An estimated 15,000 people will visit Moncton’s Riverfront Park for the second annual Moncton Buskers Festival.
The three-day festival is a partnership between the City of Moncton and Downtown Moncton Centre-ville Inc., and is set to get underway on Friday, July 12, and continue through Sunday, July 14.
The origins of buskers or street performers date back thousands of years. In many countries, the rewards are generally in the form of money, but other gratuities such as food, drink, or gifts may also be given.
Patrick Richard, the executive director of Downtown Moncton Centre-ville Inc., says performances will cover a wide range of entertainment, from acrobatics to puppeteering, fortune-telling to street theatre, all offered by solo performers or small groups.
This includes The Street Circus, Magic Brian, Mighty Mike, Cate Great, and Pogo Fred.
“Last year was our first festival, and we met some great fantastic folks. The artists are amazing people and they tour the world, so we’re just really lucky to have them here in downtown Moncton,” said Richard.
“We would be remiss if we did not recognize the overwhelming local talent and heritage culture which surrounds us every day, right here in our downtown.”
Local performers include violinist Dominique Dupuis of Memramcook and Shediac’s Art Richard, who won Acadian Artist of the Year in 1994 with several songs ranked number one on the radio.
North Sydney, N.S., comedian Hughie Batherson will also be performing. Batherson has completed two “Just for Laughs” tours, participated in the Hubcap Comedy Festival, and has performed nationwide.
Richard says tipping is a generous way to donate at the busker festival.
