TRURO - Crowds at this year's Dutch Mason Blues Festival were noticeably reduced from 2010 but organizers are being mum on just what the numbers were.
"We're not releasing the numbers from the festival," spokeswoman Margaret Bentley said, adding that organizers have determined for a variety of reasons that future attendance figures will also not be disclosed.
Last year's concert numbers were estimated at about 18,000.
RCMP Sgt. Al Affleck, who helped provide security at this year's event, said following the festival that he estimated the crowd size for the Saturday night's show to be about two thirds of the 2010 figures.
Attendance for the 2009 festival was estimated at 15,500, while the figures for the 2008 show, when Bonnie Raitt headlined the event, were set at about 15,000.
Figures were not available for the 2007 festival, the first year it was held in Bible Hill.
Approximately 2,200 people attended the Blue Rodeo concert, which was held just prior to this summer's blues fest and which reportedly raised between $45,000 and $50,000 for the regional civic centre's Ignitie the Spirit campaign.
As with past Dutch Mason festivals, the weather remained stellar throughout this year's show and both police and organizers said the event did not generate any issues or complaints.
Thoroughly enjoyed the Blues Fest. Myself and two friends came from Winnipeg to attend and had a great time. Enjoyed the late night jam also. Great party. I was amazed to find how many people who live in Truro that do not attend this event. This festival needs more support as I thought there would be more people attending. We'll be back, but would like to see more big names as compared to 2010 when there were at lease 6 big name famous atrists, that people recognize. People wake up, you don't know what you are missing. See you next year.....................