The Chenango Blues Festival was first held 24 years ago, and has been run ever since by largely the same group of committed blues fans, supplemented by some new younger members. The nonprofit group has no paid positions and takes a ‘by fans, for fans’ approach to all of its activities. The festival features continuous music on two stages, on-site camping, and a free Friday opening night. It was headlined in its first year by Anson Funderburgh with Sam Myers; other artists who have appeared include Luther Allison, Koko Taylor, Rod Piazza, Irma Thomas, the North Mississippi All-Stars, Dick Waterman, the Fabulous Thunderbirds, and many more. The festival is always two weekends before Labor Day at the Chenango County Fairgrounds in Norwich, New York, and its many regular fans look forward to this late summer stop on the festival circuit. The Chenango Blues Association also runs a Free Thursdays concert series in July and August.
