Doheny Blues Festival marks 20th anniversary with nearly 20,000 partying at Doheny State Beach

DANA POINT  Thousands listened to the soulful sounds of blues, ate an assortment of foods and quenched their thirst during summer-like heat at the 20th anniversary of the Doheny Blues Festival at Doheny State Beach.

The two-day event, May 20-21, put on by Omega Events, drew nearly 20,000 with many coming from San Diego and Los Angeles counties.

Musicians played at three stages, the Doheny Stage, the PCH Stage and the Backporch, a smaller more intimate setting.

Crowd pleasers on Saturday, May 20, included 2000 LBS of Blues on the Backporch, a Southern California vs. Northern California duel between Rod Piazza and the Mighty Flyers, and Rick Estrin and the Nightcats.

The jam sessions included harmonica solos, guitar and keyboard jams.

Saturday’s headliners brought out devoted fans of Robin Trower,  an English rock guitarist and vocalist who achieved success with Procol Harum during the 1960s, and then again as the bandleader of his own band.

Joe Walsh, who in a 40-year music career was part of five successful rock bands– James Gang, Barnstorm, Eagles, The Party Boys, and Ringo Starr & His All-Starr Band–  closed the show on Saturday.

He played tunes like “Rocky Mountain Way,” “Life’s Been Good,” “Average Guy” and “Meadows.”

On Sunday, Chris Isaak, best known for his hit “Wicked Game,” as well as the popular hit songs “Baby Did A Bad Bad Thing” and “Somebody’s Crying,” played on the Doheny Stage.

Other artists included Moreland and Arbuckle on the Backporch and Samantha Fish on the PCH Stage.

Melissa Etheridge closed out the night on The Doheny Stage.

Orange County Sheriff Department Police Chief Russ Chilton said his department had multiple medical aids because of dehydration, but other than that the event was peaceful.

“Saturday was a full house,” Chilton said, adding the venue site holds about 11,000 people. “Sunday, there were a little less.”

Chilton was a deputy in Dana Point 20 years ago when the event was first held. Since that time, he’s seen it improve and grow.

In recent years, the state park has added more concert events. Chilton said the Ohana and Driftwood festivals were both recent successes.

Doheny Days, an event he described as drawing “edgier bands” was a problem for law enforcement and won’t be back again, Chilton said.

Chilton added that Dana Point’s hub as a music venue also demands law vigilance.

Before the Doheny Blues Festival, as with all the larger venue events including the Dana Point Turkey Trot, Chilton and his deputies did extensive preparation to make sure the area is safe. Deputies and bomb-sniffing dogs walked throughout the festival on both days.

“I take security very seriously,” Chilton said. “I don’t want people to worry. If people feel safe, I guess I’m doing my job.”