ALEXANDRIA BAY — Labor Day weekend, the end of summer, brings the blues to a lot of people. The village, however, is bringing people the blues and they are enjoying it.
The 11th annual Blues in the Bay is underway and crowds of bikers, tourists and locals are enjoying the excitement before the leaves start to fall. Part of James Street is closed to vehicles and a large tent covers the stage, scattered picnic tables and foldable chairs. The bands play, rain or shine, and stores are packed with visitors.
“It’s five days of free blues music. What more could you ask for?” said Susan M. Boyer, executive director of the Alexandria Bay Chamber of Commerce. “It’s the end of the year so let’s go out with a bang for the end of summer.”
The event is expected to draw in close to 1,000 people looking for something fun to do on a weekend that traditionally wraps up summer, Mrs. Boyer said.
“Each night we have seen more and more people come,” she said. “The numbers will just grow throughout the weekend.”
The local economy benefits from the visitors.
John K. Babcock, Alexandria Bay, was sitting with his family at one of the picnic tables Saturday afternoon, listening to sound checks and bands beginning to warm up. He said events like these are important to the area because without them the village does not see much activity.
“They should do more events like these because people want to come to things like this,” he said. “It really helps pick up the economy.”
Mr. Babcock’s wife, Kara L. was sitting with their three children helping her son, Max S. 1, eat lunch.
“It’s ice cream for lunch today,” she said. “We’re just out enjoying the weekend, plus, it means only three days before school starts.”
The eyes of Zoe J. Babcock, 5, lit up at the thought.
“I’m excited for school to start because I am going to kindergarten,” she said.
Her sister, Madelyn A., 10, was not sold on the idea.
Streams of people filled the gift shops and restaurants, activity that Mrs. Boyer said continues well into the evening.
“We end kind of early so it gives people the opportunity to go and have a late dinner or do some late night shopping,” she said. “It’s one last hoorah. It’s a good time.”
The free festival continues today with Double Barrel Blues Band playing from 1 to 3 p.m., String of Pearls playing from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. followed by the headliner band, Chaz DePaolo Blues Band, from 6 to 8 p.m. On Monday, an All Star Jam hosted by Double Barrel Blues Bland will be from 1 to 4 p.m.
