photo by Adam Drey, UNL intern Devon Allman, lead singer for Honey Tribe and son of Greg Allman of the Allman brothers, jams out on his guitar at the Blue River Music Festival. Honey Tribe was the only non-local band at the music festival.

by Adam Drey, UNL intern

    Brand new to Seward's Fourth of July Celebration, the Blue River Music Festival made a smaller splash than anticipated.
     Despite a shallow attendance, band members and those in attendance said they enjoyed the festival and hoped to see it again next year.
     "It was a good time. We had a high energy crowd," said Kris Lager, lead singer of the Kris Lager Band of Lincoln, which has been called by area radio stations Nebraska's number one unsigned band. "It's a good set-up here-the crowd was warm and responsive."
     The Music Festival began at 12:30 p.m. at the county fairgrounds and went until 9 p.m. Four bands, including headliner Honey Tribe, played throughout the afternoon and into the evening.
     Genres of rock and blues filled the air of the shady fairgrounds, while families and music lovers were able to relax in a semi-lounge atmosphere.
     Jessica Manley, Seward Chamber of Commerce administrative assistant, said they hoped for a crowd of 800 or more, but had somewhere between 200 and 250 concertgoers.
     Being farther away from the rest of the town's events, low awareness and unfortunate timing may have led to lower-than-expected attendance.
     Manley said the music festival was aimed at the younger crowds, yet was still family oriented. And organizers hoped to provide a place to go after the parade and before the fireworks.
     The Music Festival had a beer garden, food and security provided by the American Veterans Motorcycle Club of Seward.
     "This is a great opportunity for good entertainment," said Mike Douglas, one of the seven members in the motorcycle club from Seward. "Hopefully we can get the word out so we can do it again next year."
     Honey Tribe lead singer Devon Allman, son of Greg Allman of the Allman Brothers, said they were happy to be able to entertain and build a grass roots connection.
     "Small-town people are good people," Allman said. "First times are tough. It's a good time to build awareness for the event. We'd love to come back here next year."
     Manley suggested moving the concert to the night before the Fourth, so it wouldn't have to compete with the rest of the day's events next year. Having it run from four to midnight and advertising more outside of Lincoln could help draw even larger crowds, she said.
     "You could tell that the people who were here had a good time," Manley said.
     Members of the bands and concertgoers praised Manley for her efforts in putting together the event and told her they thought it was a great addition for Seward to expand its celebration.
     Manley, in her first year at the Chamber, said she hopes to show the people of Seward and the city's visitors the high caliber of local music and the potential for an event like this.
     "It made my Fourth of July," one fan said.