Bethlehem, Lehigh Valley, PA., April 8, 2026 – The Blast Furnace Blues Festival presented by Highmark Blue Shield will return to the ArtsQuest Campus at SteelStacks for its 15th year with a patriotic twist in 2026 on Friday, July 17 and Saturday, July 18, 2026. In honor of America’s 250th anniversary, the festival will be reimagined as Blast Furnace Blues: Stars, Stripes & Steel presented by Highmark Blue Shield – a one-year name change that honors the occasion while continuing the traditions of the Blast Furnace Blues Festival.
Celebrate America’s 250th at the former Bethlehem Steel site, where the sounds of one of America’s foundational music genres echo beneath the historical blast furnaces. Feel the rhythm with electrifying sets from the Larry McCray Band, toe-tapping tunes in the style of Delta, Piedmont, Texas and Gospel Blues by Jontavious Willis, fiery blues-rock vocalist Dana Fuchs and Ireland’s rising blues star Grainne Duffy and many more, including Lehigh Valley’s own The BC Combo.
“What a way to celebrate both the blues and America’s 250th!” said Patrick Brogan, ArtsQuest Chief Programming Officer. “Stars, Stripes & Steel is a special one-year twist on Blast Furnace Blues, and we’ve packed it with artists who truly represent the depth and energy of the genre – from rising stars to seasoned legends. It’s all about honoring an American art form and bringing our community together in a place that tells its own powerful story.”
In addition to the stellar musical acts, the festival will feature delicious food options. Mon & Mel’s Sweet Scoops Ice Cream Truck will offer crowd-favorite ice cream and treats on both days of the festival, and Nick’s BBQ will be serving their delicious, mouth-watering bites on both days of the festival. More vendors will be announced as the event approaches.
Friday Schedule:
| Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network, part of Jefferson Health |
The BC Combo
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5 – 6 p.m.
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| Highmark Blue Shield Community Stage on the Air Products Town Square |
Danielia Cotton
|
6 – 7:15 p.m.
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| Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network, part of Jefferson Health |
Jontavious Willis
|
7:30 – 9:00 p.m.
|
| Highmark Blue Shield Community Stage on the Air Products Town Square |
Scott Tournet
|
9:00 – 11:00 p.m.
|
Friday night headliner Jontavious Willis is a Grammy-nominated blues artist dedicated to revitalizing the genre with the spirit and rhythm of its roots. Drawing from his rural Georgia upbringing and early experiences singing gospel in church, he blends Delta, Piedmont, Texas and Gospel blues into a dynamic, danceable sound marked by strong vocals and technical skill. Inspired at 14 by Muddy Waters and later championed by Taj Mahal—who dubbed him his Wonderboy—Willis gained national attention opening for Taj Mahal and Keb’ Mo’ and winning the 2018 International Blues Challenge for his debut album “Blue Metamorphosis.” His follow-up album, “Spectacular Class,” further showcases his range, while his upcoming release highlights his evolving songwriting and commitment to carrying traditional blues into a fresh, modern era.
Saturday Schedule:
| Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network, part of Jefferson Health |
Shane Guerrette
|
3:00 – 4:15 p.m. |
| Highmark Blue Shield Community Stage on the Air Products Town Square |
The Moga Family Band
|
4:15 – 5:15 p.m. |
| Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network, part of Jefferson Health |
Gráinne Duffy
|
5:15 – 6:15 p.m. |
| Highmark Blue Shield Community Stage on the Air Products Town Square |
Dana Fuchs
|
6:15 – 7:15 p.m. |
| Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks presented by Lehigh Valley Health Network, part of Jefferson Health |
Larry McCray
|
7:30 – 9:00 p.m. |
| Highmark Blue Shield Community Stage on the Air Products Town Square |
Amani Burnham
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9:00 – 11:00 p.m. |
Saturday night’s headliner, Larry McCray, is a powerhouse blues artist known for his soulful voice, fiery guitar work and deeply authentic storytelling, and his latest album, “Heartbreak City,” marks a bold new chapter in his career. Produced by Joe Bonamassa and Josh Smith, the record blends gritty, roots-driven blues with soul influences, showcasing McCray’s emotional depth and technical mastery across a mix of ballads and high-energy tracks. Drawing on his upbringing in Arkansas and musical evolution in Michigan, McCray channels decades of experience—from early gospel roots to sharing stages with legends like B.B. King, Buddy Guy and the Allman Brothers—into a sound that feels both timeless and revitalized. Following the success of his 2022 comeback album “Blues Without You” and his 2024 induction into the Michigan Rock and Roll Legends Hall of Fame, “Heartbreak City” cements McCray’s status as a leading voice in modern blues, grounded in tradition yet more confident and dynamic than ever.
*For full lineup details visit https://www.artsquest.org/festivals/more-festivals-and-experiences/blast-furnace-blues/.
Whether you’re a lifelong blues fan or discovering the genre for the first time, the Blast Furnace Blues: Stars, Stripes & Steel presented by Highmark Blue Shield is the perfect way to spend a summer day filled with great music, delicious food and amazing company.
About ArtsQuest
ArtsQuest’s mission is to provide access to exceptional artistic, cultural and educational experiences, using arts and culture as drivers of economic development in our urban communities. ArtsQuest supports this mission through performing and visual arts, film, arts education and outreach, youth programming and a wide range of cultural events, anchored by signature venues and initiatives including its flagship event, Musikfest; the ArtsQuest Creative Factory powered by PPL, a centerpiece for the Valley’s artistic communities; the ArtsQuest Center at SteelStacks; and the LVHN, part of Jefferson Health Turn & Grind Shop, an adaptive reuse project expanding space for programming, festivals, private events and nationally touring exhibits. ArtsQuest welcomes more than 1.9 million people annually, with nearly 40 percent of its programs free to attend, generating a regional economic impact of more than $143 million annually. ArtsQuest’s Re-Imagine That! Capital Campaign supports the continued growth of its mission to make the arts accessible for all.