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CentreFest infusing downtown with entertainment for 16th year

Jul 25, 2018 | 9:03 PM

CentreFest is back with a fresh slate of performers and entertainers in downtown Red Deer this weekend.

In its 16th year, CentreFest is growing and attendance is expected to be high with plenty of sunshine in the forecast.

Festival Director Janice Shimek says CentreFest is part of the fabric of the summer schedule in Red Deer and the kind of event that’s needed to build community.

“It would be a pretty sad place to live if nothing happened in the summer months. CentreFest, because it is a free event, is something that attracts people that might not have funds to attend the bigger events,” Shimek says. “We get a lot of families and that’s what drives most of us.”

In addition to the street performers, this year’s edition of CentreFest will feature Music World, Water World and Circus World.

The adults-only variety showcase goes Friday night at The Krossing.

Organizers held a pair of very successful fundraisers in the lead-up to the festival – Benefit on the Bridge and the Battle of the Buskers, but Shimek says they’re still not where they’d like to be.

“We were never able to fill the presenting sponsorship role, so we would love to have someone’s name branded with CentreFest,” she explains.

“We do with what we have. We want to make sure this festival continues, so we dig deep and try to make it work.”

Street closures will be in effect on Saturday and Sunday at Ross Street from 48 Avenue to Little Gaetz. Free parking will be available on nearby streets and at Sorensen Station.