Bayfest turns 20

Golden mentioned the fair is in town where she lives, there’s a similar group of carnies in my hometown, also known as Bayfest. Near the end of September every year these random stages pop up all over my hometown’s downtown district. Along with these stages come food vendors, vendors from various radio stations, and lots of beverage areas, which sell both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages I’m told tho I’ve never tried the non-alcoholic ones. The food is your typical walking around food, funnel cakes, soft pretzels, hot dogs, corndogs, basically things on a stick that can be eaten with only your hands as you walk around enjoying the festival.

What really brings people to the festival however is the music. There are so many musicians it’s INSANE. As a music lover it’s also FANTASTIC! That’s right Bayfest is a three day music festival which features professional musicians on tour and local artist which represent the rainbow on the genre scale, there’s county, classic rock, alternative, pop, jazz, R&B, rap, gospel, modern rock, local musicians, soul, pop, basically if you name it you’ll find a stage with that music on it. It’s a true testament to the people who organize this event because it really does cater to everyone and is also very family friendly too! There is even a special kids area with artist specifically for them and events like dance performances, a touch lab from the Dauphin Island Sea Lab, the Azalea Trail Maids, creative hands-on craft projects, and face painting.

Previous artist who graced the Bayfest stages include Luke Bryan, Kid Rock, Duran Duran, Kenny Chesney, Mary J. Blige, Kool & the Gang, Motley Crue, B.B. King, Eric Church, Babyface, Stone Temple Pilots, Journey, Lady Antebellum, Reba, Nelly, Bush, Pat Benatar, Blake Shelton, Al Green, Alan Jackson, 4 Tops, Akon, Al Green, Clay Walker, Buckwheat Zydeco, KC and the Sunshine Band, and so many more.

In it’s 20^th year the organizers brought some big guns to the festival this year. Friday’s session featured Country Acts Thompson Square, Alabama, Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, AFI, Ludacris, and Stone Temple Pilots in the span of only a few hours. Saturdays lineup included local talent Kristy Lee, Joan Jett and the Blackhearts, Jane’s Addiction, The Roots, and Kid Rock. Sunday’s line up will include Gretsch Lyles, the Mulligan Brothers, Magic!, Earth, Wind and Fire, Foster the People, and Brantley Gilbert to close out the festival. This list is only a small fraction of the musical talent in my hometown this weekend.

Even with all that talent it’s the Launching Pad stage that makes me the happiest. It features local artist looking to make a name for themselves. There is nothing better than listening to a new artist and walking away thinking wow they gave it everything they had. Tho I admit you also get the wow they have a ways to go before they need to be back on this stage.  For the most part tho you'll enjoy this stage because these guys really want to be there and likely stood in the same place you did a few years back with dreams of being on one of those stages. It’s a fun vibe and when meeting them after their set. They are the nicest people in the room cause they are just thrilled you showed up for their party.

In association with this festival they have a BayFest Music Industry Education Program for acts and local musicians if they are interested to learn about the industry; a 5K run; artist meet and greets if you are lucky enough to be one of the chosen (either through a radio station or a sponsor); and a scholarship program that high school kids can apply for that helps students purchase instruments, equipment and music lessons. These winners are announced on Saturday night in front of the crowd, a fantastic way to inspire the next generation that will fill those stages.

It’s a great time and a fun way to visit this Port City, if you love music it’s a great place to travel to every fall (It's always held the first weekend in October) and I know a fantastic travel agent if you need one.   @iFrontierTravel     http://www.newfrontiertravel.com/

--Marcy @beaslma