Thursday’s Blues on Main event drew hundreds to downtown Chanute for an evening of music, food, and community.
Food trucks were set up beside Main Street Pavillion, music could be heard up the road as some walked to the festival at the Hangout on Main. While many brought lawn chairs to get a stage view of the performance, many also enjoyed the music from the picnic tables at Main Street Pavillion across the street.
“The weather cooperated. We have a fantastic crowd here tonight,” Ruthann Boatwright, director of Chanute Main Street said. “I am glad we were able to add the food trucks this year, and we are glad that the city supports our endeavors.”
This year Chanute Main Street set a goal of doubling last year’s attendance, which Boatwright said they achieved.
Chanute Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Amy Jensen said events like these can benefit local businesses due to drawing individuals directly to downtown.
Cherryl Olson, a member of the Chanute Main Street Board of Directors said she was happy that so many musicians returned to perform.
A caravan of musicians from Clarksdale attended the Blues and BBQ event Chanute Main Street held last year. This included Heather Crosse, Lee Williams Jr., and Anthony “Big A” Sherrod.
Crosse said she was excited to return to Chanute.
“It was an honor to come here last year, and to have them ask us to come back is amazing,” Crosse said.
Crosse said she enjoyed meeting new people in a community where she and other musicians are welcomed with open arms.
“That’s how they are making us feel here,” Crosse said. “It feels like home. We couldn’t believe how kind everyone was.”
According to Cross, attending blues events in Chanute has shown her that the community supports musicians.
“To see a whole community support live music, and have kids dancing, and dogs hanging out; it doesn’t get any better than this,” Crosse said.
Williams agreed that he was glad to be back in Chanute.
“I love Chanute, it’s a nice city here,” Williams said. “I hope to keep coming back.”
Some took the opportunity to dance, like Bob and Sheryl Reynolds, who own The Hillbillies
Store.
Dancing is a part of the couple’s regular routine, having met at a ballroom in Wichita. Sheryl said they have been together for 20 years, and dance in Altoona every Saturday night.
“We like all music,” Bob said.
He said dancing to blues music can be tricky, so he has to improvise and draw a mix of moves from many styles.
“I think the music is good,” Bob said. “We came last year, and decided to come back.”
Throughout the night other artists also joined in, including Randy Herron and Eric White, who helped “Doc” open the show, and David Hammer, who came to Chanute from Kansas City.
Blues musicians are often welcoming to those who wish to make music with other people and share the stage. This was displayed during Blues on Main, when local musicians Herron and Hockett played alongside Hammer, and the Clarksdale caravan of Crosse, Williams, and Sherrod. It was also displayed by Sherrod leaving the stage to perform amongst the crowd.
“I am just so happy that they came back, and that the event is growing,” Olson said.
Olson said music lovers should be aware that on June 24, a 2024 International Blues Challenge winner will be playing under the Main Street Pavillion. Waters is from Dayton, Ohio, and plays blues, funk, folk, and Americana music. Other details are still being finalized according to Olson.
To learn more about Chanute Main Street, visit their Facebook page at https://www. facebook.com/MainStreetChanute/.
