About us:
The Fort Smith Riverfront Blues Society was formed in 1993 by area blues fans with the mission of supporting the American form of music known as The Blues, and the redevelopment of historical downtown Fort Smith. The general funding is provided through membership dues, corporate and private donations, and fund raising events. A volunteer board of officers, representing a broad cross section of the local community, governs the society.
In addition to the blues festival, the group holds fund-raisers to support the festival, maintains the Barry Ratliff Memorial fund that provides educational funds to young musicians in the form of annual college scholarships, and provides the "Blues in the Schools" educational program to local schools.
