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Jay Lloyd's Getaway: Weekend Blues Fest in the Pocono Mountains

PALMERTON, Pa. (CBS) - This weekend, a celebrated Pocono Mountains event marks 20 years of captivating audiences.  But it has a new name and a new venue.

The Pocono Blues Festival becomes the Pennsylvania Blues Festival, and moves a few mountain ridges south, from Big Boulder to Blue Mountain.

As before, blues enthusiasts will find a full card of headliners, led by Cyril Neville, Otis Clay, and the "queen of the blues," Shemekia Copeland (photo).

Weekenders will be camping within sight of the main stage, and scenic chairlift rides will be running all weekend.

Michael Cloeren, who has produced the festival since day one, notes that the food will match the mood.

"Red beans and rice, jambalaya, ribs, collard greens, mac and cheese," he says.

With nonstop acts on two stages, Cloeren notes, the key is the music.

"Before there was rock and roll, before there was folk, and before there was country, it all started with the blues," he says.

The gates open at noon on Saturday, and the sounds go into Sunday night. For more information, visit the web site of the Pennsylvania Blues Festival.

Reported by Jay Lloyd, KYW Newsradio 1060

"Jay Lloyd's Getaway" main page

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