It was supposed to be different. Now it will be.

JonesFest was not supposed to be a scaled-down version of the recently revived VexFest, but that’s how it turned out in 2008. It will be different this year.

Let’s catch you up, first. Jimmy DeCapua started his jam band, Jones For Revival, when he was in high school. As the band grew, his vision expanded to include the local independent music scene as a whole, and led to the formation, with three friends, of Youngstown Local Music — a promotional group with a Myspace website — and to the revival of the downtown music festival, VexFest, which had been discontinued after a successful run. That was 2007.

VexFest 4 was a success and a learning experience. While planning No. 5, YLM came up with the idea for a somewhat different type festival to open the outdoor season. JonesFest would be a little more intimate, more personal, less eclectic. Also held on Federal Plaza West, it was mostly just smaller.

JonesFest II will clearly be different, due almost entirely to a change of venue: Nelson Ledges Quarry Park.

“Nelson Ledges Quarry Park is an amazing venue, and we would’ve had it there from the beginning it we could have,” DeCapua explained recently. “The scenery is fantastic and at the Ledges, you can set up a camp site, fire, cook your own food, and basically have your own little party with your friends.” That’s what JonesFest was supposed to be, a musical party with some friends Jones For Revival has been making as they have progressed to a regional and national touring band. “At the Ledges, there is an underground music scene of bands and fans who travel all year long for live music,” he said. That was the original target audience.

The day-long event, Saturday, June 2, will feature Jones For Revival and Jazzam, out of Pittsburgh (featured at the All Good Music Festival this summer), and will include The Rusty Van Band from Cincinnati, Greenlief from Akron, Kent’s Winslow (popular, regular performers at Youngstown shows), Jahman Brahman out of Columbus, and Groove Prophets from Cleveland, as well as ‘local boys’ Acoustic Juggernaut, Young Stonians, Melva, ProBono and 5 Elements.

Entertainment also includes magician Jason Alan in the afternoon, belly dancers, and fire dancers on the beach at night, along with swimming, camping and wildlife. There is a $20 cover charge. Music starts at noon.

VexFest 6 is still on, set for Sunday, Aug. 23, with 40 bands downtown, and bigger than ever.

JonesFest II, June 6, will be different, smaller, and just the way it was meant to be, in its new home at Nelson Ledges.