Delhi News Bureau

WALTON — A rainy, cold Memorial Day weekend spelled disaster for the Catskill Mountain Blues, Bikes and BBQ Festival, according to Jason Stanton, Delaware County STOP-DWI coordinator.

The two-day festival that featured Johnnie Johnson, 78, and Robert Lockwood Jr., 88 — plus seven other blues bands — only drew a crowd of 1,000 spectators, Stanton said. About 2,500 to 5,000 had been expected.

"The best part of the festival was that the music was great and the kids really enjoyed it," Stanton said. "I'm committed to bringing business and culture into Delaware County. This is my home and I want people to come here and see what a great place it is, so I want to hold the event again, with some changes."

Delaware County STOP-DWI sponsored and funded the non-alcoholic event, held on the Delaware County Fairgrounds.

Stanton said if he holds a second blues festival, it will be a one-day event, probably in July. He said he would focus on the music, featuring one headliner and several local bands.

Stanton said despite the weather, there were more than a dozen people camping on the grounds. In addition, more than 25 participants turned out for the Catskill Motorcycle River Run For Kids Sake, organized by Ray "The Ice Cream Man" Seyforth. The motorcycle tour was put off from Saturday to Sunday, Stanton said.

On March 6, the Delaware County Board of Supervisors approved a resolution to use $50,000 from existing STOP-DWI accounts to fund about half of the $99,600 anticipated festival expenses. The STOP-DWI funds are all generated by fine money from driving while intoxicated charges, Stanton said.

"I think we should all take our hats off to the supervisors for allowing this event to happen," Stanton said. "If I had it to do over again, I would ask people to do a lot of sun-dances."

Stanton said he had planned to cover the other half of the cost of the music, production and agency fees through ticket sales, camping fees, merchandise, vendors and donations.

Stanton said ticket sales generated about $10,000.

Proceeds from the motorcycle run, which totaled $400, will be donated to area hospitals, Stanton said.

———

Patricia Breakey can be reached at (607) 746-2894 or at stardelhi@stny.rr.com.