Blues & BBQ, a Summer Staple, Returns on July 13
North Liberty’s summer tradition in Centennial Park is July 13, 2024, the 16th year of Blues & BBQ presented by Veridian Credit Union. Here’s everything you need to know, but there’s even more at northlibertyblues.org.
The five Ws
- Who: You, and everyone you know.
- What: A day of music, food and fun for everyone, with free admission and parking.
- Where: Centennial Park, 1565 St Andrews Dr.
- When: Saturday, July 13. Free kids’ inflatables run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., headliner starts at 9 p.m. and there’s food and drink and music all day.
- Why: It’s North Liberty’s signature summer event, it’s free and it’s fun.
What’s happening when
- 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Free inflatables with the support of South Slope Cooperative Communications
- 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Barbecue vendors open on Junge Ford BMW North Liberty Food Vendor Alley
- 11 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. Iowa Craft Beer Tent serves in the Thompson & Co. beverage garden
- 11 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Live blues and blues-inspired music curated by The Englert Theater on the GreenState Credit Union stage
- 11 p.m. Grounds close
Who’s playing when
- 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. ELI
- 12:30 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. Charlotte Blu
- 2:00 to 3:00 p.m. Cedar County Cobras
- 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. David Zollo & The Body Electric
- 5:00 to 6:30 p.m. Blake Shaw Big(ish) Band
- 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Jeremie Albino
- 9 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. The White Buffalo
What to bring (and leave at home)
- Besides your appetite (for food and fun), bring a chair, bring a blanket and bring friends.
- Guests are encouraged to bring along a water bottle that can be refilled at our free ice water stations.
- Don’t bring your own outside alcohol or your pet.
- Even with more than 16,000 square feet of tents erected for the event, many guests still choose to bring personal shade. Small umbrellas and portable shades are welcome, but please don’t bring a pop up tents or other shade structures that can block sightlines.
Food and drink
There’s plenty of barbecue — and other treats — being served on Junge Ford BMW North Liberty Food Vendor Alley. Vendors this year include Cynful Smokers BBQ, Luna’s Taqueria of Iowa City, TC Bonez BBQ, Da Flava Unit, Moo Moo’s Ice Cream, Yolanda’s, Hy-Vee, Amos Deans, Wildwood, Optimist Club of North Liberty, Marco’s Grilled Cheese, Hatchett’s BBQ, T&T BBQ and Poimen Bosko. Vendors are open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. We’ll crown a BBQ champion before lunch.
The Iowa Craft Beer Tent has Iowa brews for all tastes, including non-alcoholic, ciders and seltzers, with a range from lighter to darker and IPAs, in the Thompson & Co. beverage garden. The beverage garden serves from 11 a.m. to 9:45 p.m. Tickets, each good for a pint pour, are $7 each or 3 for $20. Sales are cash only, but we’ll have ATMs available on site. Alcohol is not allowed outside the beverage garden.
How to get there
- Centennial Park is at 1565 St Andrews Dr.
- Trail and sidewalks make getting to Centennial Park on foot or by bike a snap. Bike parking will be available at the park near the rock playground.
- Grass parking will be available at Centennial Park. Once the park is full, overflow hard-surface and grass parking will be available at North Bend Elementary just 1/2 mile away. All parking is free.
- Hard-surface ADA parking will be available at Centennial Park for those with a placard. A special entrance to the concert grounds for those with mobility and assistance needs is available at the end of the sidewalk through the rock playground.
You also might be wondering
- Beer ticket sales are cash only. Some vendors accept credit cards. There will be ATMs at the park.
- Toilets and handwashing stations are, of course, available on the grounds.
- Please leave your dog at home. As much as we love dogs, the number of people who attend each year means we need to ask your dog, no matter how well behaved, to stay home.
- The use of tobacco, nicotine, vape and other electronic smoking devices are prohibited in North Liberty parks, trails and public recreation areas.
Volunteer
It takes a volunteer force of nearly 300 people to put on this all-ages, family-friendly party. Volunteers, supported by Kwik Star, receive a special Blues & BBQ 2024 T-shirt for volunteers only, a voucher towards food or drink, water delivered to you, a fanny pack with cool things from our sponsors, community service hours credit and get to be part of a GREAT time. Volunteers are need for setup, takedown and especially everything in between. Sign up to help out at northlibertyblues.org/volunteer.
Who to thank
Blues & BBQ is made possible by Veridian Credit Union, GreenState Credit Union, Junge Ford BMW of North Liberty, South Slope Cooperative Communications, Thompson & Co Salon Parlor, Kwik Star, North Liberty Optimists, Strand Associates, Think North Liberty, MidWestOne Bank, Hills Bank, Eastern Iowa Airport – CID, Urban Acres Real Estate, A2Z Heating & Plumbing, Collins Community Credit Union, University of Iowa Health Care, Centro Incorporated, The Englert Theatre, Eco Care, Sun and Fun RV, ICAN, Z102.9, UNITS of Central Iowa, and the City of North Liberty.
Stay in the loop
Any cancellations or delays will be posted in the Facebook event.
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Accessibility
We’re committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation at our events for individuals with disabilities.
For accommodations, please reach out to [email protected] or call (319) 626-5755.
More City Slate Fun
This event is part of the City Slate, a compilation of North Liberty’s largest and free city-produced events. Explore the schedule at northlibertyiowa.org/cityslate.