The Blue River Festival in Shelbyville, Indiana helps the local economy in several different ways. It is held once a year and draws in thousands of people who want to listen to fantastic blue grass music, shop the market place, food booths, flea market, and just socialize with people around the nation who love great music. The Festival also hosts a 5 and 10k walk or run as well as a parade and children’s days with kiddy rides and games.

Shelbyville has a population of about 20,000 individuals and is surrounded by countryside. The festival draws in people from around the state and the country into its town limits where visitors can enjoy the town atmosphere, visit the local shops and dine at the restaurants. The people coming in for the festival also need a place to stay, so the hotels in the area fill up rather quick as do the campgrounds and motor home lots. As the people come in for the festival, they help local businesses by staying at local hotels, camp grounds, motor parks as well as eating at local restaurants and shopping at the local stores. The festival can have a huge effect on the economy.