Riverhead Blues Festival Set For Rebirth Downtown

RIVERHEAD, NY — It's back! One of the most popular events ever presented downtown returns this year as the Riverhead Blues Festival is born again.

The festival, presented by Riverhead Townscape and dubbed "Blues by the River," takes place Saturday, September 9, from noon to 6 p.m. at Riverhead Town Square. Gates open at 10:30 a.m.

Tickets, which cost $35, are on sale here; kids 11 and under are free.

"It's going to be great," said Lisa Pickersgill, owner of the Robert James Salon in Riverhead. "I have been listening to so many clients and people from Riverhead saying they missed and loved the Blues Festival."

The Riverehead Blues & Music Festival, which launched in 1999, brought thousands of people to the Peconic Riverfront. First hosted by the Riverhead Business Improvement District, the event was later presented by the Vail-Leavitt Music Hall, beginning in 2006, and the last show took place in 2012.

This year, the lineup includes Kerry Kearney and the Kings of Psychedelia, featuring Michael Falzarano, Lex Grey and the Urban Pioneers, Jack Licitra and South Bay Soul, Gene Casey and the Lone Sharks, and Kane Daily and the Roadhouse Dawgs.

Funds raised will benefit Riverhead Townscape — led by President Jim Warner, the organization is a 501c3 non-profit that presents the Riverhead Country Fair, hangs baskets of flowers to beautify Riverhead, and funds the arms for the veterans' banners that hang downtown, Pickersgill, a member of the group, said.

The organization, she said, also presents the Thursday night free concert series at 7 p.m. in Town Square and donates the Christmas Tree to Town Square. Pickersgill said she met Warner when he joined the Riverhead Chamber of Commerce board, where she also serves.

"I wanted to get the blues back," said Pickersgill, adding that Phil and Linda Gatz, who were involved with the festival for years, as well as Diane and Glenn Sherman, were "all longtime friends of my father's and of the Riverhead community." They, too, missed the festival, Pickersgill said.

"They were truly the advocates that pushed me to bring the idea forward," she said.

Ray Pickersgill, Lisa's father, was a bright light in the Riverhead business community and former BID president. He was the creative force behind many popular events — including Alive on 25, the Cardboard Boat Race, the indoor Farmers Market, lighting in the business district, fireworks, and the well-loved antique car show — that drew crowds to the downtown he worked so hard to revitalize.

Pickersgill died in 2020 after a battle with the coronavirus.

BID members asked Pickersgill to join in 2021; she is now a vice present of the group, she said. When she first presented the idea for the Blues Festival to the BID and the Chamber of Commerce were both "extremely busy" with events including Alive on 25, the Cardboard Boat Race, Halloween events, the Santa parade and bonfire, and more, she said.

"Next, I volunteered for Townscape and brought the idea to Jim Warner and his amazing group and he thought it was a great idea. Then Phil got me Kerry Kearney's phone number, and he met with us," Pickersgill said.

"The process to bring it back, as much as it’s a lot of work — Jim and I agree that we find it’s fun, and it’s going to be so great to have it back. We love our town."

Those attending the event, which will take place at Town Square and on the Peconic Riverfront, will be able to park at the courthouse or train station, walk downtown, and enjoy meals at local eateries both before and after the event, she said.

Pickersgill added that to get the party started, blues master G.E. Smith will also perform at The Suffolk on Sept. 7 at 8 p.m.

"We are looking to encourage all local people and businesses in this; Melissa Pressler has designed our duck and worked with Jim on our website," Pickersgill said.

Food vendors will also be onhand, Pickergill said.

Pickersgill said all involved thanked the Riverhead Town board for voting "yes" and supporting the community event.

The vision is one her father would have embraced, Pickersgill said.

"I think my father would absolutely enjoy how absolutely amazing all the events are and be so proud to see the town — 20 years after he felt Riverhead would be amazing. It is becoming all of that! The greatest part is all the groups coming together to make all the events nothing short of incredible."