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41st Lima Crossroads Festival Draws 18,000 Fans with Free Music, Kids Fun, and a 5-K Race
Lima’s streets pulsed with free music and family‑friendly energy as the 41st Lima Crossroads Festival opened Thursday, July 30, and will run through Monday, August 2, 2026. The four‑day celebration brought the town’s residents and visitors together for a weekend of live music, food, and community events, and the organizers are already eyeing a larger turnout than the 18,000 fans who attended the inaugural festival.
The festival’s core is its music lineup. Twenty‑two bands will perform on two stages and at the American Hotel, and the event is free to all attendees thanks to local sponsors. Superior Walls, a concrete‑foundation company that employs 75 people in Lima, is the principal sponsor. Jim Shelly, owner of Fanatics Pub, has curated the blues lineup for 13 years and has helped transform the festival from a small local gathering into a major regional draw.
Saturday’s headline acts include blues legend Destini Rawls, who will perform with her father, soul‑blues icon Johnny Rawls, and two‑time BB King Award winner Sugar Ray Rayford. The Tony Holiday Band will take the West Main Street stage on Friday night. Shelly’s long‑standing relationships with blues musicians have been a key factor in assembling a powerful and diverse roster.
The east Main Street stage, assembled by Jody Tyson of Tyson’s Upper Deck, hosts country and rock acts. Nationally known country singer Claudia Hoyser will appear on Sunday, and other performers on the east stage include a mix of local and regional artists, providing a broad musical palette for festivalgoers.
Beyond music, the festival offers a range of activities for all ages. Kids can enjoy a drone alley, pony rides, a petting zoo, a bounce house, and a puppet show. Adults can participate in a rib‑fest contest on Sunday and a bed‑race on Saturday. Food trucks, craft vendors, and local artists fill the festival grounds. A 5‑K race begins Saturday morning at 8 a.m., with registration open until the start time. About 150 runners, ranging from 8 to 79 years old, have signed up. Last year’s men’s winner, 17‑year‑old Nathan Brown, returned to defend his title and course record of 18:16. The 2025 women’s winner, Elizabeth Parmalee, finished in 22:33. Town board members Adam Lewis and Christopher Doe also entered the race.
The festival’s community impact is highlighted by council operations vice‑president Rita Sherman, who says the event brings a “big city experience” to Lima and attracts visitors who otherwise would not visit the town. Production manager Kevin Jacobs of Superior Walls notes that the company is building expanded storage facilities for the festival and for Lima Ambulance at no cost, emphasizing that the sponsorship is a community contribution rather than a marketing effort.
The 41st Lima Crossroads Festival continues to serve as a free, family‑friendly celebration that blends music, local business support, and community pride. With its growing attendance, diverse lineup, and extensive volunteer and sponsor network, the festival remains a key cultural event for the region.
The festival’s core is its music lineup. Twenty‑two bands will perform on two stages and at the American Hotel, and the event is free to all attendees thanks to local sponsors. Superior Walls, a concrete‑foundation company that employs 75 people in Lima, is the principal sponsor. Jim Shelly, owner of Fanatics Pub, has curated the blues lineup for 13 years and has helped transform the festival from a small local gathering into a major regional draw.
Saturday’s headline acts include blues legend Destini Rawls, who will perform with her father, soul‑blues icon Johnny Rawls, and two‑time BB King Award winner Sugar Ray Rayford. The Tony Holiday Band will take the West Main Street stage on Friday night. Shelly’s long‑standing relationships with blues musicians have been a key factor in assembling a powerful and diverse roster.
The east Main Street stage, assembled by Jody Tyson of Tyson’s Upper Deck, hosts country and rock acts. Nationally known country singer Claudia Hoyser will appear on Sunday, and other performers on the east stage include a mix of local and regional artists, providing a broad musical palette for festivalgoers.
Beyond music, the festival offers a range of activities for all ages. Kids can enjoy a drone alley, pony rides, a petting zoo, a bounce house, and a puppet show. Adults can participate in a rib‑fest contest on Sunday and a bed‑race on Saturday. Food trucks, craft vendors, and local artists fill the festival grounds. A 5‑K race begins Saturday morning at 8 a.m., with registration open until the start time. About 150 runners, ranging from 8 to 79 years old, have signed up. Last year’s men’s winner, 17‑year‑old Nathan Brown, returned to defend his title and course record of 18:16. The 2025 women’s winner, Elizabeth Parmalee, finished in 22:33. Town board members Adam Lewis and Christopher Doe also entered the race.
The festival’s community impact is highlighted by council operations vice‑president Rita Sherman, who says the event brings a “big city experience” to Lima and attracts visitors who otherwise would not visit the town. Production manager Kevin Jacobs of Superior Walls notes that the company is building expanded storage facilities for the festival and for Lima Ambulance at no cost, emphasizing that the sponsorship is a community contribution rather than a marketing effort.
The 41st Lima Crossroads Festival continues to serve as a free, family‑friendly celebration that blends music, local business support, and community pride. With its growing attendance, diverse lineup, and extensive volunteer and sponsor network, the festival remains a key cultural event for the region.