Blues Traveler to headline summer festival

Star Tribune

Last update: June 5, 2008 - 6:45 PM

Blues Traveler and some homegrown talent will be the featured entertainment on the main stage at the Aquatennial Block Party, festival officials announced at a news conference Thursday.

Blues Traveler, a New Jersey blues-rock group consisting of singer/harmonica player John Popper, guitarist Chan Kinchia, bassist Tad Kinchla, drummer Brendan Hill and keyboardist Ben Wilson will play on the main stage as part of the festival's opening event, which runs from 5 to 11 p.m. July 18 at 3rd Street and Nicollet Mall.

Joining Blues Traveler on the bill are Mound-native and local sports bar pop rocker Tim Mahoney and the diverse Fabulous Thunderbirds from Austin, Texas.

Festival officials also said former Minnesota Twins players will serve as the Grand Marshals for the CenterPoint Energy Torchlight Parade on July 23. The theme of the parade will be "Always There Through the Generations," festival officials said.

The Target Fireworks on July 26 will feature a tribute to the city of Minneapolis in honor of its 150th birthday. About 75 events, most of them free, will take place as part of the 69th midsummer party, which runs July 18-27. A full schedule is available at www.aquatennial.org.

TIM HARLOW

Recent www.startribune.com stories

Skepticism greets Little Falls dog breeder's retirement - June 5, 2008

Skepticism greets Little Falls dog breeder's retirement - When a Little Falls man opened a 600-dog kennel, animal-welfare activists were outraged. Now he says he's getting out of the business, but not everyone's buying it. More