The sixth annual Kent Blues Fest will offer 23 different venues with free, live blues music on July 18 and a concert at Kent Stage on July 19.

This year the Kent Blues Fest will feature a variety of different artists including a band that originated in Kent, Ohio, “The Numbers Band.” Rory Block and Grammy Award-winning John Hammond are the headliners who will perform at Kent Stage on Saturday.

Tom Simpson, owner of Kent Stage, said he is expecting a big turnout for the event.

“The blues festival is a very successful event,” Simpson said. “I expect every place on Friday to be full, and on Saturday I expect Kent Stage to be at capacity.”

Simpson isn’t the only person expecting a large crowd at this year’s Blues Fest. Mike Beder, owner of Water Street Tavern, Venice Café and Tree City Coffee, said the Kent Blues Fest is one of the biggest days of the summer for his businesses.

More information can be found at www.kentbluesfest.com.

Contact Jenna Francis at [email protected].