News Release

OFB thanks community for successful
2005 Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival

PORTLAND , Ore. — PORTLAND , Ore. – The annual Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival, presented by First Tech Credit Union, not only attracts the finest blues artists from throughout the world, it’s also a major fund-raiser to support Oregon Food Bank and its work to eliminate hunger and its root causes.

Music lovers donated $348,000 and 107,000 pounds of food to Oregon Food Bank at the 2005 Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival, July 1 to 4, making it the second highest year for donations for a four-day Waterfront Blues Festival.*

“Since its inception 18 years ago, the Waterfront Blues Festival has grown from a small Portland festival to what is now recognized as a national festival that attracts visitors from throughout the world,” commented Lisa Wiebe, director of development for Oregon Food Bank and festival leader.

“We owe the festival’s huge success to the support of our community – from our committed sponsors – to more than 1,500 volunteers who keep the festival running smoothly – to the creative members of Oregon Potters Association and Oregon Glass Guild who fill the shelves of their booth with beautiful Empty Bowls to raise funds to benefit Oregon Food Bank – to festival-goers who donated $5 and two cans of food at the gate,” Wiebe said.

This year’s stellar lineup featured more than 100 performers, including five-time Grammy Award-winner Buddy Guy, presented by CO-OP Network; Chicago harmonica ace Charlie Musselwhite, presented by First Tech Credit Union; soul and blues legend Mavis Staples, presented by iQ Credit Union; the subdudes; and Afro-pop superstar Oliver Mtukudzi & Black Spirits.

The festival showcased so much talent and so much variety that each attendee had his or her favorite event. Festival-goers particularly lauded a special Tribute to Ray Charles, featuring the area’s finest local musicians. “I’ve never seen so much talent on one stage at one time,” raved one enthusiastic attendee, who considered the tribute the best event of the festival.

Music fans also loved the intimacy of the Blues Cruises. “Next year I’m going to buy tickets for all six,” said an elated blues cruiser, noting that five of the six cruises sold out.

Families and blues experts alike gave special kudus to activities on the intimate HSBC Workshop Stage, ranging from blues piano and blues harmonica workshops for children, to rhythm lessons with renowned Reggie Houston. “The workshops are simply magical,” was a comment heard again and again and again.”

Other favorites included Eric Johnson, Sherman Robertson, Jim Miller, the Campbell Brothers and more.

“It was a stellar, stellar festival,” stated Wiebe. “Even the weather cooperated. We thank the community for supporting Oregon Food Bank and its work to eliminate hunger and its root causes.”

The 2005 Safeway Waterfront Blues Festival was presented by First Tech Credit Union with major sponsorship by CO-OP Network, HSBC, KINK fm102, The Oregonian A&E, JetBlue Airways, Good Neighbor Pharmacy and Chipotle.

Supporting Sponsorship was provided by iQ Credit Union, Miller Genuine Draft, Pepsi, Snapple, Beringer Wine, Frito Lay Snacks, Dreyer's Ice Cream, Yoshida Sauce, Brown Cow Yogurt, Portland Oregon Visitors Association, Riverplace Hotel, Marriott Portland Downtown Waterfront, KBOO, KOIN TV6, OregonLive.com, Green Mountain Energy, NW Natural, Music Millennium, Guitar Center, Pearl Pharmacy, Beard’s Framing, Sprint PCS, Ethos, Inc., Thrifty Northwest, Carlton Farms, Morgan Stanley, Karolyn H. March, Cascade Zydeco Association, Cascade Blues Association, Oregon Potters Association, Northwest Film Center, Edge Design, Gary Houston Design, Pro Photo Supply, Pacific Northwest College of Art, Hohner Harmonicas, Pearl Drums and Sabian Cymbals.

###