July 8-19, Ottawa – The Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest is taking place once again this year at LeBreton Flats Park, located next to the Canadian War Museum on the Ottawa River. The event has grown from an audience of 5,000 people in 1994 to over 300,000 in 2006, making it the largest annual festival in Canada. This year’s line-up includes real-life guitar hero Jeff Beck, as well as Steve Earle, KISS, Ornette Coleman, Joe Cocker, Ben Harper and Relentless7, Blue Rodeo, and many more.

The festival has grown from a one-stage, three-day event to an 11-day, multi-genre extravaganza which features a diverse range of musical styles from rock to hip hop to, yes, even blues. The Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest now boasts five stages as well as a few performances held indoors in theatres and a gallery. Ticket prices range from $35 and up for day passes to $225 and up for a full festival passport.

Further ticket information is available here.
Images modified from The Cisco Ottawa Bluesfest,Encyclopedia Britannica, Exclaim!, and The Sydney Morning Herald.