Katy Kleinginna
\nIn Motion Staff Writer<\/p>\n
For Daytona Beach residents, Fall brings forth cooler weather, shorter days and a blues festival.<\/p>\n
The Daytona Beach Blues Festival takes place in downtown Daytona at the Jackie Robinson Memorial Ball Park, located at 105 E. Orange Ave. in Daytona Beach.<\/p>\n
Extending from Oct. 11 through 13, it features local musicians ranging from classic rock cover bands to artists playing acoustic sessions. Before the festival begins, all visitors are welcome to attend a party at the newly opened Bahama Breeze Island Grille, located on International Speedway.<\/p>\n
Skyler Burrel will play an acoustic set at 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10, and the event is free to the public. During the festival, doors will be open at noon and music starts at 1 p.m. Among the entertainers will be local and nationally known groups such as Tommy Castro and the Painkillers, Betty Lou Fox, and Grand Marquis, which will headline the opening day. On Saturday, Oct 12, Hadden Seyers, Biscuit Miller, and Ronnie Baker Brooks take the stage.<\/p>\n
Also on Saturday, starting at 1 p.m. attendees 21+ have the opportunity to sample up to three microbrews out of the eight microbrews and 25 craft beers offered. The tasting is free of charge when attendees present their ticket. Sunday, Oct 13, the last day of the festival, local legend Victor Wainwright closes the show and brings along Alex P. Sutter, and Too Slim and The Tail Draggers to close the festival.<\/p>\n
The annual event pays homage to Anthony \u201cBenji\u201d Benecasa, a local musician who wished to start a national music festival with roots in the Daytona Beach area. Benecasa was an accomplished drummer who picked up the instrument when he was 12 years old, and was playing weddings, dance halls and parties at the age of 14. In 1964, Benecasa\u2019s band was set to play the World\u2019s Fair, but because of his young age and teenage ways, Benecasa was grounded and the band played without him. After settling down in his later years, Benecasa moved to Daytona in 2000 and began playing at The Bike and Blues Bar in Daytona. When Benecasa passed away in 2007, his brother Dominic Benecasa founded the festival as a charity in his honor.<\/p>\n
\u201cBenji was an incredible musician and wished to leave his mark on the local music scene. This festival brings all walks of life together musically. It was his wish that this festival be created,\u201d says Benecasa of his brother.<\/p>\n
Though the festival lasts three days, visitors have options when purchasing tickets. To attend the festival for one day, adult admission costs $30, but a three-day pass is $75. The festival is structured around family friendly activities such as restaurant gatherings, areas for children to play, and an open space for families to walk around and discover local vendors.<\/p>\n
The festival offers a 50 percent discount for students with valid student IDs. Admission is free for those under age 14. Tickets are available for preorder on the Daytona Blues Festival website (daytonabluesfestival.com) and options to purchase hotel packages are listed. Hotel packages allow non-local attendees to stay close to the festival and get a deal on nightly room prices. Tickets will be available for purchase during the festival as well.<\/p>\n
All proceeds from ticket sales go towards the Women and Children\u2019s Halifax Health Center to benefit mothers who need financial assistance with prenatal care.<\/p>\n
Benecasa expressed his concern for the health of the community, saying \u201cIn this area especially, women and children who are underprivileged have nowhere to turn when the medical bills start piling up. The Halifax Health Center is one of the only centers in Volusia County that is publicly funded, meaning women without insurance or other means cannot be turned away. This causes the health center to lose money and if the center loses funding, it will close and these women will have nowhere to turn to help their children.\u201d<\/p>\n
Profits from last year\u2019s festival raised $16,000 for the health center and helped Halifax purchase new equipment and beds.<\/p>\n
Aside from the initial ticket price, attendees are given the opportunity to donate $20 to the Donation for Delaney Guitar Drawing. The rules of the contest state that one custom-made Delaney guitar will be awarded to the winner of the drawing. The drawing will take place during the weekend of the festival and the winner will be contacted after the festival has ended.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Katy Kleinginna In Motion Staff Writer For Daytona Beach residents, Fall brings forth cooler weather, shorter days and a blues festival. The Daytona Beach Blues Festival takes place in downtown Daytona at the Jackie Robinson Memorial Ball Park, located at 105 E. Orange Ave. in Daytona Beach. Extending from Oct. Continue reading Blues Festival benefits smallest patients<\/span>