26th Annual W.C. Handy Blues and Barbecue Festival
Come To Henderson To Enjoy Great Music, Fantastic Food and an Unforgettable Riverside Venue
Henderson, KY | June 13-18, 2016
The W.C. Handy Blues and Barbecue Festival, one of the largest FREE musical festivals in the US, draws a crowd from all over the world and is a celebration of the legacy of Henderson resident and “Father of Blues”, William Christopher Handy. The festival was named a Top 20 Event in the Southeast by the Southeast Tourism Society and Best Music Festival in Kentucky by Kentucky Living magazine.
Handy Fest Lineup and Events
Monday, June 13
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM – Handy Lunch Breaks
- CKB – Live music by Monte Skelton
- Rockhouse at Wolf’s – Live music by Redmon Brothers
- Planter’s Cafe & Coffee Bar – Live music
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM – Happy Hour
- Rockhouse at Wolf’s – Live music by Redmon Brothers
Tuesday, June 14
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM – Handy Lunch Breaks
- Rockhouse at Wolf’s – Live music by Casey James
- Planter’s Cafe & Coffee Bar – Live music
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM – Happy Hour
- Rockhouse at Wolf’s – Live music by Ryan Rigdon and Tim Austin
- CKB – Live music by Monte Skelton
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM – Happy Hour
- On Deck, 100 2nd St. – music by Drew Aud
Wednesday, June 15
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM – Handy Lunch Breaks
- Rockhouse at Wolf’s – Live Music by Ryan Rigdon and Tim Austin
- Planter’s Cafe & Coffee Bar – Live music
11:30 AM – 1:00 PM – Handy Lunch Break @ First United Methodist Church, 338 Third Street
- Live Music by FishTown (Bob Park, Barry Denton, Steve Mayo, Bob Legate, Jayme Fruit, Donna Stinnett) Brown bag lunch available, or bring your own lunch.
Live music in Audubon Mill Park
- 5:00 PM: Studebaker John and the Hawks
- 6:00 PM: Children’s events will be available in Audubon Mill Park.
- 7:00 PM: The Kinsey Report
- 9:00 PM: Sugar Blue
Thursday, June 16
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM – Handy Lunch Breaks
- Rockhouse at Wolf’s – Live Music by Ryan Rigdon and Tim Austin
- On Deck – Live Music by Drew Aud
- Planter’s Cafe & Coffee Bar – Live music
1:00 PM to 3:00 PM – Children’s Art Camp & Umbrella Workshop
- Location: J.F. Kennedy Center, Alvasia & Vine Streets, ages K – 5th.
5:30 PM – Zydeco Night Red Beans & Rice Dinner
- Location: Audubon Mill Park, proceeds go towards expenses of next year’s free festival.
Live music in Audubon Mill Park
- 5:30 PM: Dwayne Dopsie and the Zydeco Hell Raisers
- 8:00 PM: Chubby Carrier and the Bayou Swamp Band
Friday, June 17
Live music in Audubon Mill Park
- 12:00 PM: Blues 4 U
- 2:00 PM: ZoGo
- 4:00 PM: The Beat Daddys
- 6:00 PM: Toronzo Cannon
- 8:00 PM: Curtis Salgado
- 10:00 PM: The Fabulous Thunderbirds featuring Kim Wilson
Saturday, June 18
8:30 AM – Street Strut 5K at Audubon Mill Park
9:30 AM – The William Branaman Street Strut People’s Parade
- Live Music by Bob Minette & The Dixieland Society
Live music in Audubon Mill Park
- 12:00 PM: Little G Weevil and Daniel Harper
- 2:00 PM: AJ Ghent Band
- 4:00 PM: Nikki Hill
- 6:00 PM: John Primer and the Real Deal Blues Band
- 8:00 PM: Tommy Castro and the Painkillers
- 10:00 PM: Victor Wainwright & WildRoots