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This was our first year at the bbq and blue festival. We would recommend going to our friends for sure. We're already talking about next year. Colin James rocked the house on Saturday along with the others and the Sunday bands were just as great. Hopefully, the line up will be as good, if not better next year.
Third year attending. I was sorry I only went on Saturday as Sunday would have been great also. I was concerned on how things would be setup at Shaw Park compared to Assiniboia Downs. No longer concerned. The venue was setup so that people could sit in the stands or on the field for a more intimate experience. Food trucks offered a good variety of food choices. I would have been very disappointed if there would have only been the park vendors available. Music was good, but not sure if I would consider Colin James a Blues act but it was OK. Overall a great time for anyone who likes the Blues and listening to music in the outdoors. Might want to advertise to get the word out next year as many people I spoke with were unaware of the event this year.
Had a relaxing fun time. Enjoyed the food. Entertainment was great. Time between performances was great. Seating was also great.
This was my first time going to this event. I was very cool to be able to see the competitors cook and slice their food, although we weren't able to try it! The music was great and food was awesome. You don't actually have to sit in the seats, you can bring a lawn chair and set it up in front of the main stage. The reason I gave this event three stars is because nothing was free even though the day passes were pretty expensive, and there wasn't a lot of activities. If you like to eat maple whiskey pulled pork sandwiches (recommended!!) and listen to blues music all day in the sun, this is for YOU!!!
I really enjoyed the festival and its new location. I have gone each year with friends and this year was the best yet. Excellent performances by the above as well as Romi Mayes, Watermelon Slim. The two stages worked well. Sound on the main stage exceeded my expectations especially when outside.
Great food, great music, The most beautiful night wheather wise
Last year had more artists. Still like the Downs better.
Prefer the Red River Ex Park location. Did not enjoy the Mrs. Jones Gospel Revue. It was a slow jazz concert not gospel music.
It was a very loose definition of "Blues music". Apart from Watermelon Slim, the Harpoonist and the Axe Murderer, and of course, Big Dave MacLean, there was little, if any, blues music. Thank goodness for Dave. For me, he saved the festival from being a complete washout. And as for the Sunday morning gospel group, yes they had powerful and wonderful voices but where the heck was the gospel music??? Only one of the singers performed a couple of gospel songs. This festival needs to take some lessons from the Wpg Folk Festival's gospel morning shows. Now that's how a gospel session should go.
I enjoyed this event both days. but left early in robert cray because he was putting me to sleep with too many slow blues songs. (which are my favorite) I think colin james may would have been a better closer for the concert end. then we leave put saying can't wait til next not like now we are talking about rethinking the event
I loved everything about this event. The venue was brilliant. The program was full. The food was fun. But the highlight was the music. Great blend of local talent and recording superstars. Watermelon Slim was special, both on and off stage. If only the weather had cooperated just a couple more hours. As Colin James covered, "Oh Well". Can't wait for next year.
In speaking with those I attended with and others we all agreed the music was good. We were not pleased with the prices of food, drinks and the merchandise (shirts etc.). It was over priced and found we had to all run to the bank machine after spending $100 within 3-4 hours of being there. When you factor the ticket prices in for 2 people for only one day most of us spent about $240 per couple for basically 7 hours. We all would not attend next year unless prices for food/drinks/merchandise was lowered.
This was a fabulous festival with top notch entertainers. The food was really good on site with a great selection to choose from. The venue (Shaw Park) was excellent; nice grounds and central location. The sound system was amazing. I would definitely recommend this festival to my friends.
The bands and music was great! Good sounds and selections. Our only regret was the BBQ food. We stood in line for over an hr @ 1 food truck only to give our order and they already started running out of things. The food was mediocre not very tasty.
What an event. Great move to Shaw Park, was better location than I thought. Great acts, people were so friendly. You could go back to your car and change, beer and shots were 7dollars, which was decent. Food was great and prices were good. All and all just a fantastic day and event.
Very enjoyable weekend. Extremely well organized. Too bad Robert Cray played so many slow numbers..lost the crowd and never got it back, PLUS the dopes up top wouldn't shut ups, so made it hard to hear him.
The music at this year's BBQ & Blues was terrific - better than last year. We were not impressed with how the competitors were placed at Shaw Park. It would have been better if they would have been around the field instead of outside the gate. They were left out of the whole spirit of the event. The food was not great. My husband is a lover of BBQ ribs and he was not impressed by the food vendors' fare. He sampled most of the food on site and left hungry for really good ribs. I myself do not eat meat, so was quite disappointed in the optional food choice - I do eat fish/seafood and was disappointed that there wasn't even BBQ shrimp. I had to settle for a cheese pizza which was not very good. We were pleased with the event being at Shaw Park. We also liked the Red River Ex location.
The change of venue was surprisingly okay. I was not so sure on the new location, how it would all flow, but it seemed to work well for the music and food aspects of the festival, which are huge parts to be sure! However, I didn't take the time to walk out of the park to really check out the bbq masters at work because it seemed exactly that, out of the park, not a part of the whole experience. The musicians were top-notch! Robert Cray Band is fantastic but the whole event did not finish with a bang with this set. I love Cray's voice and music but it seemed just a little mellow for the big finale.
This was my first time at the Winnipeg BBQ & BLUES Festival and what a great time. I really enjoyed the BBQ/picnic atmosphere. The music was great and the food was excellent.
I am not into blues but I am now. it was a nice small event. no lines no wait times. Although the name is miss leading. I think the BBQ should be sold or atleast given away or something, I n that and prairie jam it is needed. it was awesome being able to sit where ever and not worrying who is in your spot or having to watch the whole thing by one angle.
