Blues & Ribs fest, baseball-style

SOUTH BEND -- The Blues & Ribs Festival grew this year, attracting even more fans at Coveleski Stadium.

By the time Jimmie Vaughan & The Tilt-A-Whirl Band took the stage at 8 p.m. Saturday, some 2,500 people were in the house. That's 500 more than attended last year.

Spread out on the infield, sitting at tables in the picnic area, and hanging out in stadium seats, blues lovers soaked up the sun and the tunes all day long.

In addition to Vaughan, who is the late Stevie Ray Vaughan's older brother, concert-goers heard The Elwood Splinters Blues Band, a local group; Blue Lunch, a Cleveland-based band; and The Siegel-Schwall Band, among others.

Nine hours into the event, Phil St. Clair, director of South Bend's Department of Parks and Recreation, said the Cove was serving as an outstanding venue for the festival, which was previously held at Howard Park.

Last week, Joe Hart, Silver Hawks president, said he welcomed the festival, along with other community events, to the Cove.

"When the parks department first approached us, we were certainly willing and excited to do it," Hart said of hosting the event.

Some people who attend, Hart said, may have never been to the Cove. And, he hopes they like it enough to come back for a ballgame.

"A lot of times," he said, "people will be like , 'Ah, I'm not a baseball fan.' But in the minor league, 80 to 85 percent of people who go (to games) aren't die-hard baseball fans. They're just out for a night of fun."

Ellen Staton, along with husband David Staton, came from Plymouth for Saturday's festival. It was her first visit to the Cove.

Would she come back for a game?

"Oh, yeah!" she said.

Kevin Rooney, from South Bend, said he definitely preferred the Cove as a venue for the concert.

"I think everyone thinks this is better," he said. "There's no real focal point at Howard Park."

St. Clair, meanwhile, wants to ensure the main purpose of the festival isn't forgotten.

The net profits will benefit Miracle Park, a yet-to-be-built recreational facility for children and young adults with special needs.

Saturday's opening ceremony included more than 100 of those kids.

As for bringing the event back to the Cove next year, St. Clair said he expects the parks department will do just that.

For the Silver Hawks' Hart, that's a welcome prospect.

"Obviously, it's a public-owned facility," he said. "We want to be good community partners."

Staff writer Kim Kilbride:
kkilbride@sbtinfo.com
574-247-7759

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