Bluegill Music Festival

 MARCH 16, 2015- Bluegill Music Festival (BMF) will launch its inaugural event on July 4, 2015 for a one-day festival packed with some of country music's hottest acts. The all-day festival will be complete with Southern Illinois' largest fireworks display, along the shores of the Rend Lake Dam, in Benton, IL. The lineup includes Eli Young Band, LoCash, Clayton Anderson and more exciting acts to be announced. Tickets will go on sale this Friday, March 20th and can be purchased at www.bluegillfest.com and at Black Diamond Harley Davidson. 

Drawing fans from around the country, including Illinois, Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee and Indiana, the festival is at the intersection of some of the nation's most dedicated country music fans. BMF will feature nationally recognized BBQ vendors from around the country.  Interactive entertainment for fans will also include activations, like:  bags, washers, bubble soccer, Illinois longest slip n' slide, helicopter rides from Black Diamond Harley Davidson, a mechanical bull, a kids area with a large inflatable slide and the "Bluegill Lagoon", featuring a 60'x100' VIP beach, with cabanas, private wading pools & lounge area. Additionally, Southern Illinois' largest fireworks display will begin at 9:30pm, and is free for all guests. 

BMF founder, Andrew "Finnigan" Hart, hails from Benton, IL where he started his radio career at the age of 14 at Q106.3. Andrew is currently the Evening Host, weekdays, 7pm-midnight, on 101.9 The Mix, in Chicago. "I've always had a passion for live music and I really wanted to find a way to give back to the community that has supported me throughout my career," said Hart.

As in previous years, the fireworks show and access to the North Grounds (Map on BMF website) will be free to the public from 11:00am-12 midnight. The free area in the North Grounds will include food and beverage for purchase, free live music, a kids zone, and other fun activities for all ages.  

FULL LINE UP: (More to be announced) 

Athena Perez

Cadillac Jones Band

Clayton Anderson

Dave Clark Band

Eli Tellor

Eli Young Band

F-150

Hertlyn Rae

LoCash

Mipso

Mocking Bird Hill

Mockingbird Sun 

Murphy 500

Old Salt Union

Taylor Kearney

The Bankesters

We Got it Covered

DATE: Saturday, July 4, 2015

 TIME: All Parking Lots open at 10:00am, Gates open at 10:30am, Music begins at 11:00amand the festival concludes at 12-midnight. Parking lot maps are located on the BMF website.

 LOCATION: Rend Lake Dam

10833 Rend Lake Dam Road

Benton, IL 62812

 TICKETS: Tickets can be purchased online at www.bluegillfest.com and at Black Diamond Harley Davidson, located at 2400 Williamson County Pkwy, Marion, IL 62959.

COST: $20 for the first 3 days, starting March 20th (ends: March 22nd at midnight).

March 23-July 3: Tickets will be $30

July 4th (Day Of): $40

VIP Tickets and Packages are available on the BMF website.

Admission is free for children six and under.

INFO: Find more info at www.bluegillfest.com