West Chester’s biggest summer festival has a new name and it will be bigger than ever. The Union Centre Boulevard Blast, formerly known as the Bash, will offer a wide range of music and food Aug. 13-15.
Currently, eight bands are scheduled to perform at the three-day festival. This year’s featured bands include the Spin Doctors, who will perform Aug. 14 at 9 p.m., and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame musician Dave Mason, who will perform Aug. 15 at 8 p.m.
The first night, Aug. 14, will feature a pair of local bands in Robin Lacy & DeZydeco at 7 p.m. and Kristen Key at 9 p.m. Three other local bands, Madras Lounge, Wayward Son and July for Kings are scheduled to perform at the festival.
The other band slated to perform will be Trippin Billies, which is a Dave Matthews Tribute Band based out of Chicago. Trippin Billies will open for the Spin Doctors, Aug. 14, at 7 p.m.
There are many other great things about the festival besides the music.
“One of the biggest draws will be our restaurant section, which has gone from six or seven vendors last year to 30 this year,” said Hague Atkinson, producer of the Blast. “With that amount of options, we are approaching Taste of Cincinnati status.”
The music and food festival will also feature a Hot Wing Sting contest. Contestants will eat wings from mild to hot to insane. If they break out in a sweat or touch their brow, they will be eliminated. The contest will take place daily at the festival.
The festival will also have a lot to offer beer and wine enthusiasts.
A craft beer tent will offer more than 50 types of domestic and imported craft brews. The tent will give out six tickets for $10. Each ticket will be good for a three-ounce pour.
There will also be a wine tasting tent, which will offer more than 50 wines. The tent will give out four tickets for $10. Each ticket will be good for a two-ounce sample.
All of the activities are expected to attract a large crowd.
“Our long-term goal is to make this a regional destination event. We want people from as south as Kentucky and as north as Columbus,” Atkinson said. “We honestly believe that within three years this could grow into one of the largest festivals in the state of Ohio.”
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