy McMurter Trio will perform at 2pm, Friday afternoon and is the opening act of the three- day Frankford Island Blues Festival, July 13, 14 and 15. Over 30 artists will hit the stage and over 40 workshops will be held on the grounds of the 10 acre park in Frankford, Ontario. Photo Submitted.

By Gail Paquette

Peggy Voigt has been singing the blues since she was a young girl.

On Saturday, July 14 she will perform at the Frankford Island Blues Festival in Frankford, Onatrio . Throughout the weekend over 30 artists will join her.

“The blues is emotional music. It transcends a lot of feeling,” said Voigt, Artistic Director for the three-day event. “There is a lot of heartache and ‘done me wrong’ songs. There are a few happy ones, just not many.”

The festival is in its fourth year and has grown steadily in recognition and attendance. Last year 850 people came for a day or the weekend. On-site camping and free parking is available.

“It is festival camping,” explained Voigt. “There are no campfires and not all sites have electricity but the park provides all the amenities for a great weekend.”

This year they are hoping numbers reach over 1000.

The 10-acre park, nestled in the village of Frankford along the Trent River is just 10 minutes north of Hwy 401.

The gates open Friday at noon and many of the over 30 artists who will perform call the Quinte area their home.

“It is for the love of music and keeping the blues alive,” said Voigt. “We are blessed with an abundance of amazing talent in this area and all over Canada.”

Voigt says she is a casual musician, meaning she loves to play while sitting around the kitchen table or campfire with friends.

“Our campfire sing-a-longs at the festival are becoming legendary,” said Voigt.

When Voigt came to the Quinte area she and her partner, the keyboardist in her 5-piece band were looking for more opportunities to jam and that is when they found the Loyal Blues Fellowship Inc.’s open jams at the Engineer Hall in Belleville.

It was through those connections that the festival was born. In 2008 after a major revamping of the Frankford Tourist Park including the construction of large pavilion, which is the main stage, the Loyal Blues Fellowship Inc. held their first event and attracted 200 people.

There are now three stages with performances starting at 11 am and continuing till 11pm, Friday and Saturday. Sunday after a breakfast at 9 am at Rosie’s Joint, a gospel sing along will begin a day of inspirational music.

As well as continuous soulful harmony and rhythms coming from the main stage over 40 workshops are being offered, including listening to stories told by R&B recording artist Ila Vann of her 60 plus year career, building a didgeridoo, song writing and learning improvisation on the saxophone.

Musician Linzy McMurter and her trio will perform at 2 pm on Friday. It is her 2^nd year at the festival. At 19, McMurter has been playing five years but she is described by Voigt as an ‘old blues soul reincarnated.’
“The festival is an opportunity to expose our talent and also listen to other artists and grow,” said McMurter. “So many people come together with a likewise love.”

“Fast or slow, simple or complex,” says Voigt. “The blues has been around forever but it is never the same way twice.”