Big Blues Bender
Lovers of the blues won’t want to miss singing along and tapping toes in time to the music at Big Blues Bender. Set the RV course for Sin City!
Event information
Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino is home to Big Blues Bender, and the theme for this musical extravaganza is “Everything, An Elevator Ride Away!” Enjoy four days of soulful sound in comfort; spend the day in the city moving from an air-conditioned stage area to a set up around the pool. Afterward, retreat to your oasis on wheels to revel in nature as you listen to the wind whistling, the crickets singing or the rain softly falling–whatever the weather is in store for the weekend!
Big Blues Bender is four days of rhythm and history described in song. The blues genre is steeped in archival narratives of bygone days. Hear these stories of the past while in Las Vegas, a city founded by railway workers and ranchers. Although the blues had their beginnings in the south, the genres of jazz, rock and roll, bluegrass, and country were also influenced by the songs of yesteryear.
The venue allows for the enjoyment of a close-up performance. The atmosphere of Big Blues Bender makes this festival an adult-oriented event. Gather your friends and make it a weekend of listening to bluesy rock, folk, and soul. The Las Vegas area itself is also often chosen as a location to enjoy between destinations. Big Blues Bender would also provide some fun between Death Valley National Park, Lake Mead, and Sloan Canyon if your trip allows.
Tickets
The four-day wristband is an ideal option for the RV enthusiast who wants to camp under the stars at night. Tickets are under $500 and include activities like yoga, theme nights, and shopping at the Vendor Village. All sales are final, so be sure to book your Nevada campsite as soon as you make the decision to attend. Others who choose to come to Big Blues Bender may look at booking one of the wristband and hotel room options; there are packages ranging from $1200 to $3500 per person. Add-ons like unlimited drink packages can be considered for purchase, too. Take advantage of the prebook option to obtain a pre-sale code for all ticket types.
Explore Big Blues Bender RV Rentals
Transportation
Driving
Finding your way along the Las Vegas Strip won’t be difficult as it is a straightforward route, but traffic is typically at a crawl. You may want to research other streets that can get you to the Westgate Las Vegas Resort & Casino in a less stressful manner than driving down the Boulevard. It may also be more fun to check out the scenery and bright lights later, while on foot!
Parking areas
Parking at Big Blues Bender has been free in the past; in fact, despite the busyness and crowds found on the Las Vegas Strip, there are several free parking areas that offer multi-level possibilities. Some parking facilities associated with the hotel are garage-oriented and may not be accessible for larger rigs. Contact the organizers of the festival to discuss where it is best to park your rig, which will depend on size and maneuverability.
Public Transportation
The Las Vegas Strip is a navigable street that has plenty of options for getting around. Start off on foot and then take advantage of a free tram between hotels, hop on a Citizen Area Transit double-decker bus for a great view of the sights, or travel in air-conditioned comfort on the Las Vegas Monorail.
Where to stay
Onsite
Some attendees may want to stay onsite and combine their ticket with the hotel package but a more economical option is to take the wristband only option and camp! Heading back to the RV for relaxation time after a full day of people and performances can be just what the body needs to reboot. Las Vegas RV campgrounds are not lacking in quantity or quality within two to 60 minutes of downtown.
Nearby
Making your way just a few streets down from the event opens the door to parking your RV right where the action is. RV accommodation can be found at either end of the strip. Alternatively, you can choose to drive just 20 minutes to an hour away, and experience fun additions like lakeside camping, golf courses, and archery activities, with the closer campgrounds sometimes offering a shuttle to downtown.
The RV Park at Circus Circus may be walkable for many guests and Las Vegas KOA at Sam's Town is another popular campground in the area. Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area offers hiking and a quiet RV setting less than 20 miles from Downtown Las Vegas.
Getting around
“Everything, An Elevator Ride Away!” Las Vegas Big Blues Bender has coined this phrase to remind attendees of the simplicity of getting around the venue. Wear comfortable shoes, even though this adult-oriented event offers well-furnished lounges and pool areas in which to sing along to the blues, you will be busy moving from room to room, taking advantage of all this prestigious festival has to offer. Wheelchair and scooter rentals are a possibility; check the event website for details.
What to pack
Clothing
There is no dress code for Big Blues Bender. You can go casual or dressy; it is your preference. You may want to bring along a hat for watching the poolside performances and a sweater in case the air conditioning leaves you a little chilly. Nights can be cooler as well; you will be glad to have the warmer clothing to wear. The most important apparel item will be your footwear. Choose shoes that work well for both walking and dancing!
Gear
You will want to bring your cell phone or digital camera, especially since you will be able to get fabulous up close and personal shots of the performers. Guests cannot bring a cooler into any area of the festival, including the pool. An essential piece of gear for Big Blues Bender is your wristband! Keep it on all weekend; tampered with bands are no longer valid and there is no wristband sharing.
Health & Safety
There will be Bender Support staff members throughout the hotel to answer questions and direct you to medical aid if needed. Make sure that you take care of your nutritional and hydration needs over the four day weekend. You will have a fantastic time but don’t forget to eat and hydrate well! Sunscreen is a must when you are watching the poolside events; the sun’s rays are subtle but strong this time of year!
Where to eat
Cooking
When thinking of your RV campsite menu, consider “downhome and bluesy” dishes like a bacon, egg, cheddar, and grits casserole for breakfast. Smoky baked beans and beef kabobs make an easy campfire supper. Before leaving home, stock up the RV with briquets, skewers, rolls, and all the fixings for a blues weekend spread.
Restaurants
Big Blues Bender allows you to come and go as you please all weekend long, so be sure to try out a few restaurants on the Boulevard. Every hotel along the strip has a specialty, and it’s a fun pre-trip task to check out the menus at some of the hotels you want to walk through while in the area. Time tested or nouveau supper clubs, stylish dining rooms, and Instagram-worthy decor and dishes are a short walk away. Of course, the venue itself has restaurants and bars where you can get a bite to eat as well.
Vendors
There will be merchandise for sale at Big Blues Bender. Popular vendors frequent the event and will be set up in the Vendor Village ready to sell their wares. Support the local artisans and musicians by making a purchase within the venue. ATMs are on site for those who prefer to use cash for payment as opposed to credit.
Safety
Security
Big Blues Bender is an event that allows wristband wearers to come and go as they please, leaving the venue and returning at will. Wristbands are not transferable, and when you pick up the wristband upon arrival, ID must be shown. Bender Support security will be working the event to make sure that all blues lovers have a safe and happy time. Smoking is not permitted inside the venue.
Weather
September temperatures in Las Vegas can be on the hot side during the day and, as desert regions typically see, the mercury may drop some in the evening but still be quite warm. It does not rain that often, with August being the month that sees the most rain on average. Stock the RV with cozy blankets for a comfortable night’s sleep.
Medical
Bender Support staff will be on hand to answer any questions you may have about accessibility to the performances. If you need a scooter or wheelchair, this must be booked ahead of time from an outside party or brought from home. There will be people working at the venue who can direct you to medical aid if needed. Additional medical facilities and pharmacy services are available within two miles of the venue as well as elsewhere in Las Vegas.
