Stone Soul Festival begins in Springfield

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - When Jay Griffin helped organize the first Stone Soul Festival in Springfield 24 years ago, he was confident the concept would catch on.

Now almost a quarter of a century later, thousands attend the Labor Day weekend event at Springfield's Blunt Park.

People out of touch the rest of the year, cone from all over the country to get re-acquainted Labor Day weekend. Griffin recalled that first year. “When we started writing down a few names we had about 400-500 people we were going to invite. When we had the actual event it was at Forest Park, 1500 people showed up. “

And Griffin's certain this year's stone soul picnic will attract many more visitors who live in Springfield as well as those from out of town