Located halfway between Kansas City and St. Louis is the happy town of Columbia, home to the University of Missouri, and the Roots, Blues & BBQ festival! Mrs. Jones was lucky enough to check this one out about five years ago – having had so much fun that it was a must do on the itinerary for the trip back home. This is where music freaks from around the Midwest and beyond congregate at a festival that consistently puts out some of the best lineups around! Mrs. Jones is right at home again front and center in the Whole Hog VIP section…
The venue is just outside of town in Stephens Lake Park. If you take an Uber there you will be dropped off about a half a mile from the front gates – and if it’s 97 degrees you will not be thrilled… Head’s up – take the free shuttle bus back to downtown and grab your Uber from a nice little Irish Pub! Better yet, jump in the Limo (no idea why or how it was offered) and head to Rose’s Music Hall for an after party with GREAT MUSIC, too. This is the Ben Miller Band which should be on everyone’s list…
Just to be clear, you’re not parking your RV here. This is just a city park, not a camping event. Be sure to book early because the hotels and RV parks fill up quickly! Mrs. Jones was a little slow to book and got maybe the last spot in town. But never too slow to miss out on the VIP experience. This is one of the best VIP setups at any music festival anywhere. It’s called the Whole Hog if you book all three days… You can get right up front to see all the acts! Check out Jason Isbell backing up his wife Amanda Shires… It’s like watching a show in your own backyard!
Or check out War and Treaty…
There are two stages set up facing kind of back to back looking at two hills… No music interference between them. The Missouri Lottery Stage is the bigger of the two, but still very intimate. Here’s The Maverick’s on the smaller Great Southern Bank Stage!
As well as Mandolin Orange,
There are hay bales everywhere to rest your weary behind..
This festival does not take cash or credit cards, only a wrist band zap… So be sure to put some money on that wrist band for an adult beverage or a pulled pork sandwich! You can “top off” your wrist band at any time if you underestimate your beverage intake. Mrs. Jones never had to do that, though. By the way, this VIP feeds you lunch and dinner free! (Well, obviously not really free…). Great BBQ, wrap sandwiches for lunch, etc… YUM. All you need to do is show up with a wrist band and it’s all there. Weird observation, people lineup at the VIP food buffet like an hour before it opens, while music is jamming (they’re missing it) and it’s 97 degrees in the sun… If they wait about 20 minutes after opening it’s wide open!? This festival is friendly, well organized, and just the right amount of laid back… And there’s frogs.
Headed to St. Louis to drop off this happy Mother-in-law – see you soon in Mexico, Cissie. She’s a hell of a lot of fun, and truly a rival to the newer Mrs. Jones… Meanwhile, here’s a few clips to keep it real… Memphis here we come!!
Mrs Jones on the Road 