41st Lima Crossroads Festival Draws 22 Bands, Free Family Fun, and a 5-K Race

The 41st Lima Crossroads Festival kicked off Friday, July 30, 2026, and will run through Monday, August 2. The free, four‑day event takes place in Lima, New York, on two stages and the American Hotel.

Organized by the Lima Crossroads Council, the festival is the second‑largest in Livingston County and the biggest free festival in Western New York. Last year it attracted 18,000 attendees, and council operations vice‑president Rita Sherman said the aim this year is to bring even more people to Lima.

"Lima is a small town, but this is like a big city experience," Sherman told reporters. "It’s a really big deal for the community and brings people to Lima that haven’t been here before."

The lineup features 22 bands on two stages and the American Hotel. Superior Walls, a Lima‑based company that employs 75 people, is the principal sponsor. Production manager Kevin Jacobs, who also serves on the council, noted that the company is building expanded storage facilities for the festival and for Lima Ambulance at no cost.

Jim Shelly, owner of Fanatics Pub on West Main Street, curates the music. Shelly has overseen the blues stage for 13 years and is credited with turning the festival into a regional draw. "The big day is Saturday," he said. "That’s when Destini Rawls takes the stage with her father, the legendary Johnny Rawls."

Saturday’s headline acts include Destini Rawls and her father, soul‑blues legend Johnny Rawls, and two‑time B.B. King award winner Sugar Ray Rayford on the West Main Street stage. Friday night opens with the Tony Holiday Band, known from Sirius XM blues playlists. The east Main Street stage, assembled by Jody Tyson of Tyson’s Upper Deck, hosts country and rock acts, including nationally known Claudia Hoyser on Sunday.

Beyond the music, the festival offers a full slate of family activities. Kids can enjoy a drone alley, pony rides, a petting zoo, a bounce house, and a puppet show. Adults can compete in the rib‑fest contest on Sunday or bed races on Saturday. Food trucks, vendors, and local artists add to the festive atmosphere.

A highlight for runners is the festival’s third annual 5‑K, scheduled for Saturday morning at 8 a.m. Registration opens until race time. As of Thursday, about 150 runners are confirmed, ranging from 8 to 79 years old. The course, designed by triathlete and race promoter Tori Andruczyk, is a simple square with a hill on College Street at the two‑mile mark.

Last year’s men’s winner, 17‑year‑old Nathan Brown, returned to defend his title and course record of 18:16. The women’s race was won in 2025 by Elizabeth Parmalee, 43, with a time of 22:33. Town board members Adam Lewis and Christopher Doe also entered the race.

Andruczyk said a 10‑foot guitar‑playing Lima Bean inflatable will serve as a backdrop for selfies. Custom trophies made of layered welded steel by TrippWells will be awarded to the top three finishers in both the men’s and women’s races.

The festival’s nearly 50 sponsors—including Superior Walls, Crossroads Chiropractic, Lakelands Concrete Products, Bears Playgrounds, CPL Engineering, SkyPort IT, and Fanatics Pub—make the free event possible. Jacobs emphasized that the festival is a community service, not a marketing vehicle.

"We’re not doing it for business or advertising,” he said. "I wanted to give back to the community and get more involved in the community."

The event also supports local not‑for‑profit organizations, with funds raised as part of the festival’s mission. The full schedule and additional details are available at www.limafest.org.

The 41st Lima Crossroads Festival continues to showcase a mix of blues, country, and rock while providing family‑friendly activities and a competitive 5‑K race. Its free admission and community‑driven sponsorship model underscore its role as a regional cultural gathering.