Heritage Music BluesFest Returns to Wheeling with Award-Winning Acts

The 24th Annual Heritage Music BluesFest is set to take place from August 8 to 10, 2025, at Heritage Port in downtown Wheeling, marking nearly a quarter-century of the festival's celebration of blues music. Founded by Bruce Wheeler in 2001, the festival features two stages: a main stage with national and international Blues Music Award winners, and a second stage spotlighting local and regional acts. The event offers music from afternoon until late evening each day, including special "AfterJam" sessions hosted by regional artists, providing a diverse range of blues styles from Chicago blues to more mellow sounds. Beyond the music, attendees can enjoy food vendors, craft beer, family-friendly activities, and a lively atmosphere along the Ohio Riverfront. This festival has grown into a major regional event attracting visitors from the tri-state area and beyond, with Wheeler emphasizing a fresh and varied blues experience each year. Meanwhile, the Belleville Downtown Blues Festival, scheduled for early September, highlights dynamite women in blues and features live performances, family activities, and educational events, continuing the celebration of blues music in the region.