Last year, in the pouring rain, the Bogalusa Blues and Heritage Festival proved it could deliver an event that would leave people from throughout Louisiana and beyond excited and clamoring for more.

Many of them, including those from other states, shouted the praises of the hometown event all over social media and promised to return.

Since then, their proclamations of success have been reinforced when the Louisiana Association of Fairs and Festivals named the local festival the Best New Event of 2012 and the Louisiana Department of Tourism included it in its list of Top 10 Must-See Festivals.

Now the lineup for the second festival has been announced, and it’s sure to keep all those who vowed to grab friends and to return true to their words.

Entertainment Committee Chairman Jon Sorey said he’s “very excited.”

Taking the Cassidy Park main stage on Saturday, Sept. 28 will be Walter Trout, Ana Popovic, Paul Thorn, Vasti Jackson, the Homemade Jamz Blues Band, Jonathan “Boogie” Long, and J.D. Hill and the Jammers featuring Chance Casteel.

“This is a serious line-up of top-notch entertainers,” Sorey said. “The fact that this is our second year of existence and the Bogalusa Blues and Heritage Festival can bring this caliber of entertainment speaks volumes. Bogalusa is on the map in the musical world, and people are taking notice.”

Those who know music are joining Sorey in his enthusiasm.

The Bogalusa Blues and Heritage Festival is bringing highly acclaimed representatives of a range of blues styles, including solid, soulful masters in the field and dynamic and thrilling up-and-comers, together on the Bogalusa stage.

Sorey encourages anyone who is not yet familiar with the tremendous talent that will be presented to check them out online, catch the fever and spread the word.

It’s the festival’s goal to present high-level music that will attract visitors from throughout the region and to get better every year.

Interested persons can keep up with the latest on the Bogalusa Blues and Heritage Festival online at

bogalusablues.com.