Blue Collar Festival Underway in Faribault

Blue Collar Festival Faribault organizers knew they were in uncharted territory when they expanded the event to five days.  Opening night tonight Los Rebeldes peformed in the Central Park Band Shell.

The Albert Lea group described their music as Tex-Mex, Minnesota based with some old country mixed in.  The concert began 6:00 p.m.  You could not have asked for a more perfect night.  Humidity was gone.  There was a cool breeze in Central Park.

People slowly kept arriving.  Many setting up lawn chairs.  People of all ages I might add which had to please organizers.  Little kids to the elderly were represented and all ages in between.  It was not a huge crowd.  I counted 65 people a half hour into the concert before I went home to get something to eat.

I did suggest to Mayor Kevin Voracek having some food might help for people like me who stopped by after leaving work heading for home.  It might also bring more people down to hear the music and stay because they enjoy it.

I don't profess to be a music critic but thought Los Rebeldes (The Rebels)  was very entertaining.  A lot of their music could be played during the Old Tyme segments on KDHL.  The same kind of beat.  Danceable music featuring accordian, trumpet, guitar and drums.

From their website is the information provided below:

"The Cardona family band, known as Los Rebeldes (of Minnesota), has been playing music together for over four decades. The Cardona’s all sparked an interest in music at a very young age, and throughout the 70s Raul Sr. and three of his sons, Raul Jr., Rene, and Luis all began making music together."

"The Cardona’s joined with Raul Sr.’s brother-in-law Jesus (Chuy) Velez in 1984 and officially formed the band, “Los Rebeldes.” Jesus was a lead member of Los Rebeldes until his retirement in 1990. Raul Sr. continued to play the accordion with the band well into his 70's.  Their friend Jose Madrigal was also an original member and played guitar for many years."

Thursday, August 12, 2021 KidsDanceDJs will be in Central Park  following the Annual Faribault Pet Parade.

Friday, August 13, 2021 Classic Vehicles will be in historic downtown Faribault from 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.  with live music performed by the Tropical T-Birds and Wreckless.

Saturday, August 14, 2021 A great variety of music from 11:00 a.m. until 11:00 p.m.

The lineup includes:

11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  Bob's Rubber Band - Old Tyme

12:45 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.  Moses Oakland -  Blues

2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.   Minnesota native Annie Mack - Blues

4:15 p.m. to 5:45 p.m.  Trevor McSpadden - 4 piece Honky-Tonk Country

6:00 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.  Old Country Boys -  Classic Country hits

8:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.  Street Talk -  Hits from the 80's, 90's and 2000's.

There is also a Bean Bag Toss Tournament Saturday along with BBQ Cooking Contest, RC Demo Derby and a variety of food vendors downtown.

Sunday, August 15, 2021 it's wind down day with the 2nd Annual Blue Collar Red Eye Golf Tournament at the Straight River Golf Course in Faribault with music performed by local artist Luke Smith.

The weather forecast could not be more perfect.  For great fun take in the Blue Collar Festival in Faribault throughout this weekend.

Some breathtaking scenes here.

Did Alexander Faribault House make the list?