Mission of Stillwater Blues Festival 4X4

To provide quality, cultural entertainment, while preserving a truly American art form - Blues Music- and educating the public to its' history and other musical genres that evolved from these musical roots.

Vision of City of Stillwater Blues Festival 4X4

To Introduce the Blues and other musical styles to broad audiences unfamiliar with the different genres;
To complete the diversity of cultural opportunities for the citizens of Stillwater and the surrounding area;
To attract audiences from other areas within a six hour door to door market in support of community economic development;
To preserve, celebrate, and promote musical art forms;
To offer an enhancement to the quality of life to our citizens and guests from around the country.

History:

In 1998, Downtown Stillwater Main Street planned a special event to celebrate the musical heritage of blues and herald the beginning of the festival, "Uptown Blues Downtown". During the next few years, City of Stillwater Power, Stillwater Community Center, and the Harley Owner's Group joined forces and the event became known as the Bikes 'n Blues Fest. In 2001, the event moved home to the Community Center for a two-day event where attendance and recognition grew statewide. This same year, Stillwater's Convention and Visitor's Bureau received the Oklahoma Tourism's Red Bud Award for the event. Now in its eleventh year, the festival has blossomed into a thriving cultural marketplace of the music, emphasizing the blues and has become the largest free music festival in central Oklahoma. The festival has received statewide acclaim and excellence from various organizations and national recognition. The Oklahoma Blues Society named the Stillwater Blues Festival as "one of the best shows in Oklahoma".