Kamloops International Buskers Festival set to go July 24-26

Kamloops is in for three days of top-notch free entertainment, July 24-26, in Riverside Park.

Kamloops International Buskers Festival set to go July 24-26 Buskers festival returns Kamloops is in for three days of top-notch free entertainment, July 24-26, in Riverside Park. The Kamloops International Buskers Festival will return for its seventh year, showcasing the talents of top street performers from around the world. “This is a one-of-a-kind festival in Kamloops,” says event co-ordinator Lucas Sweet, noting there are only a handful of similar festivals across the country.

Featuring three stages in the park, the festival is an all-ages event featuring acts such as Mexico’s Panch Libre, which will bring its award-winning show full of energy and fun. The only fan favourite act returning, it has been popular at festivals and street shows around the world. It will showcase strength and comedy.

Other acts include Allez-OOPS! featuring Rob Lok, which describes itself as “a bombastic bonanza of brilliant balancing and bona fide bravado,” The Lessa Hoops Show, a fun-filled high-energy hula hoop and contortion show with knee-slapping jokes and audience participation, and Johnathan Goh, whose Planks and Ladders show is a dynamic circus performance that combines balancing, object manipulation and physical comedy. Then there will be Marble, featuring Kay and Koni, who juggle, do acrobatics and what they describe as "interactive ninja-style comedy.”

Majic Mark, the One-Eyed Wonder, has performed in 44 countries and will bring his family-friendly show that blends sleight of hand, humour and emotionally resonant storytelling to appreciative crowds. Mexico’s Panch Libre’s award-winning show brings energy and fun to festivals and street shows around the world. It will showcase strength and comedy.

In addition, there will also be roving performers such asColin Pyett, who juggles chainsaws and rides a seven-foot-tall unicycle, as well as Raiden Taiko, a Japanese drum group. Musical acts at the festival will include Tiara Ilic; Diane, Jim and Family; Kamloops Trainrex and The Out Seer. New this year will be Buskers After Hours, in the evening on July 24, an event aimed at a more mature audience that will feature three performers, a DJ, a mechanical bull to ride, and a market with 30 vendors.

It will take place after Music In The Park, at the skate loop in Riverside Park. It will also be open and free to the public. In true busking fashion, Sweet said the performers at the festival are not paid by organizers.

Instead, they will pass the hat after their performances, as they live on tips. The festival has grown over the years and organizers say every year they see more and more people attend. This really is a unique festival,” says Sweet.

“Family-friendly and really fun.” For more information, go to the festival’s website at kamloopsbuskers.com. This article is written by or on behalf of the sponsoring client and does not necessarily reflect the views of Castanet.

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