Bluesfest kicks off at Lansdowne: Here's what you need to know about the festival
Ottawa Bluesfest returns to the stage this weekend for the first time in two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
It's the second weekend of the Ottawa Fall Festivals, put on by the organizers of RBC Ottawa Bluesfest and CityFolk. Three nights of music are set for the Great Lawn at Lansdowne Park Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
The 2020 and 2021 Ottawa Bluefest events at LeBreton Flats were cancelled due to COVID-19 and the public health measures restricting crowd sizes.
For the next three nights, Canadian singers Jann Arden, Barenaked Ladies, Half Moon Run, Tokyo Police Club, MonkeyJunk and Tom Cochrane and Red Rider are among the acts set to perform at Lansdowne.
COVID-19 restrictions include only fully vaccinated fans allowed to attend the festival, all patrons must wear a mask at all times except while eating and drinking and capacity is capped at 5,000 people a night.
"We were pleasantly surprised that people were ready to show their proof of vaccination," said Bluesfest executive director Mark Monahan about last week's CityFolk.
"There were no extensive lineups at the gate. It was really just a lot of positive comments about coming out again and listening to live music outside."
With rain in the forecast for the next three days, Ottawa Fall Festivals says the event will go on "rain or shine." Announcements on any delays will be made through social media channels and at the festival.
Musician Lauryn Macfarlane is looking forward to performing at Bluesfest.
"This is definitely the biggest gig with my own tunes that I'm playing," said Macfarlane. "And it's just me and my guitar so I'm like, OK, excited."
Macfarlane adds, "I’m gonna be like, just stay in your body, it’s just you in your body, don’t freak yourself out too much about it. But I am very excited."
Here is a look at what you need to know about RBC Ottawa Bluesfest.
OTTAWA BLUESFEST LINE-UP
Thursday
- Lauryn Macfarlane
- Aysanabee
- Tokyo Police Club
- Half Moon Run
Friday
- Ryland James
- Barenaked Ladies
- Jann Arden
Saturday
- MonkeyJunk
- April Wine
- Tom Cochrane and Red Rider
TICKETS
Tickets are only available online for RBC Ottawa Bluesfest. There will be no box office onsite to purchase tickets.
Visit Ottawa Fall Festivals to purchase tickets.
NO CASH
Ottawa Fall Festivals are completely cashless for all purchases on the site, including drinks, food and merchandise.
You can use Apple Pay, Google Pay, tap to pay and all major credit cards at RBC Ottawa Bluesfest.
ATTENDANCE ON THE GREAT LAWN
Attendance will be capped at 5,000 patrons each night during RBC Ottawa Bluesfest to ensure enough space for physical distancing.
Organizers say this is below 50 per cent of the Great Lawn's full capacity.
COVID-19 VACCINATION POLICY
Only fully vaccinated COVID-19 fans will be allowed to attend RBC Ottawa Bluesfest this weekend.
"There are no exemptions (religious or medical reasons) without proof and (patrons) will be required to prove status at the gates either through a digital or printed copy," says a message on the website.
Attendees must comply with the Festival Fan Health Pledge.
Everyone must wear a mask onsite at all times. Organizers say the removal of a mask is allowed as per provincial guidelines when you are eating, drinking, or for other medical reasons.
TRAVELLING TO THE FESTIVAL
OC Transpo service is free to and from the festival. Show your ticket to board transit from three hours before gates open and three hours after the final performance of the night.
Parking is available at Lansdowne Park.
There will be no supervised bike parking at Ottawa Bluesfest.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Robert Pickton to remain in medically induced coma until later this week: police
Serial killer Robert Pickton will remain in a medically induced coma for at least the next few days following an attack in a Quebec prison Sunday, according to police spokesperson Hugues Beaulieu.
Charlie Colin, founding member of the pop-rock band Train, dies at 58
Charlie Colin, bassist and founding member of the American pop-rock band Train, best known for their early-aughts hits like 'Drops of Jupiter' and 'Meet Virginia,' has died. He was 58.
'Five feet nothing': Pickton's safety likely behind Quebec transfer, says ex-prison judge
When serial killer Robert Pickton was transferred from British Columbia's Kent Institution to a maximum security prison in Quebec about six years ago, correctional authorities gave no public explanation or confirmation at the time, citing privacy.
'I feel betrayed': Ottawa-area customers out thousands of dollars warn of bad faith contractor
A group of people from eastern Ontario and western Quebec is issuing a warning about Dennis Walker and his company Vue Windows.
Fancy pigeon outfitted in custom diaper has free rein in B.C. family home
When Chrissy Chin volunteered to take in a fancy pigeon abandoned on a park bench, she never imagined she would one day be ordering custom-made diapers for the bird – who lives in her house and has become a member of the family.
'We'll need all hands on deck': Details emerge after deadly boat crash near Kingston
Police say they have wrapped up their on-scene investigation into a deadly boat crash in eastern Ontario as details of the incident begin to emerge.
WestJet planning new fare category for travellers willing to forgo carry-on bag
WestJet Airlines plans to launch a new cheaper fare category that would be available to travellers willing to fly without a carry-on bag.
5 dead and at least 35 hurt in Iowa tornado: officials
Five people died and at least 35 were hurt as powerful tornadoes ripped through Iowa Tuesday, with one carving a path of destruction through the town of Greenfield, officials said.
Woman found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017 matches identity of missing person in Switzerland
Genetic genealogy has helped Toronto police identify a woman who was found dead in Lake Ontario in 2017.