Update: Pictures, etc August 22, 2010 this post
What is a Busker Festival?
Buskers are gutsy street performers. It's theatre in the street, comedians, contortionists, magicians and mimes, sword-swallowers and human statues. It's jugglers, escape artists and acrobats. Each performer tries to out performs the others, all for a toss of a coin in the hat.
Buskerfest Sign Brueckner Rhododendron Gardens ~ Lakeshore Road West
The Buskerfest 5 (the fifth annual festival) signs are up on Lakeshore Road West at the BRG west of Port Credit Village. The Buskerfest dates are:- Friday, August 20 from 7 p.m to 11 p.m.
- Saturday, August 21 from 1 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- Sunday, August 22 from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.
Buskerfest 5 Map of Performing Areas Port Credit Mississauga
There are 6 main performance areas (above). Here's a list of who is where, and the sponsors who make it possible:Number 1 (3 Stages,) Port Credit Memorial Park; sponsored by Peel Chrysler and Xtreme Tire Garage featuring the Fire Shows on Friday and Saturday night plus the Xtreme Finale on Sunday at 6:45 p.m., a charity show with all proceeds going to Options Mississauga, and Busker Academy, a new component sponsored by LaVilla Fine Foods featuring hourly workshops beginning at 1:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Learn how to juggle, do magic, walk on stilts, make balloon animals, creative clown face and more.
Number 2 Credit Village Marina; sponsored by the Paint the Town Red Committee (Canada Day Committee).
Number 3 Port Credit Harbour Marina; sponsored by Lake Affect Bar and Grill.
Number 4 Elizabeth St. South (No Frills); sponsored by Carmen Corbasson, Mississauga Ward One Councillor.
Number 5 Helene St. North sponsored by Pizza Pizza.
Number 6 Port Credit Village Square ( at TEN Restaurant, Hurontario and Lakeshore Rd East), sponsored by Charles Sousa, MPP, featuring buskers and vendors.
Almost every Busker rotates through the pitches (stage areas) so that each area has a nice variety of performers. In addition to the Busker Pitches, roaming performers will be visiting the shops all along the Lakeshore providing entertainment and fun for customers.
An early morning Busker Show will be featured at the Farmers Market (Lakeshore Road East of Hurontario) on Saturday morning, and buskers will also be roaming Lakeshore Road east of Hurontario throughout the Fest.
Please remember that this schedule may change without notice at any time. It’s Buskerfest!
Street Closures for Buskerfest:
Only two minor road closures over this festival weekend: Elizabeth Street South (No Frills) and Helene Street North.
From Brenda at Buskerfest 5:
"Our volunteers get more than just the opportunity to help out with an exciting event. They become a part of one of the most vibrant social communities in Ontario. It’s great fun!
"We need volunteers age 16 and over for Buskerfest 5 to work as Information representatives at each Busker site. We also need people to help with the set-up and tear-down, and for security and hospitality. There are great shifts, cool T-shirt, and interesting people to work with.
"Most volunteers act as' information booths': You get to sit in the tents and answer questions, and in effect, get priority seating for Buskerfest."
To find out more or to volunteer, come to the Orientation meeting on Tuesday, August 17th at 7 p.m. at the Port Credit Legion (googlemap) or email pc-volunteer@bellnet.net for more information, or to sign up if you cannot make the meeting.
You don't have to live in Port Credit to volunteer. Come out and meet other Mississaugans! It's more fun when you're involved.
Related:
Buskerfest Pictures from previous festivals.
Buskerfest scheduled Buskers
Saturday August 21 2010 : Update
Great time had by all on Friday night! To get a fairly up to date schedule, stop at the Buskerfest tents at the main locations on the map. There's a handout from the Port Credit Village Times that shows the performances, though no map is included.
If you have a copy from this paper delivered to many Mississauga homes this week, be aware that two of the stages/ pitches were inadvertently omitted in the printing process.
If you are not familiar with Port Credit, you may want to print out the location map (above) and bring it with you. In any event, it's not hard to orient yourself once you are on Lakeshore.
Today's events start at one o'clock and run until 11 tonight, with the big Fire Extravaganza set for 10:30 p.m. at Memorial Park, east side of the Credit River, across from Lighthouse.
See you there!
