Ninth Annual New England Blues Festival

August 16, 2014 Ninth Annual New England Blues Festival

The Ninth Annual New England Blues Festival was held on the grounds of Middleboro’s Lodge of Elks on Saturday, August 16, 2014. Hosted and sponsored by Free Bird Times Publishing Co., the event was a day long affair starting at noon and finishing at 7:30 p.m.
Established as a 501 © (3) tax-exempt organization with all contributions being tax deductible, the New England Blues Festival. Com Inc., is an event which supports our armed forces and benefited the Middleboro Lodge of Elks # 1274 Veterans Services and the Saint Vincent DePaul Food Pantry.
The Lodge of Elks hosts monthly dinners for veterans and assists veterans with benefits at local hospitals. In addition, the Lodge also sends donations to veterans through the State Commander, according to Richard Tinkham, Lodge chaplain.
Opening the day long program at noon were members of the Simeon L. Nickerson Post 64 American Legion, who were members of the Middleboro Veterans Council Honor Guard, when they presented and posted the Colors under the direction of co-ordinator Bruce Wright. The Call to the Colors was played by bugler Walter Campbell, Jr.
Karen Blair, publisher of the Free Bird Times, dedicated the program to recently deceased Colonel Elliot (Bud) Snyder a three war veteran with service in the United States Navy 1945 WW2 ceasefire-1948; Naval Reserve 1948-50; U.S. Army 1952-1981.
Ms. Blair has established a web site for veterans, which offers general information about the Veterans Administration and also will have veteran news. Those wishing to access the site can do so by searching www.FALL-INMILITARYNEWS.US.
Appearing in the Blues Festival were Wolf and the Jam Daddies; Brianna Grace & The Cricket Creek Band; and, Janet Ryan & Straight Up.
The Honor Guard closed the program by retiring the colors at 7:05 p.m.
(Written/photo by Bob Lessard Historian 2014 )