104,526 Reasons Bluesfest 2014 Was One For The Books

With the dust now settled on the 25th Byron Bay Bluesfest, and eyes already turning towards what's in store for next year's event, comes the official recognition today of 2014's festival as the biggest in Bluesfest history – in more ways than one.

Over the five days of festivities, Bluesfest 2K14 brought 104,526 punters through its gates – about 300 more than in 2013 – while more than 5600 campers filled the grounds with their tents, sleeping bags and (presumably) assorted contraband.

The festival featured 109 artists this year, including 39 on the road before, during and after the festival, who – between local and touring artists – filled out 3159 rooms for accommodation.

Also worth mentioning was the attendance of several current and former politicians, including the Hon Tony Burke, the Hon Anthony Albanese, the Hon Don Page, Councillor Sol Ibrahim, Minister Robyn Parker, ex-treasurer Wayne Swan and former member Janelle Saffin.

On the consumption front, the festival attendees made their way through a whopping 40,000 cups of coffee across the event, while the artists alone downed 1844 meals in that time. To give that stat a side of the warm-and-fuzzies, leftover food was donated from Bluesfest Catering and food stalls to the Byron Youth Service, The Liberation Larder and The Salvation Army. An additional four tonnes of organic waste were donated to a local pig farmer.

That was not the only charitable aspect of the festival, though – in addition to its support of Australian Seabird Rescue, Bay FM, Byron Youth Service, Cancer Council, Playing For Change, The Uncle Project, and Westpac Lifesaver Rescue,  Bluesfest is now renowned as the highest annual fundraising contributor in the country to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, this year raising a record $55,000 and bringing their lifetime donation total to $374,000.

The festival was also happy to note that there were a grand total of zero incidents involving the area's resident koalas this year. Score one for punters' respectful interaction with the surrounding environment.

And, as something of a cherry on top for all these watershed achievements, next year's event already looks to be attempting a repeat performance, with more than 6000 pre-early bird tickets already sold for the Bluesfest 2015.

Pre-early bird tickets to the 26th annual Bluesfest are available at the festival website for a limited time. Phone (02) 6685 8310 for more information.