The 30th annual Syracuse Jazz Fest was again a hit for tens of thousands of people who visited Jamesville Beach Park for this year's event. As Brad Vivacqua tells us, there are a few reasons for its consistent success.

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JAMESVILLE, N.Y. --There's nothing quite like taking in some great music on a sunny Saturday.

That's what Jo Anne Bakeman was doing at Jamesville Beach Park, the new home of Syracuse Jazz Fest.

"Fantastic variety of music from different genres not just jazz. And, it's a social occasion," said North Syracuse resident Jo Anne Bakeman.

For thirty years in multiple sites the festival has been quite the drawing card for tens of thousands of people. This was Harry Stojka's third appearance in the festival with his band from Vienna Austria.

"The audience appreciates it. They're very open to any kind of music. Any style of music and that makes it very special," said Musician Harry Stojka.

"Organizers said the county, corporate sponsors, and music fans from across the region have all played important roles in helping keep this event alive for three decades.

"You know you don't get to thirty years without a lot of support. You have to have support from musicians and artists. Headliners, big named headliners and stars, they love to play this festival. And, the reason they love to play this festival is because festival audiences and the fans here are so tremendous," said Jazz Fest Director Frank Malfitano.

Although it's taken hard work to continuously make this a free event, it's been an effort officials say has been worthwhile.

Music fans hope it will come back.

"It's very important to me because I believe it's one of the finest things that Syracuse has. This is one of the finest things that happen in Central New York," said Bakeman.

And the finer things are the ones you'd like to keep.