BEST FESTIVAL BEST LIVE MUSIC EVENT in the PAST 12 MONTHS

Old Capitol Blues & BBQs When it comes to festivals, central Illinois sure likes ’em and most use live music performances as an integral part of the program. No wonder then, readers combined the categories of Best Festival and Best Live Music Event in the Past 12 Months through the voting process. The Old Capitol Blues & BBQs was the clear winner in both by hundreds of votes, absolutely establishing this event as the capital city favorite. Most likely it’s the combination of nationally known acts with up and comers, the Illinois Central Blues Club International Blues Challenge contest and the tasty BBQs served up by vendors that makes this the popular event it is. Hosted by Downtown Springfield, Inc., and sponsored by many local businesses the OCB&Bs is truly a community effort to bring food, music and people together for a weekend of fun and frolic in the downtown area. Other events receiving substantial numbers of votes include St. Patrick’s Day and the Chatham Sweetcorn Festival. Luke Bryan at the Sangamon County Fair and Miranda Lambert and Eric Church at the Illinois State Fair scored up there in the Live Music Event balloting with lots of reader comments about those three nationally known acts. Runner-up: Best Festival - Fat Ass 5K. Runner-up: Best Live Music Event in the Past 12 Months - SOHO Fest