I just returned home from helping shut down and clean up Sawyer Point after another great Blues Fest. We're all pretty sore and tired tonight, but I promise we will have pictures, reviews and stories from the fest very soon. But tonight, on behalf of the over 30 Coordinators of the 2006 Cincy Blues Fest, we'd like to just say thanks to all who volunteered at, or attended the fest the last two days.

I'd also like to thank our sponsors, vendors, city agencies and especially the Cincinnati Recreation Commission's Sawyer Point staff. We could not do it without you.

On a personal note I, along with my co-director James Czar, would like to thank all of our coordinators that worked long and hard all year to stage such a great fest. You truly are a great bunch of people to work with. Passion, tenacity, drive....these are but a few of the great qualities you all bring to the table. You not only worked all year to plan the fest, but to deal with the organized chaos that is a Blues Fest weekend, you all showed your MacGyver-like qualities to solve problems quickly and creatively. You all should feel extremely proud of the job that we were able to accomplish as a team.

There are so many highlights that we'll be talking about over the next few weeks. From the young volunteers that just wouldn't quit helping, to the amazing success of the St. Vincent de Paul Local Stage, there are so many good memories that I know I will take from this year. Come and join us for next year's fest. After some much needed rest, we'll be right back at it planning for 2007!!!

Barry Gee