Blues fans, young and old, enjoyed the 34th Rentiesville’s Dusk Til Dawn Blues Festival put on by Selby Minner , staff and volunteers this past weekend. The Labor Day festival that started in 1991 with the late D.C. Minner and Selby has become an incredible 3-day event enjoyed by “Blues” fans from near and far. This recent festival packed in the fans with 50 bands performing on three different stages from 5 p.m. to 5 a.m. with something to entertain everyone.
Every year vendors grace the grounds with some great BBQ from Sam’s Famous BBQ, corn dogs, funnel cake and more. Wild Mike’s Enterprises had homemade salsa, pickles, jerky and delicious cheesecake that they sold out of every night. There were also booths to shop at or get your caricature made plus the younger children could dress up, play with puppets or get their faces painted at the Kid’s Village.
Several musicians from across the states joined the lineup this year to include Zac Harmon, who just came back from Europe; Watermelon Slim from Clarksdale, MS; 2024 IBC Award Winners Piper & the Hard Times from Nashville, TN; Main McMann from Wichita, KS; Lem Sheppard from Pittsburg, KS; Akeem Kemp from Conway, AR and many more to include Oklahoma locals like Slick Willie, Carl Moore, and even Warner HS Band.
The highlight of one young man’s Saturday night included Akeem Kemp letting the boy join him on the main stage and hold the musician’s guitar while Kemp played it, as the boy’s dad hooped and hollered for them to rock on.
Fifty bands packed out the weekend and provided a rich showcase for all ages.
“All the bands were great.” said Minner, who has hosted the event for decades. “So many bands want to play on these stages each year and that says a lot.”
The gates opened at 4 p.m. each day with several bands that performed in the Down Home Blues Club while others played the two outdoor stages until midnight. Afterwards the headliners came inside the club and played the wee morning hours.
A beautiful new sign was donated by a sponsor to point the way for fans to get to the Rentiesville’s event, while Minner thanked everyone for making this year a huge success.
