Roots N Blues is a multi-day music festival held at Stephens Lake Park in Columbia, Missouri, typically in late September or early October. Established in 2007 as Roots N Blues N BBQ, it now spans Americana, blues, folk, bluegrass, country, and other genres across several outdoor stages, alongside food vendors and a community running event.
Roots N Blues began almost by accident.
Roots N Blues traces an unusual ownership history: it began in 2007 as a one-time celebration for Central Bank of Boone County's 150th anniversary, was purchased in 2008 by Columbia promoter Richard King and grown into Roots N Blues N BBQ, then sold in 2019 to Tracy Lane and Shay Jasper, former co-directors who made it the only American music festival owned entirely by women
The new owners shortened the name, broadened the lineup beyond blues and barbecue into wider Americana, hip-hop, and pop, and named the company after the 1987 Trio album by Dolly Parton, Linda Ronstadt, and Emmylou Harris
The nonprofit Friends of the Festival now helps sustain the event and funds music literacy and history programs for Missouri children
The Betsy Farris Memorial Run
and half-marathon held during festival weekend
honors a former festival director and has become a fixture that pairs the event's music with community fitness
the festival also maintains the Missouri Roots Songbook
an ongoing project documenting the state's musical heritage
Dates TBA · Usually September
For Roots N Blues Festival, plan transport around the exact Columbia venue, route or gathering point rather than the city name alone.
Casual outdoor festival wear appropriate for early fall in Missouri: shorts or light pants for warm afternoons, a layer for cooler evenings, and closed-toe shoes suited to grass and dirt...
Keep phone power, water, and a clear meeting point sorted before the main crowd arrives.
For Roots N Blues Festival, stay near the part of Columbia you will actually use, with reliable return transport.
Official ticket link is available. Confirm access rules before booking.
USD
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Roots N Blues Festival is listed for September · Autumn. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.
The festival is listed in Columbia, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.
Autumn is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.
Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.
Columbia, MO
unknown
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