CAIRO, Ill. — A stage set up just across the flood wall from the Ohio River, vendors scattered up and down historic downtown Eighth Street, and gospel singers belting their lungs out as the sun started to set — Thursday marked the first night of the three day Blues & Gospel Festival in Cairo. Alongside its cultural impact, the festival also provides an important economic bump for the town.
“Originally it was for Cairo, but now it’s become a regional thing,” said Amy Harrell, Communications and Marketing Coordinator with the Cairo Heritage Foundation, the organization that puts together the festival every year.
Harrell said the festival gives Cairo something the city can be proud of.
That growth has brought as many as 3,000 people to Cairo for the festival in past years. That is a major influx for a town of 1,733 people, according to the 2020 census.
That’s also a significant opportunity for the town’s handful of local businesses and restaurants. This year’s festival features about 30 vendors.
Orr said the festival introduces his restaurant to a new audience.
Romello Orr, owner of Cosmic Creations Wings & More, a space-themed restaurant in Cairo, has brought his business to the Blues & Gospel Festival for the last three years. According to Orr, the boost to business lasts beyond the weekend.
“It gives you that different exposure,” said Orr. “A lot of people don’t know about me so I can give them that and direct them to where I am after this festival is over… A lot of people don’t know what’s going on in Cairo until we bring it all together.”
In past years, Harrell said vendors at the festival usually sell out every night.
“We do have several that have businesses out of their homes or they’re traveling vendors,” said Harrell. “This is just another way that they can be part of this community and support us.”
Angie Bell has been a hair dresser in Cairo for the last 40 years, but this year, she and her husband David launched a new business — a food truck selling kettle corn. She said they had done plenty of practice and thrown a lot of popcorn away, but Thursday was their official first day in operation.
Angie and David Bell chose the Blues & Gospel Festival for the launch of their new business.
“This is a very positive thing for the town because it brings in a lot of people, and we’re just happy to be here,” said Bell.
According to Harrell, the festival gives people in Cairo the opportunity to have a great free experience, and brings artists and fans who would not necessarily otherwise come to Cairo into the city.
“I just think it’s enrichment because, like I said, we don’t get these opportunities that often,” said Harrell.
Harrell has lived outside of Cairo for much of her adult life, but would always help out with different festivals in town when visiting family. Now in her role with the Heritage Foundation, she said the festival offers a chance to give back to the community where she grew up.
“It’s still giving this community that’s very small something to be proud of — and be part of — and to come in and have a good time,” said Harrell.
Looking to the future, Harrell said the festival faces two challenges.
The first is funding. It is expensive to maintain a free festival like this, and sources of funding within Cairo are limited.
The second issue is generational. The members of the Cairo Heritage Foundation are rapidly aging, and Harrell said that bringing in a new generation to help continue the festival forward will be vital in the long run.
“I’d like to see some younger people come in and getting them involved… so we can kind of divide and conquer,” said Harrell. “It’s just a large undertaking.”
Reflecting on Cairo more broadly, Bell said, “You know, it’s had its downfalls. I believe in my lifetime I’m going to see it come back.”
As for her new business, “I’m so excited I can’t hardly stand it.”
This year’s Blues & Gospel Festival features music from 6 to 10 p.m. Friday, then kicks off Saturday with a parade at noon. After that, music runs from 1 p.m. to midnight.
