Sure, it’s blues music, but the genre didn’t really catch its groove in Wheeling until the mid-2000s after the Heritage BluesFest was in its fourth or fifth year.
That did not stop Bruce Wheeler, though, because he believed. He was certain that once local fans would finally fall in love not only with the tunes but with an atmosphere that soon attracted the devoted from up and down the East Coast and beyond, it would thrive.
And Wheeler was right.
But with the cancelation of the 20th annual show earlier this month, the dark cloud of debt has returned over Wheeler’s head, and the storm reigns supreme. It truly is that simple, and it’s why the co-founder launched last week a GoFundMe account with the goal of raising $125,000.
The annual Heritage BlueFest, according to Wheeler, has generated more than $500,000 in economic impact each year for the Wheeling area. Vendors, hotels, restaurants, bars, gas stations, grocery stores; it all adds up and benefits, mostly, businesses closest to Heritage Port.
But, besides all the financial numbers and the collected “Best Show” awards, BlueFest also is about the vibe among that crowd of people who are putting their doubts and difficulties aside to celebrate being alive. Again, it truly is that simple, and that is why Wheeler plans to continue his fight to preserve what has become the city of Wheeling’s top music event in the history of Heritage Port.
How difficult of a decision was it to cancel the 20th Heritage BluesFest and how many different plans did you develop to try and stage it?
It was a very difficult decision to cancel what would have been the 20th BluesFest, which is why I held off as long as I could before making the decision. I really did not have alternative plans as the festival has developed its own “persona” over the last 20 years. I was just hoping there would have been a lifting of the COVID-19 restrictions to safely produce outdoor events without the restrictions of masks and social distancing. However, it became clear that was not going to happen.
You worked hard to preserve the same lineup as was schedule this year for next year. Please explain why.
Repeating the lineup made it feel that the 2021 festival will actually feel like the 20th, just postponed one year. Also, I was hoping that the ticket pre-sales for 2020 would be more willing to hold on for the 2021 event if the majority of the same acts would be featured.
Last week, you launched a GoFundMe campaign to help BluesFest to keep it alive. How has the response been since the launch, and what is your ultimate goal?
It was suggested that I launch a GoFundMe, so I looked into it. One of the similar GoFundMe campaigns that I saw was for a bookstore in San Francisco, “The City Lights Bookstore,” that was launched in April. It had widespread fan support, similar to the festival. City Lights was very successful in their campaign and exceeded their $300,000 goal by $195,000.
I launched the “KEEP THE HERITAGE MUSIC BLUESFEST ALIVE” campaign six days ago, and we have received 56 donations and over $6,000 of our $125,000 goal.
Please explain why the GoFundMe account was needed after this year’s event could not take place because of the pandemic.
As you know, I started the event by cashing in a retirement fund and kept it going by taking out second mortgages on my home. Investing over $250,000.00 to make the festival what it is today. Although recent successful years have turned the page on yearly losses, as long as the weather is good, but I am still making up for the early years when attendance was struggling. Advance ticket pre-sales are used to reduce the debt and to pay the ongoing bills of the festival.
The COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancelation of this year’s 20th annual event. That cancelation precipitated ticket refund requests for 2020 and has greatly slowed 2021 festival ticket revenue and sponsorships.
My $125,000 GoFundMe goal would pay off all debt and hopefully put it on track for 2021 and beyond.
In my wildest dreams, the “KEEP THE HERITAGE MUSIC BLUESFEST ALIVE” campaign might exceed our goal and would allow me to put back some of my retirement funds.
You have fought for BluesFest before, and now you are fighting for its survival again. Why?
I really have no choice. I have to pay off my accumulated debt.
Twenty years ago, when starting the BluesFest, I felt it is was good for Wheeling. The Heritage Port was built as an economic engine for Wheeling. After 20 years, the BluesFest provides the fuel for that engine with attendees from 25 states and four countries each year on the second weekend of August supporting the economic benefit to the City.
