The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Chasing the blues with music, and bourbon, too

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The Annual Pasco Blues Festival, at Heritage Park in Land O’ Lakes, has always been a staple of live music, local food and vendors and a bluesy, rocking good time every February.

But this year, the event took a shot and added something new: It added bourbon tastings.

Hundreds attended the Seventh Annual Pasco Blues Festival on Feb. 18, at Heritage Park in Land O’ Lakes, all out to enjoy some lively music, local food, and free bourbon samples (a new addition to the year’s event). (Mike Camunas)

Those attending the Feb. 18 event could taste samples of bourbon, whiskey, rye whiskey and even cocktails featuring those liquors.

Distilleries taking part in the event included Cleveland Whiskey, WhistlePig Whiskey, Redwood Empire Whiskey, Tarpon Springs Distillery, Three Chord Bourbon, Old Forester and Ammunition Bourbon.

Several local food vendors were at the event with their offerings for hungry patrons. Those included Sweet Suga’ Grillin’, Gigglewaters Food Truck, TK-Oh Burgers, Divinos Tacos, Always Fresh SusSus Gyros & more and Let’s Get Toasted Grilled Cheese. Casey’s Lemonade was there, too.

Entertainment, on the breezy afternoon, began with a local blues hero, Alex Lopez & The Express. Then, Grammy-nominated Canadian Blues Star Crystal Shawanda played songs from her latest album, “Midnight Blues,” and to close out the event,  St. Louis chart-topper Jeremiah Johnson, performed songs from his latest album, “Hi-fi Drive.”

The Pasco Blues Festival started in 2017 with a small shindig called the Wings BBQ & Blues Festival starring Troy Youngblood, at the Cheval Golf & Athletic Club in Lutz.

As the concert grew and the audience expanded, the festival was moved to Heritage Park.

After the concert stage was built that same year, the event sought top Blues artists from Florida and beyond.

Some artists that have performed at the festival include Steve Arvey, Pasco Lefty, Memphis Lightning and Double Your Trouble: Stevie Ray Vaughn Tribute.

Adult beverage sales benefited the Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel to support the Bridging Freedom Foundation to build a transitional home in Tampa for young children saved from human trafficking. 

To learn more about the Bridging Freedom Foundation at the Rotary Club of Wesley Chapel, visit WCRotary.com/buildthathome.

Published March 01, 2023

Eboni Reed, left, and Donette Howe enjoy a coconut drink and some bluesy music during the Seventh Annual Pasco Blues Festival on Feb. 18, at Heritage Park in Land O’ Lakes. Three popular Blues artists performed throughout the afternoon.’
Lutz residents Jewel Brown, left, and Jerry Brown jam out to the belting beats and wailing lyrics of Grammy-nominated Canadian Blues Star Crystal Shawanda.
From left: Land O’ Lakes residents Mike Piltaver, Mike Gault and Steve Koenis enjoy a good laugh while grabbing another small bourbon sample at the Seventh Annual Pasco Blues Festival on Feb. 18, at Heritage Park. In this iteration of the event, six distilleries were on hand to pass out bourbon samples to guests.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

St. Pete resident Lisa Casey walks her dog, Giggles, through the blues festival in Land O’ Lakes.
Grammy-nominated Canadian Blues Star Crystal Shawanda is all smiles as her daughter, Zhaa-Zhaa, sings a chorus to one of Shawanda’s hit songs.
This year’s Annual Pasco Blues Festival included a new element: free bourbon samples from six distilleries on hand for an afternoon of boozy and bluesy fun.

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