Katy Kleinginna
In Motion Staff Writer
Photo By: Amber Boutot/In Motion
Volunteers from around Volusia County rallied together in support of the Daytona Beach Blues Festival in mid-October, each doing so with a purpose — to help the festival run as smoothly as possible in the hopes of making it as successful as possible.
“Every person who volunteered did it because they genuinely wanted to help. They show up at 11 a.m. each day to set up and most of them don’t even leave until 11 p.m., once everything is packed up. No one has complained once because they know they’re here for a purpose,” said volunteer Deborah Smith.
Audiences flocked to the bleachers at the Jackie Robinson Ballpark with the intention of having a fun time experiencing each performer and local vendor at the festival. The weekend consisted of 16 local bands performing original music, ranging from low key, acoustic jams all the way to rollicking, blues sets. In addition, there were a half-dozen local food vendors offering barbecue, hamburgers and other all-American fare.
Performances extended from noon until 9 p.m. and an after party was hosted by Skyla Burrell and Victor Wainwright, both performers at the festival, at the newly opened Bahama Breeze Island Grille in Daytona Beach after each day of the festival came to a close at 10 p.m.
On the second day of the festival, Saturday, Oct. 12, microbreweries and local craft beer companies were encouraged to set up samples of their beverages and offer them to festivalgoers who were 21+. Students at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University were asked to volunteer and serve samples.
“The opportunity to volunteer was great because it allowed us to help a local cause and educate visitors about local breweries,” said student Derrick Jones.
Dominic Benecasa, founder and coordinator of the Blues Festival, added, “The bands all performed excellently and they all behaved very professional. The weather during the weekend was great and the crowd was just outstanding. Everything about the festival turned out perfectly and I owe that to the performers, volunteers and everyone who helped make this festival a success.”
Benecasa initially started the festival in honor of his deceased brother Benji Benecasa, who had hoped to start a local music festival before he passed away from cancer in 2007.
Proceeds from the festival were donated to the Halifax Center for Women and Children, which benefits Project WARM, also known as Women Assisting Recovering Mothers, a program at Halifax Hospital which assists new mothers battling addiction. Dr. Pamela Carbiener, a local OB-GYN doctor, served as the festival liaison from Halifax Women and Children’s Center. She understands the struggles women without insurance and health funding go through, so she also serves as a coordinator for Project WARM.
“Project WARM is so important because there are mothers addicted to prescription and illicit drugs and end up having babies that are born addicted to these drugs. If we can help mothers beat their addictions before the babies are born, they are at a greater chance of having a healthy baby,” she said.