The Lowertown Blues & Funk Festival happened for the first time in 2005 (originally called Famous Dave's BBQ & Blues Festival), organized by promoter Steven Heckler, in Minneapolis. Then, it wasn't able to be held for a few years starting with 2012 because of location issues, and it landed in Mears Park in Lowerton, St. Paul, in 2014. It has become incredibly popular and grown since then, and they have included the Youth Performance Stage to highlight up-and-coming talent. Some of the acts featured throughout the years have included Shemakia Copeland, Boogie Wonderland, and Big Walter Smith.