Harvest Jazz/Blues Fest getting international exposure

Fredericton's Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival, which runs Sept. 11-16, is getting a lot of national and international attention.

The Canadian Tourism Commission recently namedthe eventas one of Canada's top tourism experiences, part of itsSignature Experience Collection.

Fredericton's tourism manager David Seabrook said the CTC is bringingmedia from Japan, Korea and the United Statesto this month's festival.

"New Brunswick Tourism is bringing media from the United Kingdom," Seabrook added.

Seabrook also said the international attention could raise the festival from a regional draw to a national one.He hopes the increased publicity will lead to more funds for future events.

"We're hoping the federal government will announce another round of funding for the major Canadian festivals," he said. "We think in that next round of funding that Harvest Jazz and Blues Festival deserves to be in that funding group."

From its beginnings in 1991, the festival has grown into a major event attracting international artists.

"Increasing the visitation from international markets is all part of building the case for Harvest to be in the big league club of major Canadian festivals and eligible for major funding," Seabrook said.