(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

july 28-30

CentreFest to mark 20th year of street performances in downtown Red Deer

Jul 14, 2023 | 11:54 AM

Twenty years is a long time for anything, and CentreFest reaches that milestone this summer as the popular street-performer event returns to downtown Red Deer, July 28-30.

CentreFest, put on by a dedicated group of organizers, will be primarily contained to Ross Street and Little Gaetz this year, with Circus World in City Hall Park.

The daily schedule is as follows:

Friday, July 28: 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. (mini performance preview show in Veterans Park on Ross Street)

Saturday, July 29: 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

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Sunday, July 30: 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

There are six street performers this year, including from Canada the United Kingdom, the United States and New Zealand.

CentreFest 2022. (rdnewsNOW/Josh Hall)

“There will be really thrilling acrobatic performances, including from Reuben DotDotDot who is very entertaining. We’ve got The Last Strongman Mighty Mike, a Canadian artist who juggles bowling balls, which is kind of terrifying,” says Chelsea Bates, CentreFest co-chair.

“This is an opportunity for people to see performances which we really don’t get around here in a professional manner very often.”

Speaking from experience, Bates says memories of attending CentreFest, especially for the first time, could last a lifetime.

“When I was a kid, I didn’t even know what a busker was, so to have these folks who are highly skilled and trained in what they do is a real treat,” she adds. “When my daughter was little and we attended for the first time, neither of us had seen this stuff before, and it can make you an instant fan. It’s entertaining, joyful and light-hearted. Sharing those ‘awe’ moments with an audience is really connecting too.”

In addition to the street performers, there will be food trucks and vendors, plus face-painting, balloon-twisting and a caricature artist.

Circus World will give patrons the chance to try things like spinning plates, juggling and hula hoops.

Other performers and things to take in will include Aytahn Ross, Jelby the Juggler, All-Star Comedian Sam Malcolm, Fraser Hooper, Risky Business, Hula Hoop Circus, overly tall ballerina Lauren Brady, Ron Pearson Magic, and The Cate Great Show.

Admission to CentreFest is by donation, with proceeds going to organizers for next year’s festival. One hundred per cent of moneys given directly to performers remain with performers.

Parking on the weekend is free, and will also be available in the downtown P4 lot (49 Avenue and 49 Street).

More information is at centrefest.ca.