The seventh annual Western Maryland Blues Fest is history and it's a measure of how well this event is run that local folks have come to expect that thousands of people will listen to music on three separate days with few if any problems. Before this year's event fades from memory, we believe some congratulations are in order.
We salute the organizing committee, which, along with city staffers, spent months organizing the event. Not only do they handle booking the artists and arranging for things like street closings and other logistical chores, they also maintain a Web site and help create a full-color program distributed through The Herald-Mail newspapers.
Then there are the sponsors, who assist with the financial burdens of the event. Without their assistance, the music that's free now would likely cost a whole lot more.
The event's many volunteers also provide services that would otherwise have to be paid for. They do everything from taking tickets to running many of the children's activities that give this event a family-friendly feel.