(Letter to the Editor - Graphic Illustration/MetroCreativeConnection)

On behalf of the board of the BJFM (Blues, Jazz, and Folk Music) Society of the Mid-Ohio Valley, we want to thank everyone involved with making our 30th River City Blues Festival a great success.

As always, we had wonderful support from our volunteers who helped in so many ways to make each yearly festival a success. Without them, we could never have had such a smooth-running festival. We have had wonderful support from many, many local businesses in the past. This year we had outstanding support from a great set of sponsors.

Our heartfelt thanks to Dr. David George and The Eye MDs, Dr. and Mrs. F.G. Powderly; 3D Construction; Wesbanco, and the Marietta Convention and Visitors Bureau for their generous support of both the BJFM Society generally and for help with our BITS (Blues in the Schools) program, which we are starting up again this fall.

For the 30th year, the Lafayette Hotel provided their wonderful ballroom as well as an historic and comfortable hotel environment. We appreciated the Marietta Microtel Inn and Suites for their help in housing the artists. The Microtel, Hampton Inn, Comfort Suites and Fairfield Inn also provided discounts for audience members. We appreciate the supportive publicity from WTAP, The Parkersburg News and Sentinel and The Marietta Times, and Emily Votaw at WOUB Public Radio.

Finally, we appreciate the audience members who came out in great numbers to hear the superb nationally and internationally known acts from all over the United States. We not only had people from our local area but also from Florida, California, Illinois, New England, as well as Ohio, West Virginia, Pennsylvania and other nearby states, which helped our local economy. There were both first-time attendees as well as those who were coming for their 20th or more time.

With all this support, you can see why we are looking forward to our 31st festival on Friday and Saturday, March 15-16 in 2024! Visit us at www.bjfm.org or on Facebook for upcoming events.

Jay Phillips and all the BJFM Society Board Members

Marietta