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7/17 Credit Union Announces Inaugural Blues, Brews & BBQ Festival
A Day of Music, Food, Community, and Giving Back in Warren, Ohio
Warren, OH – 7 17 Credit Union is thrilled to announce its first-ever Blues, Brews & BBQ Festival, a full-day celebration of live music, craft beverages, award-worthy BBQ, and meaningful community impact — all happening on Saturday, October 4, 2025, beginning at noon with a full day of performances at the Warren Community Amphitheater. Gates will open at 11:00 a.m.
Tickets are just $10 per person, including children, and are available to purchase online at www.717cu.com/blues. Beginning Friday, August 15, tickets can also be purchased at any 7 17 branch location, Sunrise Inn in Warren, and the Eastwood Mall in Niles.
As part of its deep-rooted commitment to Northeast Ohio, 7 17 Credit Union is proud to launch this inaugural event as a way to bring the community together while supporting local businesses, musicians, and charitable organizations. Net proceeds from the festival will benefit three impactful organizations: United Way of Trumbull County, Game Changers, Inc., and the Warren-Youngstown Urban League.
“This is more than just a festival — it’s a way for us to give back, lift up our neighbors, and celebrate the spirit of Warren,” said Dorian Smith, Senior Vice President of Business Development at 7 17 Credit Union. “We’re excited to create something fun and meaningful that supports the people and places that make this region great.”
What to Expect:
- Live blues performances all day featuring top local, regional, and national talent
- A curated selection of drinks, including beer and bourbon
- The best BBQ vendors in Northeast Ohio, competing for top honors
- Family-friendly fun
- Free Parking
The event is produced by Sunrise Entertainment and 2Deep Entertainment.
Schedule & About the Artists:
- (Noon) Warren Community Gospel Choir – A blended choir of voices from across the Mahoning Valley bringing high-energy, spirit-filled gospel to open the Warren, Ohio Blues, Brews & BBQ festival at the Warren Community Amphitheatre.
- (1:00 pm) Damian Knapp – Northeast Ohio blues guitarist/singer-songwriter delivering raw, acoustic-and-electric Rust Belt blues—gritty vocals, road-tested originals, and classic covers—well known on the regional festival circuit.
- (2:00 pm) Cleveland’s Backstreet Blues Band – Cleveland, Ohio, harmonica-driven blues outfit mixing swing, rockabilly, funk, and bar-room boogie; club and festival regulars with fan-favorite originals and high-energy shows.
- (3:00 pm) Sacksville Rhythm & Blues Band – Youngstown, Ohio veterans (fronted by Ron “Sonny Boy” Hopchick) fusing blues, classic R&B, funk, and rock; active since the early ’80s with recordings like the 1987 single “Let’s Have a Drink, Let’s Have a Toast.”
- (4:00 pm) Jazz in the Park Allstars – The house ensemble from Youngstown’s long-running Jazz in the Park series, serving a soulful mix of jazz, blues, funk, and R&B—bringing the Wick Park vibe to Warren’s riverfront.
- (5:00 pm) Norman Nardini – Pittsburgh’s self-styled “Uncrowned King of Rock ’n’ Roll”; a 50-year powerhouse whose roots with Diamond Reo and the Tigers fuel a gritty, blues-soaked rock show tailor-made for amphitheatres.
- (6:00 pm) Aaron McCoy and Friends – Dynamic saxophonist (“Saxoholic1”) blending jazz, soul, funk, and R&B; international touring credits include Who’s Bad – The Ultimate Michael Jackson Experience.
- (7:00 pm) Solomon Hicks – NYC guitar phenom and blues/jazz vocalist known as “King” Solomon; performing professionally since his early teens with a style spanning blues, jazz, gospel, funk, and classic rock.
- (8:00 pm) Shemekia Copeland – Multi-GRAMMY-nominated Alligator Records star and one of today’s leading blues voices, celebrated for powerful, truth-telling songs and show-stopping vocals.
For More Information:
Visit www.717cu.com/blues for full event details, talent lineup, FAQs, and to purchase tickets online.
About 7 17 Credit Union:
7/17 Credit Union is the largest in Northeast Ohio with 13 branch locations and more than 120,000 members. Established in 1957, we’re proud to help people improve their lives financially and support the communities we serve. Anyone is eligible to open accounts with 7 17. To learn more about 7 17, our services, and how to join, visit www.717cu.com.
