NORWICH — The 30th annual Chenango County Blues Festival will kick-off on Friday, August 18 and Saturday, August 19 on the Chenango County Fair Grounds located at 168 East Main Street.

Friday, August 18 show will be free to attend with parking opening at 4:30 p.m. and the festival gates opening at 5 p.m. The festival schedule kicks off with high caliber bands and artists rocking the tent stage with Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience playing from 5:30 to 6:45 p.m. John Primer will perform from 7:15 to 8:30 p.m. and Curtis Salgado plays from 9:00 to 10:15 p.m.

Chenango County Blues Association President Eric Larsen noted the opening show will be Grammy winner Terrance Simien and the Zydeco Experience.

Larsen said, “John Primer is a real deal Chicago Blues legend. He’s been a side man in all kinds of bands going way back into the 60’s in Chicago and is just now releasing some recordings on his own, under his own name. He just received the Living Blues Award as Male Artist of the Year in just the last few weeks.”

“Curtis Salgado is playing last in the tent he has also won the Blues Music Award for Entertainer of the Year in the past and also Song of he Year. “He’s a great soul blues singer,” he added. “So, we have an Entertainer of the Year, a Male Artist of the Year and a Grammy winner all appear on Friday night.”