One attendee recalled driving into Duluth in August of 1989 and seeing what looked like a big picnic down by the harbor. It turned out to be the original festival and he has been a faithful attendee ever since. Many families even hold their annual family reunions during this weekend. Many of the fans have also made an art-form out of attending the festival. Some set up their lawn chairs half way between the two stages and just get up and turn their chairs around after each set, content to listen to the great music as it floats overhead while the large ships float by in the harbor.
Some fans just pick up their chairs and make the short walk between stages every hour and a half.
Other fans bring two sets of chairs and set them up at each stage staking out their territory before hand. With the sea of chairs to get lost in, many fans have devised some creative ways of locating their spots. Long sticks, fishing poles and tree branches are attached to the backs of many of the chairs with an interesting assortment of flags and markers on top. In addition to the Festival itself, official after hour events include the Blues Boogie Train, which features a scenic two hour railroad ride up the North Shore with live acoustic blues. The Moonlight Blues Cruise features a one and a half-hour boat ride with live music out on Lake Superior after the festival events.