FEELIN’ THE HEAT
Bluesfest Windsor pulls in crowds
An Environment Canada heat warning advised against too much activity, but it didn’t stop thousands from dancing and rocking through the weekend at the 2018 Bluesfest Windsor. Vendors sold and gave away over 24,000 bottles of water to thirsty festival goers before Sunday night. “The heat’s one step better than a storm, but not by much,” said Rob Petroni, president of LiUNA Bluesfest Windsor. Neither hot temperatures nor tight security stopped crowds from showing up over four days of live music.
Petroni estimates over 23,000 people purchased tickets over the course of the event.
At any given time, between 600 and 700 people were consistently hanging out at the festival food court, according to Petroni. The eating area was beneath some of the 15,000 square feet of plaza covered by tents, where seven vendors served food and drinks.
The first LiUNA Bluesfest’s budget was $135,000. Now in its third year, the 2018 festival budget was $1.2 million.
Around $500,000 of the cost paid for the performers. An additional $50,000 in extra lighting and audio systems went into this year’s event.
“Every year it’s gotten bigger,” said Petroni. “The performers have been nothing short of awesome.”
Artists this year included Eddie Money, Night Ranger, Colin James and Extreme.
Sunday’s Back to the 90’s set featured Vanilla Ice, Naughty By Nature, Rob Base, C+C Music Factory and more.
Every year it’s gotten bigger. The performers have been nothing short of awesome.