Lancaster Roots and Blues

January 26, 2022

6 Tips for Attending Lancaster Roots and Blues Festival 2022

Lancaster Roots and Blues
Source: Lancaster Roots and Blues Facebook Page

Mark your calendar for July 9 - 10 as the 2022 Roots & Blues Festival once again heats up the Lancaster music scene. If you missed it in the past, don’t make that same mistake again!

This year’s event will feature performances by over 70+ of the very best blues artists from across the country at 7 different venues on multiple stages—all within just a few blocks of each other in Lancaster City. Pretty convenient, right?

Check out the Roots and Blues Festival’s website for a detailed listing of the amazing talent you can see and hear. The music covers a variety of genres including r&b, jazz, folk, funk, roots reggae, rock, and more.

This Blog is All About Lancaster Roots and Blues

1.  Sampling of Performers at the 2022 Roots n Blues Festival

Want a small sampling of the fabulous music you’ll enjoy? A few of the fantastic musicians performing at this year's Lancaster Roots & Blues fest are:  Toronzo Cannon (deep, contemporary Chicago Blues), Ana Popovich (phenomenal 6 piece band), Jimmy Vivino (bandleader from Conan O'Brian), Lonnie Shields (Delta-born guitarist singer-songwriter), Empire Strikes Brass (supremely fun band), Charlie Apicella & Iron City feat. Don Braden (GREAT jazz) and Swamp Dixon (powerful soul & blues singer!).

Here's a link to the full lineup: 

2.  The venues for the 2022 music festival include:

  • Fulton Theater | 12 North Prince Street
  • Holiday Inn Lancaster | 26 E. Chestnut Street
  • Lancaster Convention Center  | 25 S. Queen Street
  • Marriott Penn Square | 25 S. Queen Street
  • Tellus360 | 24 E. King Street
  • The Elk's Lodge | 219 N. Duke Street
  • Zoetropolis | 114 N. Water Street

You can easily walk the short distance between all venues.

3.  Ticket Prices & Options

General Admission:

General admission tickets will get you in to see all shows except the few that are VIP only.  That said, the General Admission (GA) level tickets will still give you more music than you could possibly see.

VIP Passes:

VIP tickets provide attendees an extra special experience for anyone who wants to make it a special weekend and like to support the festival. The VIP tickets always sell out in advance. Note: VIP tickets will be dated for July 9 and 10, 2022, just like the General Admission Tickets, but there will be a VIP event on Friday the 8th as noted.

Here's what you get with the purchase of a VIP Pass:

VIP-Only Events

    • New for 2022, Roots and Blues is hosting a VIP-only concert on Friday evening, July 8. This is before the festival opens for the weekend on Saturday and Sunday July 9 and 10. There will be great live music with complimentary hors d'oeuvres. VIPs will be able to pick up your Lanyard credentials at this event on Friday so you can then go straight to your favorite concert on Saturday. (Don't worry, if you cant make it Friday, you can still pick up lanyard at the box office on Saturday or Sunday.)
    • The tradition of a Saturday afternoon VIP party continues. This time the party will be in the Fulton Theater in their newly constructed event space. The Fulton just finished a $30 million dollar renovation and is one of the most beautiful theaters in America. The party is from 4:00 to 6:00 pm. There will be live music and a variety of food provided by local restaurants and one complimentary beer or wine.

VIP Reserved Seating

    • VIP seating area in the center of Freedom Hall (Where the main stage is.) Look for the Bobby Rahal Lexus of Lancaster County sign at entrance to seating area. You are not obligated to sit in this area, but they do have good site lines. This seating area will be open all three days of the festival.
    • New for 2022, a second large stage- in the Commonwealth Ballroom at the Marriott and this too will feature a VIP seating area, just like the main stage.

VIP Meet & Greets

    • There are several VIP meet and greets with some of our main artists throughout the weekend. Artists to be announced.

4.  Where to Eat During Lancaster Roots & Blues

There are so many fantastic restaurants in downtown Lancaster PA, within walking distance of the Lancaster Roots and Blues Festival venues.  Here are TEN of our favorite downtown Lancaster restaurants:

  • Southern Market Food Hall | 100 S Queen St, Lancaster | website
  • Annie Bailey's | 28-30 E King St, Lancaster | website
  • Rachel's Cafe Creperie | 201 W Walnut St, Lancaster | website
  • 551 West | 551 W King St, Lancaster | website
  • Lancaster Brewing Company | 302 N Plum St, Lancaster | website
  • Max's Eatery | 38 W King St, Lancaster | 38 W King St, Lancaster | website
  • The Lancaster Dispensing Company | 33 - 35 N Market St, Lancaster | website
  • Prince Street Cafe | 15 N Prince St, Lancaster | website
  • Isaac's Brewhouse | 25 N Queen St, Lancaster | website
  • Shot & Bottle | 2 N Queen St, Lancaster | website

 

5.  Where to Park for the Roots and Blues Fest

There's plenty of parking in Lancaster City between street parking, open-air lots and multi-level parking garages.  Here are some lots we recommend:

  • Penn Square Garage:  25 E Vine St, Lancaster
  • Steinman Parking Garage:  25 E Vine St, Lancaster
  • Hager Parking Lots:  40 N Market St
  • Grant Street Parking Lot:  37 N Christian St, Lancaster
  • Prince Street Garage:  111 N Prince St, Lancaster
  • East King Street Garage:  150 E King St, Lancaster

6.  You Should Stay at a Historic Bed and Breakfast!

colonial mansion Best of all, when you stay at the Historic Smithton Inn, you’ll be just a short 20-minute drive from where all the action will take place. Call us to reserve your room for that weekend, or make your reservation online.

Visit the Lancaster Roots & Blues Festival website for complete details about the event, including performance schedules and ticket information.

This Blog is All About Roots and Blues

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