Winning the blues

Tourism Thunder Bay plans to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Blues Festival with a getaway for two.

The Blues Getaway contest, in part of National Tourism week, runs until June 20 in time for the Blue Festival in July. The winning pair will receive passes to the festival and see headliners Grand Funk Railroad, Buddy Guy and Blue Rodeo.

The winners of the draw will also receive other prizes such as a fully accommodating three-night stay McVicar Manor, four day car rental and gift certificate for two at the world-famous Hoito Restaurant.

Contestants must be legal residents of Canada and the 50 United States, are at least 21 years of age or older at the time of entry.

To enter, contestants can apply online at www.visitthunderbay.com.

The Blues Festival kicks off on July 8 with Les Dudek leading the charge followed by Wild T and the Spirit and finishing the night with Grand Funk Railroad.

In the past, the Blues Festival has had a number of big names perform at the Marina Park stage and plenty of surprises.

Last year, The legendary guitarist Taj Mahal also performed on the Marina Park stage despite some border issues. Mahal and his fellow band members were stuck in Duluth and had to take a $350 U.S. cab ride in order to perform, about a half-an-hour behind schedule.

The crowd cheered even louder when Patrick Sharp showed up with the Stanley Cup along side Blues Traveler frontman John Popper.

Singer Nishina Esquaga surprised the audience and her boyfriend Mike Bebonang when she asked him to marry her on stage in 2009.

For a full the line of the 2011 Blues Festival head to http://www.tbayblues.ca/