Bluesfest Day 3

Bluesfest Day 2 started off with rain, Bluefest Day 3 started off with a train blocking the entrance for over half an hour. Because it took so long, the crowds started to build and actually cheered after it was finally done. I was able to pass the time by talking to the cops that were making sure people stayed off the tracks. They had actually heard about my blog entry where I rode along with the Thunder Bay Police. It was cool talking to them in the meantime and also learning a few more things about Canadian law enforcement.

The crazy thing is there was not 1 train, but 2 trains going on each of the tracks.

Active railroad crossing with red flashing signals and crowds of people gathered behind barriers, police and emergency vehicles visible in background Close-up of railroad crossing signal with illuminated red lights, freight train car with graffiti passing in background Long CP Rail freight train with covered hopper cars bearing graffiti passing through crossing on sunny day Government of Canada rail car with graffiti at grade crossing, railroad crossing gate visible in foreground Rail car featuring elaborate pink and black graffiti mural with stylized animal or creature design Large crowd of spectators wearing sun hats gathered at urban railroad crossing with city buildings and transit bus visible White police SUV parked near railroad crossing with long freight train passing, small building and fence in background Dense crowd of people in sun hats and summer clothing gathered at railroad crossing event, urban streetscape behind Police officer in black uniform watching CP Rail freight train pass at crossing, crowd visible in background Large group of spectators lined along chain-link fence watching railroad crossing, tall building with Canadian flag visible Close-up detail of industrial rail tank car showing ladder, equipment, and SOO Line markings Multiple freight cars at crossing including CP Rail boxcars and SOO Line hoppers viewed between railroad gates Crowd of diverse spectators gathered along fence at railroad crossing event on sunny day Festival crowd along fence with prominent Canadian flag flying atop multi-story building in background Empty railroad tracks stretching into distance with blue sky, buildings, and pedestrian bridge visible ahead

After a long wait, I was finally able to get in and walk around.

Large outdoor festival with hundreds of attendees in lawn chairs, multiple white tents, and stage area

Ryan was with me so we went to the beer tent. I was planning on staying sober that night, so I drank the free soda they had. The great thing about Bluefest is they had free soda, water, and wifi.

Interior of white event tent with people preparing food or beverages at tables Two large coolers filled with bottled beverages on wooden table at outdoor event tent Water cooler dispenser surrounded by large blue water bottles inside pink-trimmed event tent

While it wasn't raining when I got there, the clouds got threatening.

Dramatic dark storm clouds gathering over outdoor festival with white tents and vendors visible below Festival scene with people at picnic tables under threatening storm clouds, vendor tents visible in background Large crowd facing outdoor amphitheater stage under dark storm clouds during music festival Parking lot with vehicles including SUV with kayak on roof, dramatic storm clouds overhead Massive dark storm clouds with shelf cloud formation over waterfront area with white tent visible Sailboat and small motorboat on large body of water with distant plateau visible on horizon Dramatic V-shaped gap in dark storm clouds with bright light breaking through, industrial building silhouette below Festival attendees at picnic tables under dark storm clouds, vendor tents and parking lot lights visible Festival grounds with building, vendor tents, and picnic tables under heavy gray storm clouds Festival crowd at picnic tables under dramatic dark storm clouds, stage and vendor tents in background Festival building with first aid tent and vendor booths under stormy skies, people seated at picnic tables Festival vendor area with Canadian flag on tent, people at picnic tables under dark cloudy sky Festival food vendors and picnic tables under threatening storm clouds, people dining outdoors Waterfront view with small building and boats on lake under dark rain clouds approaching shore Blue motorboat on choppy water with dark storm clouds and rain curtain visible over distant lighthouse Waterfront parking area with vehicle and small building, boats on water under dark storm system Historic grain elevator on small rocky island in lake under dramatic stormy sky Same grain elevator on island with dark storm clouds building overhead, choppy water surrounding Several boats moored on gray water under heavy dark storm clouds, rocky shoreline in foreground White sailboat and motorboat on open water with massive dark storm wall approaching from distance Historic concrete grain elevator complex on rocky island jutting into lake water, cloudy sky above Waterfront view with historic grain elevator on small island, dark storm clouds looming over lake, rocky shoreline in foreground

Before I knew it, I was under the beer tent again (along with many other people), because it was pouring.

Police officer in black uniform walking across wet festival grounds with vendor tents and building in background

The storm finally passed, and there was a cool rainbow.

Festival building silhouetted against dramatic dark storm clouds with bright sunlight breaking through openings SUV with kayak on roof rack and recycling container at waterfront parking area, rainbow visible over lake Multiple sailboats and motorboats moored on calm water with dark storm clouds overhead, green shoreline visible Historic concrete grain elevator on rocky island with vibrant rainbow arcing across sky over lake Rainbow stretching over lake with several boats moored near shore, dark storm clouds above, rocky shoreline Boats floating on calm lake water with dark storm clouds clearing to reveal patches of blue sky Festival crowd gathered at picnic tables under blue sky, volunteer in white event t-shirt visible among attendees Blue sky filled with wispy white cirrus clouds, top of person's head visible at bottom edge

The bands continued to play during that time. I guess their canopy over the stage served them well.

Crowd watching band perform on outdoor amphitheater stage with distinctive orange and white shell roof

In the meantime, I was getting hungry, so I got some perogies.

Food vendor menu boards showing Knights of Columbus charity items with prices for hamburgers, pierogis, and beverages White disposable bowl containing pierogis topped with sour cream and white plastic fork, drink cup beside

I went to the Pier Bar with Ryan, and of course, when we got back, there was yet another train blocking the entrance.

People gathered at active railroad crossing with CP Rail boxcar and illuminated crossing signals

The bands before Randy Bachman were good, but he also put on a good show. I did a lap around to get a good pic of him.

Rock band performing on outdoor stage with blue lighting effects at dusk, crowd silhouettes in foreground

The Guess Who and Bachman Turner Overdrive are also some of my favorite bands. The first time I went to Winnipeg I actually told the border guards the reason I was visiting Winnipeg was the fact that The Guess Who was from there (and yes, this got me pulled into secondary questioning). I had seen the current lineup at the Marshfield Fair before that, but Randy Bachman wasn't part of it. It was great actually being able to see him in concert, and he played a lot of my favorite Guess Who and BTO tunes.

After the concert was done, it was a bit of a cold and foggy night. Everyone scurried out of the festival grounds really fast, and it was definitely a mass migration of people out (at least there wasn't a train blocking everyone this time).

Weather app screenshot displaying Thunder Bay at 57°F partly cloudy with wind information and lightning alert Large crowd dispersing at night under street lights after festival event, vendor tents visible in background Dense nighttime crowd near railroad crossing signals with illuminated street lights creating warm glow Festival attendees walking on city street at night with illuminated McDonald's sign and buildings visible People crossing urban intersection at night with vehicles, street lights, and McDonald's golden arches in background Blurred motion shot of crowd walking on city street at night with street lights and buildings visible in background Dark SUV parked in foggy parking lot at night with street lights creating glowing halos through heavy mist

This was the last night of Bluesfest. The festival itself was great, and I think I might have to make this a regular thing if they continue to have good lineups. It was awesome seeing the Barenaked Ladies and Randy Bachman. Even the bands I never heard of were really good!

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