(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By Josh Hall | @Vancan19

12-6 p.m. saturday and sunday

21st annual Centrefest returns to downtown Red Deer this weekend

Jul 25, 2024 | 3:53 PM

Centrefest returns to Red Deer’s downtown this weekend, July 27 & 28 for its 21st edition.

The long-running free event brings together world class street performers for two afternoons of outstanding family fun.

Co-chair Chelsea Bates says attendees can come down for the entertainment from 12-6 both days. The event is mostly rain or shine, with exceptions for severe weather.

“We’re pretty excited about the international artists coming in. There’s one from Ghana, one from Australia, a duo from Japan, and of courses artists from the U.S. and Canada,” says Bates.

“We’re really sinking into that international element, plus we’ve got caricature artists, henna, balloon twisting, and of course food trucks and market vendors.”

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Bates says the fairly new relationship with the Edmonton Street Performers Festival means a bonus experience for performers, and a benefit for Centrefest.

“We partner with them because they have theirs two weeks before ours. So that brings travel costs down in terms of bringing in the performers, she explains. “They go perform in Edmonton, then head to Grande Prairie for their event, and then come to Red Deer.”

Attendees are encouraged to bring donations/tips for performers.

Centrefest is a non-profit event organized by a board of volunteers, and will always welcome more helpers with open arms, Bates adds.

Centrefest is funded through grants from the Government of Alberta, City of Red Deer, Alberta Foundation for the Arts, and national federally funded charity Business/Arts.

The full schedule for Centrefest 2024 is at centrefest.ca.

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READ MORE: Road closures planned for Centrefest Street Performer Festival

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