The West Island Blues Festival has been around for 21 years. It’s an annual community event all over the West Island, celebrating the blues while helping local organizations financially. Errol Johnson founded the West Island Blues Festival 21 years ago alongside the current Mayor of the Montreal borough of Pierrefonds, Jim Beis.
Johnson shares, “My favorite memory that I have over the years is that when we started in this park, we started really and literally on the ground. We did not have a stage, right, so when I see the big stage that it’s set up and the art is performing, I feel so good at least we have elevated the festival to be a real blues festival.” Beis explains, “The whole mission behind West Island Blues Festival was not only to bring music, local talent, you know, international talent for that matter to the West Island, but it was also to raise awareness and funds to non-profit organizations where we have raised in the last 20 years close to half a million dollars.
“These are free events. We had our VIP event in Pierrefonds which is a paid event, which is really a big money-maker for us with the sponsors and everything, but also to have some intimate setting that we can perform, have a performer with us. “But the outdoor festivals are free festivals.
The only way we make money at these free festivals is either from the beer sales, the food sales or the donation boxes. “So for me, the highlight is getting everybody together, keeping everybody local.