For the third year, the Lowertown Blues Festival returns to Mears Park now under the name Lowertown Blues and Funk Festival July 22-23

“Given that it’s the Year of Music here in Saint Paul, it’s only appropriate that we add a little extra funk to the Lowertown Blues Festival,” said Mayor Chris Coleman. “I’m looking forward to all of the great music the festival has to offer – as well as all the excitement and energy it always brings to downtown Saint Paul.”

The Friday funk night lineup includes performances by The Family Stone, Otis Day and the Knights, and The Good, The Bad and The Funky. Saturday’s blues lineup includes blues and soul staples Booker T. Jones, Bernard Allison Group, Corey Stevens, Lil’ Ed & the Blues Imperials, and The Butanes Soul Revue to the Main Stage. A second stage, the Juke Joint, will also feature the sounds of Kim Simmonds of Savoy Brown, Joel Zoss, and Hurricane Harold & Doug Otto.

Another new addition is the VIP Blues Pit. Located in front of the main stage, ticket holders will gain access to artists, reserved seating and a cash bar. Entry is limited to 100 people with a maximum of 6 passes per customer. VIP tickets can be purchased for $50 through a pre-sale at https://www.tikly.co/events/1141.

The Lowertown festival runs on Friday from 4 to 10 p.m. and on Saturday from noon to 10 p.m. Sponsor of the festival, Famous Dave’s, will host their 2016 Blues Battle Winner from noon to 12:45 p.m. on Saturday. All ages are welcome to the free festival.

For more information on the Lowertown Blues Festival, visit www.lowertownbluesfestival.com.