The Lake Cumberland Blues, Boats and BBQ Festival is returning to State Dock this year and gets underway June 18th and 19th. Starting as an idea from a few musicians getting together after-hours at the dock, the event is rapidly growing into one of the region’s premier musical attractions.

“State Dock has provided us with a very unique opportunity to hold this festival. There are some great blues festivals in Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio and Tennessee, but none can match this setting of being right on the water. It just absolutely reeks of fun,” said Pat Morley of Velveeta Jones. “And, it’s brought blues music into a relatively new market in the lake region. Last year’s one-day festival was maybe the hottest day of the entire summer, with humidity to match. Yet, boaters came off the water to see what this was all about. And, more importantly, they stayed to listen. I’m a boater too, and I don’t know that I could have done that unless it was something really, really good.”

The bands really look forward to it as well, and word is spreading quickly in the music community. They get to play to a very appreciative crowd, but while they’re not playing they get to enjoy the kick back, lake lifestyle. This has enabled us to draw some very, very good bands with a wide range of playing styles and sounds. Some of them have world tour experience, but rated our festival as one of the best they’d ever attended for it’s fun factor. I hope as we continue to grow and acquire sponsorship from local businesses, this festival will be one of the highlights of the total summer lake experience. It’s not just another party at the dock, but an event for all lovers of good music” says event coordinator Patrick Morley.

“We love the Blues here at State Dock and are excited to host eight of the best blues bands in country!  This is great family entertainment on Father’s Day weekend so dad come on down, bring the gang and enjoy some toe tapping, body swaying, cool Blues!”

Of course, no festival would be complete without the smell of hardwood-fired BBQ. Fat Man’s Paradise BBQ from Burnside will be on hand to tantalize the taste buds with their mouth-watering menu, said Debbie Schumann, one of the event organizers.

There will also be an in-water boat show that will kick-off the boating season. Area boat retailers including Unlimited Marine and Cumberland Sea Ray will tie off and exhibit their new models in a perfect showroom, the lake.

Also on display will be the 2010 Harley Davidson Dyna Super Glide motorcycle furnished by Wildcat H-D of London. This motorcycle will be raffled off the following weekend as part of the Susan G Komen Cruisin’ For The Cure annual fundraiser.  Raffle tickets are $10 and can be purchased at the festival.

The music starts Friday and Saturday evening at 6:30 and will go until midnight. Tickets are $10 each, and for slip customers $10 for both nights. Call State Dock, 270-343-2525 or go to the website: lakecumberlandbluesfest.com for more information.