Additions to this year's Limestone City Blues Festival well received

August 30, 2023

New additions to this year’s Limestone City Blues Festival, which took place this past weekend, were well received, according to the Downtown Kingston Business Improvement Area (BIA).

“The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive,” confirms Jan MacDonald, Artistic Director of the festival. “We’re really encouraged by the outcome.”

Having just wrapped its 26th edition, the long-running event has experienced a decrease in attendance post-pandemic. In an effort to breathe new life into the festival, the BIA incorporated a number of changes, including a licensed area, an artisan market, and a more musically diverse line-up. Along with the traditional inclusion of top-tier Blues performers, the Festival expanded on the range of genres showcased.

Over 60 concerts took place over the 4-day event, with 2 evenings of main stage performances in Springer Market Square, as well as fan favourite shows in Confederation Park and live music venues throughout downtown.

"We loved seeing the t-shirts from past festivals come through the gates, but we were also really excited to meet lots of people discovering the festival for the first time," says Festival Coordinator Sandi Griffiths.

Looking ahead to next year, the BIA promises more changes. “There are a lot of ideas on the table,” confirms MacDonald. “It’s an exciting time.”