Revamped Benicia Waterfront Rocks Music Fest is toe-tapping enjoyable – Times Herald Online

The Benicia Waterfront Rocks Music Festival, persevering with a run that began in 1994, reached a complete new stage of leisure and good old school toe-tapping enjoyable this weekend.

By bringing collectively internationally touring musicians, the occasion “creates a whole different theme and feel by this cast,” mentioned Benicia Main Street Board of Directors President Christina Strawbridge. Among its improved lineup are an added spa pavilion, Lil’ Rockers Alley, expanded meals distributors, and a sailboat regatta on Sunday.

But even with added bells and whistles, above all, “the focus is still the music,” mentioned Strawbridge. The objective, as all the time, is to convey Benicia’s music-loving group for a weekend of bonding over tunes.

This 12 months, six musical performances embody Headliner Pablo Cruise, Australian musician Lachy Doley, Carolyn Wonderland, Super Diamond, Eric Lindell, and 26-year-old Ally Venable.

Formerly dubbed the “Seafood Celebration,” the pageant has all the time been designed to “showcase our greatest asset,” mentioned Strawbridge, pointing to the waterfront. Despite some beauty modifications this 12 months, that’s nonetheless the identical.

On opening day, the sunny climate invited dozens of native and not-so-local music lovers. While some have been first-time attendees touring from close by cities like Lafayette and Concord, others have been fairly acquainted with the fest from its earlier years.

“They upped the level of entertainment, so before it was more local, and this is more nationwide and well known,” mentioned Benicia Rotary Club President Darrell Doihe. “The whole closing down First Street to do a whole food court.”

Improved entrance charges are among the many modifications. And though elevated charges have been not-so-popular amongst a handful of attendees, the decision remains to be out.

“Time will tell,” defined first-time attendee Louanne Morro. Though not thrilled by the roughly $45 per day price, the Lafayette resident was nonetheless having fun with the music alongside her buddy Hellen Demarco.

“We just wanted to do something different, and get out of our own towns, and Benicia is a really nice place,” mentioned Demarco. “We got great views here and we knew that there would be good bands here.”

Regarding the pageant’s modifications, Demarco prompt bringing again arts and crafts distributors. “Whether I buy them or not,” she chuckled, “that would be nice because it gives you something to do other than just sitting here.”

Morro puzzled whether or not lowered entrance charges would invite a bigger crowd of attendees and maybe imply extra gross sales for the pageant organizers and distributors

.“I wonder if it was free, or maybe $10-15 if they could double the number of people that come,” she mentioned. “It’s music, you know? Someone’s gotta pay for all that.”

Regardless, like the remainder of the attendees on the two-day occasion, the 2 have been targeted on making essentially the most out of their time. Pointing to the kids’s actions and face portray sales space, “We’re going to go do that later,” laughed the 2. “Life’s too short.”

Sunday’s lineup contains Lachy Dole, Ally Venable, headliner Pablo Cruise, and the much-anticipated Waterfront Regatta sailboat race that includes racers from Benicia’s Yacht Club.

Originally Published: July 26, 2025 at 2:23 PM PDT