What To Expect At The Chenango Blues Festival In Norwich, NY

What to do this weekend? If you are looking for ideas, of course, the Binghamton Rumble Ponies are in town with games each day at Mirabito Stadium, hosting the Altoona Curve.

The Rumble Ponies are currently the hottest team in the Eastern League, and of course, the staff has plenty of fun promotions each night, including fireworks night on Friday after the game.

And how about some really cool music this weekend? Well, you are in luck, because the annual Chenango Blues Festival is this weekend. It's the 33rd edition, held Thursday through Saturday in Norwich, New York.

Opening night, Thursday, August 20th, will feature John "Papa" Gros from 6 to 7:15 p.m. and Desoto Tigers Testimony beginning at 7:45 p.m. The Blues Fest on Friday evening and all day Saturday will be held at the Chenango County Fairgrounds,168 East Main Street.

According to the organizers, Friday afternoon will feature a special addition this year - a free concert by renowned acoustic bluesman Doug MacLeod at 2 p.m. at East Park, located at the corner of East Main and South Broad Streets.

MacLeod has won nine Blues Music Awards, most recently 2026 Acoustic Album of the Year for his album “Between Somewhere and Goodbye.”

Friday evening will kick off at 5:15 p.m and continue through 10:15 p.m., featuring Dustin Arbuckle and the Damnations, Roomfull of Blues and Larry McCray. Saturday's schedule begins at 11 a.m., featuring eight artists, concluding around 9:15 p.m.

We're thrilled to bring an artist of Doug MacLeod's caliber to Chenango County and to partner with the Chenango Blues Association in adding to their wildly popular event. Such an acclaimed musician in the lineup gives festivalgoers another reason to arrive early and get the most out of a weekend that is an annual highlight in our region. - Tyler Oliver, Economic Development Director for Commerce Chenango

The festival will also feature fireworks, plus food and market vendors. For more information and the complete artist schedule, visit the Chenango Blues Festival website.