BLUES FESTIVAL HEADLINERS!

Dear MBBF Patron,

Thank you for your continued support of the Monterey Bay Blues Festival. We value your patronage! We are able to meet our mission of preserving and perpetuating the blues as a true American art form, and supporting youth music education, as a direct result of your participation in our Festival.

TICKETS

Festival tickets are on sale now! Go to the "Tickets" Page for more information.

FESTIVAL ADMISSION

Based on popular demand, we are pleased to offer “in and out of the grounds” privileges for a one-season trial period in 2008. This will require every patron to wear a valid, MBBF-issued wristband, given upon entrance at the Festival gate in addition to keeping a copy of your ticket stub at all times while on the grounds. We ask for your patience in making this significant change, as it may result in small delays at the entrance gates or other unforeseen issues. However, we believe the benefit to our patrons will be significant and if all goes well, the policy will remain in effect in 2009.

PARKING

Due to circumstances beyond MBBF’s control, there will be extremely limited parking available adjacent to the Festival grounds. Parking will be available at the Monterey Peninsula College "parking lot A" at 980 Fremont Street in Monterey, with a shuttle service running from the MPC lot to and from the Fairgrounds, throughout the Festival. Please check back on the website for updated information on the shuttle service.

LODGING

The host hotel for the Festival this year is the historic Casa Munras in downtown Monterey. To receive the special Blues Festival rate you must make your reservations through our travel partner Resort 2 Me by calling their toll-free number at (800) 757-5646. Their website is

http://www.resort2me.com/montereyblues

Festival rates will be offered until May 15 while rooms last. Accommodations at the Casa Munras are beautifully updated, single/double occupancy and include a complimentary continental breakfast, free parking and free Internet service, with a two-night minimum and a 48-hour cancellation policy. Resort2Me can also assist you with discounted rates at various other Monterey and Seaside properties, including last year’s host hotel, the Embassy Suites. We think you will be pleased with the level of service that our new reservations company will provide, and with the location and amenities of the Casa Munras.

DATES TO REMEMBER

23rd annual Monterey Bay Blues Festival -- June 27, 28 & 29, 2008

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW -- SEE TICKETS

MAIN ARENA SEATING

Only reserved seating is available in the Main Arena for all four shows over the Festival Weekend. Tickets include access to the Garden Stage and Presidents Stage, and all activities on the Fairgrounds. The Arena is an open-air structure inside the Fairgrounds. Sections 1-16 are folding metal chairs on flat ground. Side Boxes have folding metal chairs. Side Bleachers are elevated wooden bleachers with backs. Center Bleachers are now elevated 'theater-style' individual fold-down seats with backs.

INDIVIDUAL MAIN ARENA TICKETS

Single-Day Main Arena tickets will go on sale Friday, June 27, 2008.

GROUNDS TICKETS

These tickets provide entry onto the Fairgrounds for two stages of simultaneous entertainment and activities, with NO Arena access. The Garden Stage and Presidents Stage are outdoors. Tickets are available through the Monterey Bay Blues Festival Office, 831.394.2652.

CHILDREN

Each child 10 and under admitted free when accompanied by an adult with a ticket. Arena access requires a ticket for everyone. Strollers are not permitted in the Main Arena.

ADA ACCOMMODATIONS

AUDIO/VIDEO RECORDING

It is the policy of the Monterey Bay Blues Festival to not allow any audio/video recording on the Monterey Fairgrounds at any time during the Festival.

CALIFORNIA STATE LAW

California State Law prohibits bringing cans or bottles into the fairgrounds. No coolers, food or beverages, will be allowed through the gates. All Festival attendees are subject to search.

RV PARKING

The Monterey Bay Blues Festival does whatever it can to make our event as
much fun as possible and one of the ways we do that is by making room on the grounds for patrons to park their RVs overnight during the Festival.

Prices run from $55 to $90 a night, depending on the location and services.
You can arrive as early as Thursday evening and stay as long as Monday
morning.

Please be advised: These spots are reserved for people who have purchased a complete set of passes, either arena or grounds. Every member of your party will be asked to present their tickets upon entry to the grounds.

To have your name added to the list of people who will receive an
application for an RV parking spot, please send the following information to
parking@montereyblues.com:

Y our name (and the name of the ticket holder, if it's not you) Mailing address
Phone number
E-mail address
RV length
Services you will require (Water, Electrical, Sewer)

There are a limited number of RV parking spaces available on the grounds.
Last year's guests have a deadline by which they need to order and pay for a
space. Remaining spots are sold from the waiting list, in the order the
applications are received.

MERCHANTS

The Festival provides a wonderful opportunity for craftspeople and
restaurateurs to show off their wares.

Spots are sold in 10' x 10' increments. We provide the electrical and we
have tents, tables and chairs available for rent. Prices run from $700 to
$900 per spot. Lower-priced food prep areas are also available. We can
accommodate most food trucks. This year the Fairgrounds will be providing
insurance coverage under their group policy for a fee.

All merchants are required to submit a copy of their State of California
reseller's permit and obtain a business license from the City of Monterey
(they sell temporary licenses).

Additionally, food merchants must apply for a temporary health permit with
the County of Monterey. Your space will be inspected before you are allowed
to sell food on the grounds.

  MBBF 2008 MERCHANT BOOTH APPLICATION      

The deadline for submitting an application to be considered for a merchant booth at the Festival has passed; however, we may still have some space available. Please inquire by sending an email with the following information to:

vending@montereyblues.com:

Business name
Contact person
Mailing address
Phone number
E-mail address
What it is you sell: Mexican food, African art, handmade jewelry, etc.

MAPS