This post is about our experience at the Winthrop Rhythm and Blues Festival so if you are not interested in blues music, I would suggest you skip this post.

On my facebook feed as we were heading there, this photo of William from 9 years ago at Winthrop showed up.  It made me smile.

Here is the line up for this year.

Our friends Jeff and Anne came down from B.C. on Tuesday, and we had dinner at our place.  Then on Wednesday we headed out and camped at Early Winters campground again.  It was really nice there,

Then Thursday morning we headed to the blues ranch to get our camping for the weekend.

Here are some of the campground sights.

Friday morning we got in line to place our chairs at the venue.

Then Tom and I walked into town.  It was a little warm so we decided to stop at the Methow Vally Ciderhouse for a drink.  I love their taps.

They were still serving breakfast, with some of our favorites offered.  So we decided to partake.  I had the Eggs Benedict, and Tom had chicken fried steak.  Both were amazing, and this may be part of our routine going forward.

We continued our walk into town.  I saw this sign, and it made me think about the workers that have been fired.  But we also bought some cherries and peaches from the vendor in the parking lot.

We did our usual shopping in Winthrop and drinking at Three Fingered Jack’s.  We grabbed a shuttle and went back to the Blues Ranch.  There we saw The Heavy Heavy,

and then enjoyed Zydeco with CJ Chenier & the Red Hot Louisiana Band.

 

Then we went to the Beer Garden to hear Ben Rice and the PDX Hustle.  We remember seeing him for the first time at the Winthrop street dance when he was just a teenager.

On Saturday I had the bright idea of making Peach Bellinis with the peaches from the fruit stand.  They are really good.

We headed to the venue and saw Luke Winslow King and Roberto Luti and then Sugaray Rayford.  He was amazing again.

Then there was Samantha Fish.  She was amazing, as always.

 

 

On Sunday we saw Luke Winslow King and Roberto Luti again.  They were great to open the day with.

We did head to the river for a quick dip in the water.

Then it was time for Too Slim and the Taildraggers!  He was amazing as always.  I started seeing him in the 1990s at the Wild Buffalo in Bellingham.  And he has been at 37 of the 38 Winthrop Blues Festivals.  There were some technical issues with his vocals in the performance, but it was great seeing him again.

 

Then was Diggin’ Dirt.  We had missed them the last year.  And they were absolutely incredible.

 

Then was Tab Benoit with Too Slim.

 

We headed to the Beer Garden and saw a local band, Crunk Monks.  They were fun.

Then came the Methow Juke Joint Allstars.  This included members of Angelique Francis’ band.  We had missed them perform on stage, which was a mistake.  They were amazing in the garden.

 

Then members of Diggin’ Dirt joined in.  It was incredible!  This was the highlight of my experience.

 

I especially loved the tribute to Sly.

 

We had a wonderful Winthrop experience.  Last year, with the hot weather and my health, I wasn’t sure I would be back.  I am so glad we did though.  It was really nice having a small contingent this year.  I am sorry that John, Andrea and family didn’t make it.  It was a great show!

I am not sure what it is about blues music, sunshine, friends, our camper van and a diverse crowd enjoying themselves, but it renews me.  I am so thankful.