The Annual Kitchener Blues Festival: 2023

August 10th to the 13th was the annual Blues Festival in Kitchener, Ontario at City Hall. This is known to be the biggest Blues Festival in all of Canada. The top Blues artists aspire to perform at this event. It's a Blues fan's dream.

People from all over the world attend this festival and the hotels were booked.

A section of King Street was blocked off starting from the stage at City Hall.

Vendors were decorating King Street with all their products, art, crafts, food and music. There was lots to see, eat, and hear. A true mesh of people and culture.

The stores and restaurants located near the event were busy. It was like a big party on King Street. People were happy to try new places without travelling.

There was also an information booth for anyone needing programs, directions, or services. You can purchase memorabilia of the Blues Festival and also get access to maps of the city. This is a great service for anyone from out of town.

There were tents where certain bands were playing. Having a schedule can let you know all the performance times. This saves on lineups and getting seats.

For anyone who missed the Blues Festival this summer, here is a list of some of the artists who had the privilege of performing at the City Hall stage.

The Dandy Warhols - I Mother Earth - A Flock Of Seagulls - Men Without Hats - Digging Roots - Odds - Spin Doctors - Mr.Sipp - David Gogo

The Grapes Of Wrath - Thorbjorn Risager and The Black Tornado - Albert Cummings - Monkeyjunk - Samantha Fish FT. Jesse Dayton

Endrick and The Sandwiches - Miss Angel and The Homewreckers - The Weber Brothers - Brooke Blackburn - Dawn Tyler Watson - Jay Moonah

Errol Blackwood / Injahahband - Halloween Animal - Shewolves Of London - Justin Saladino Band - The Legendary Downchild Blues Band - Stealing Dan

Steve Strongman Band - The Tonewheels - Patrick Alexandre

Samantha Martin and Delta Sugar - Spencer Mackenzie - Mike Mickenna's Slidewinder Blues Band - Dwayne Laforme's Boogie Blues

Harrison Kennedy - Lyle Odjick and The Northern Steam - Gospel Breakfast

Get Back: The Roof Top Concert The Beatles Never Gave. Youth Legacy Challenger Winner: The Trainwrecks. Grand River Blues Camp and much more.

I love when streets are blocked off in the summer to cater to music and vendors. It's so much fun. It puts the whole people first instead of industry into the light.

Listening to the Blues Festival music as you walked down King Street was surely a summer treat. It really didn't matter where you sat, there was music ringing all around you. Music surrounded you. The mood and the vibe was up-lifting.

Walking down King Street, being showered with music and captivated by the smells of various foods was like a collage of life. Living out loud with everyone.

People were laughing, talking, singing, dancing, holding hands and really embracing the moment. It was heart-touching, soothing and healing.

It's days like this that remind me of the power of music. It transcends, transforms and can make us happy. This was a made-my-day experience.