Once again music will fill the air for blocks around 12th Street and Main Street because Kitchen Pass is having its seventh-annual music festival.

The festival began Sept. 7 on the patio with music and a cajun shrimp boil. The bands playing were a three-piece acoustic band named Monte Montgomery and his opening act a blind acoustic solo act named Brian Lee.

Mike Pawlus, Kitchen Pass owner, said Montgomery sold out his last two shows at the Kitchen Pass in June and November and had standing-room only for this performance as well.

“Everyone who sees him turns into a fan,” Pawlus said.

Then on Sept. 8 the festival continued with a battle of the bands between Moniker, Georgia Overdrive, Far From Yesterday and Brown Bag.

All four bands are previous winners from the battle of the bands series Kitchen Pass had all summer, and this is the final showdown.

The festival will continue Friday with a bit of the blues. Starting on the patio are The Bel Airs and a Kitchen Pass favorite by the name of Oreo Blue.

Inside, Ben Miller & Captain Washboard will take the stage followed by Albert Cummings.

The food tent will feature barbeque chicken, sausage and beef brisket.

The festival ends Saturday with burgers and bratwursts at the food tent and Ben Miller & Captain Washboard followed by Big Smitty on the patio.

Miller is somewhat of a local favorite according to some Missouri Southern students.

“They are an experience you won’t forget, and I plan on seeing them both nights” said Meagan Pietrzak, senior business major.

Friday and Saturday the cover at the door is $10 to see all the acts.

“You can just roam the whole place and check out three or four bands for that fee” Pawlus said.

Anyone who wants to see the festival can go to the Kitchen Pass at 1212 S. Main St. in Joplin. Only those 21 and older are allowed.

After the festival the music will continue on the patio every weekend until the end of September, and will continue inside after that.

“The Kitchen Pass always has a good atmosphere, good people, good bands and good times” said Sara Hood, junior criminal justice major.