What’s New & Who’s Playing At Chilly Blues 2015

Events

It’s Chilly Blues season again!  This year, Harbor Restaurants and the Gilmore Collection are hosting the ever-popular Chili Cook Off, as well as lots of live blues throughout downtown Grand Haven.  This is the twenty-third year for the event, and with a weekend full of activities, everyone should be able to find some time to join in the fun and kickoff the summer season in Grand Haven.  Guest Blogger, Ellen Trumbo from Harbor Restaurants shares with us what’s new this year as well as the music lineup for Chilly Blues 2015!

New For Chilly Blues 2015

New this year is a Tap Takeover and Live Blues event on the Snug Harbor Deck, Friday night April 17th.  Bells Brewery will be on site with an assortment of craft beer, while the Steve Hilger Band jams under the (heated) tent!  Deck opens at 5:00, music starts at 7:00.  We will be grilling out, sampling wine, and watching the sun set out on the deck.  Steve Hilger is one of our favorite artists out of Grand Rapids.  He has played Chilly Blues in the past and always been a crowd favorite.  This is a rare chance to hear live music outdoors at one of Grand Haven’s favorite outdoor dining spots!

Friday Night’s Live Music Lineup

After the party on the Deck winds down, walk a couple of blocks to downtown and see some more of our favorite local blues acts.  The Friday night schedule features The Soul Syndicate at Kirby House, Chris Wiser Trio at Theatre Bar, Andrea Mattews at Oddside Ales, and Big Daddy Fox with the Sunday Night Jam Band at Deelite.  Music goes til the late night hours at all locations.

Saturday’s Chili Cookoff & Live Music

The Chili Cookoff at Snug Harbor starts Saturday, April 18th at noon.  Teams of chefs from around the area will build their best chili before your very eyes, and at 2:00 the sampling begins.  Cooking happens under heated tents on the upstairs deck and lower level patio.  The festivities continue inside with live music by Big Daddy Fox until 6:00 pm.  The cookoff is the longest standing part of Chilly Blues weekend, and Snug Harbor is always packed all afternoon!  We’ll be featuring beer from Bells Brewery along with wine specials to accompany the chili samples.  Local chefs and chili lovers are welcome to join the fun – please email ellenwork@charter.net to register.  We still have a couple of booths available!

Saturday Night’s Live Music Lineup

The party doesn’t end after the cookoff.  Spend Saturday night on Washington Avenue and enjoy great live blues around every corner.  The lineup includes lots of local favorites : Hank Mowery at The Grand, Rhythmskool at Deelite, Blue Train at Kirby House, Andy Frisinger at Oddside Ales, and The Vincent Hayes Project at Joe’s Wooden Nickel.

Chilly Blues At-A-Glance

– Friday April 17th and Saturday April 18th in downtown Grand Haven

– Live blues throughout downtown on both Friday and Saturday Nights

– Tap Takeover Blues Party on the Snug Harbor Deck Friday Night

– Chili Cook Off at Snug Harbor Saturday Noon-6 pm

For more information about the 23rd Annual Chilly Blues, call Snug Harbor at (616) 846-8400 or visit Snug Harbor’s Website. Have you been to the Chilly Blues before? If so, what’s your favorite part? Let us know in the comments below!

{Guest Blogger Bio}
Ellen Trumbo is the General Manager of Harbor Restaurants and has helped organize the Chilly Blues for the past four years. Harbor Restaurants, Steve Loftis and Snug Harbor have hosted the event for the past 23 years. 

Article chilis header image via Flickr.com/Creative Commons. Credit: Adam Baker