After cracking the six figures in attendance marks the last few years, JazzFest in 2015 fell shy of that number. Organizers say this year’s three-day event drew around 80,000.

In a press release, Executive Director Robert Joyce says weather played a factor. “We had very warm temperatures on Thursday and definitely on Friday of last week. When coupled with some storms in the area, several people decided to wait until Saturday to attend JazzFest.”
Rain was in the area on Thursday, but skirted past Sioux Falls for the most part. High winds and area lightning stopped JazzFest one hour early on Friday night, cutting the Boz Scaggs show significantly.

Joyce added, “That also hurt us since most of our beverage sales take place in the last few hours of each evening.” A tent was blown over Friday night, but fortunately no one was injured.

JazzFest is organized by the Sioux Falls Jazz & Blues Society, a non-profit arts organization. Also in the release, the organization expressed thanks to sponsors, committee members, and volunteers for their efforts. In addition, Midcontinent Communications was a major contributor in bringing Scaggs and Grace Potter to the festival.

Next year marks year 25 in the event’s history. It will be held July 14-16, 2016.

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