Events

Columbia Pike Blues Fest Returns Saturday

The 23rd annual Columbia Pike Blues Festival will take place this Saturday (June 16) from 1-8:30 p.m.

The event is free and will take place near the intersection of S. Walter Reed Drive and Columbia Pike. Singer/songwriter Don Bryant will headline the festival, which features blues, R&B and funk performers of regional and national acclaim.

Performances begin at 1 p.m. with Three Man Soul Machine, who will be followed by Caz Gardiner at 2 p.m. and King Soul Band at 3:30 p.m. Nikki Hill will take the stage at 5 p.m. ahead of Bryant’s 6:45 p.m. set.

The festival will also offer activities in the Arlington Art Truck, a reading from Arlington poet laureate Katherine E. Young, arts and crafts for sale from local artists and businesses, such as Hannah Huthwaite and Marney and Swa, as well as food, drink and booths from vendors and community organizations.

Saturday’s weather forecast calls for near-perfect weather: partly cloudy skies and a high of 85 degrees.

As in past years, the event will prompt several road closures from around 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturday, according to a county press release.

A full list of road closures is below:

  • Walter Reed Drive, from Columbia Pike to 9th Street S. (detour: 7th Street S. westbound to Highland Street)
  • 9th Road, from S. Garfield Street to Walter Reed Drive
  • 9th Street, from S. Highland Street to Walter Reed Drive

Photo courtesy Columbia Pike Documentary Project