How it all began...
Since its inception in 2019, the Bluesberry Festival has grown from a casual coffee date between friends into an award-winning event. Over the past four years, it has become a beloved cultural event on the Northshore. In 2022, the festival was recognized by Off Beat magazine as the "Best of the Best" - Best Festival outside of New Orleans. In 2024, Co-Founders Sarada Bonnett and Sarah Cottrell founded a non-profit organization to enhance their mission of bringing music and art to the community, ensuring the festival continues to thrive and enrich the local cultural landscape.
Meet The Founders
Sarada Bonnett
Role: Co-Founder
Background: Sarada Bonnett is a seasoned event organizer, best known for running the Three River's Art Festival in Covington, an annual event attracting over 50,000 visitors over a two-day weekend. She also serves as the Director of Cultural Events for Covington and is a Commissioner for the parish's Commission of Cultural Arts and Affairs. Her love of music started at an early age, inspired by her mother, Sherry Davis, who opened for Elvis and Buddy Holly played backup on her first demo. Sarada’s daughter Madison Tripp is also an accomplished singer.
Vision: Sarada brings a rich legacy and profound enthusiasm for the arts to the Bluesberry Festival, aiming to create a vibrant cultural experience for the community.
Sarah Cottrell
Role: Co-Founder
Background: Originally from England, Sarah Cottrell's career includes working for Mick Jagger and the Rolling Stones. After spending many years in Los Angeles, she settled in Covington, where she runs the St. Tammany market for Northshore Media Group and publishes EDGE of the Lake magazine. She also sits on the board of the Northshore Cultural Economy Coalition.
Vision: Sarah's extensive experience in the entertainment industry and media brings invaluable expertise and a global perspective to the Bluesberry Festival, helping it grow into a celebrated event that attracts diverse audiences.
Sarah Federer
Role: Co-Founder (Former)
Background: A lifelong resident of the Northshore, Sarah Federer has a robust background in marketing and public relations. In 2024, she made the difficult decision to step away from producing the festival to spend more time with her young family.
Vision: Sarah's strategic marketing and PR skills were instrumental in the rapid growth and success of the Bluesberry Festival, making it one of the most popular music and arts events on the Northshore.