All Quiet At Blues Fest, Except Onstage

CHICAGO (CBS) -- There was a heavy police presence on the opening night of the Chicago Blues Festival in Grant Park on Friday, perhaps due to concern over the wave of mob attacks that have many residents on edge.

CBS 2's Mike Parker was there.

It was cold and damp in the park, there seemed to be a threat of cold rain in the air, but the folks attending the first night's concert seemed to be transported somewhere else. Maybe that somewhere else was the hot and sticky Mississippi Delta.

This is the largest free admission blues festival on the planet, after all. As many as 500,000 blues fans are expected during the three-day event.

Blues fan Samantha Tierney said she had no concerns about her safety.

"Everyone here is so nice. Everyone here gets along very well," she said.

Scores of Chicago Police officers were visible everywhere in the park to make sure things stayed friendly.

"A lot of people think the blues is sad," blues fan David Melvin. "It's rejoicing, moving on, living life and being happy."

Another festival-goer, John Owrey, said he believes Chicago is "the best city on earth."

"I just came back from New York City and believe me – Chicago – this is it," he said.

Since the end of World War II, Chicago has been the center of blues, mixing the rural Delta tradition with the gritty urban sound found here.