A $2-million investment in Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest by the federal government will be used to expand free programming and spread the word about one of North America’s biggest music festivals, organizers said yesterday.
Thanks to the funding, Bluesfest will increase the level of activity in the ByWard Market, said the festival’s artistic director Mark Monahan. The programming will be expanded from five to six days this year, with organizers to announce the lineup next week.
Organizers are also launching an international marketing campaign and announcing enhanced programming at LeBreton Flats Park, Monahan said. “We expect to have a major announcement on that by June 1.”
A study released by the Canadian Festivals Coalition estimates 15 of the largest festivals and events in Canada — including Bluesfest — attract 12.6 million attendees annually, contribute $650 million to their local economies, and support the equivalent of 15,600 full-year jobs nationwide.
