Bradenton Blues Festival will not return to Riverwalk after 12-year run. What to know

The annual concert that put Bradenton on the map as a blues destination has been permanently discontinued after a 12-year run, organizers say.

The Bradenton Blues Festival, held each year in December, drew popular blues musicians and thousands of fans from across Florida, the U.S. and the world for a day of live music on the Bradenton Riverwalk.

“For the past 12 years, we have enjoyed bringing the Riverwalk to life with amazing blues music,” said a statement provided by Realize Bradenton spokesperson Andrea Knies on Wednesday.

“Following the 2023 festival, we conducted a thorough analysis of the event. With thoughtful consideration to the mission and goals, we have made the decision to discontinue the Blues Festival in 2024. We are exploring options for a new event and are excited about the possibilities of bringing people together in new and different ways,” the statement said.

Blues Festival was a legacy of Realize Bradenton founder

The inaugural Bradenton Blues Festival took place in 2012 and coincided with the opening of the Bradenton Riverwalk. At the time, community leaders were seeking ways to revitalize downtown and show off the friendly city as a destination for visitors and potential new residents, with the nonprofit Realize Bradenton spearheading the efforts.

The blues festival was a brainchild of former Realize Bradenton executive director Johnette Isham, who hatched the idea with Blues Revue magazine co-founder Jack Sullivan. They were joined by music festival production specialist Paul Benjamin, who became the festival’s artistic director.

Over the years, Isham described the festival as “a massive community effort,” and “big business for Bradenton.”

Isham also touted the festival as a way to give back to the community by funding a “Blues in the Schools” education program with concert fares.

Isham died last year shortly after her retirement.

Will Blues Festival return?

In a Facebook post, Benjamin said he is looking for a new venue to hold a similar festival on the same dates.

“It was not an easy decision for Realize Bradenton to make but one they felt was needed,” Benjamin wrote. “With that being said, I am hoping to keep a festival going the same dates that we have done the past 12 years. I do have a meeting tomorrow with a new venue...hopefully things will work out. If not with them, I will work to find a new place.”