Buskerfest takes over downtown Ottawa for 31st year

Some of the world’s best street performers are in Ottawa for the annual Ottawa International Busker Fest. CTV’s Camille Wilson reports.

World-class performers are taking over the streets of Ottawa this weekend for the Ottawa International Buskerfest.

The annual festival takes place on Sparks Street until Sunday evening with more than 20 performers from all around the world participating.

Buskers are highly skilled street performers that put on public shows and include fire-breathers, contortionists, acrobats and comedians.

Hiroshi Usda, an acrobatic comedic busker from Japan, has been performing for 14 years.

“We travel all around the world trying to entertain people and then spread our love,” said Usda.

Performers are scheduled to appear on five stages and will show off their various street talents surrounded by big crowds.

“I really like it because this is a form of art that we get to see the people, to really connect with them. Usually in the theatre, you’re blinded by the lights but here, you hear the laughs, you see them, you really have an interactive show and I really like that,” said performer Julie Perron-Laflame.

Perron-Laflame has been performing for 10 years but says it still comes with some difficulties, with the heat expected to soar into the mid-30s this weekend.

“You have to deal with the heat, with the temperature, with the wind. For a juggler, it’s really hard. The sun is in the eye when it’s really, really hot. It’s hard also for the people to stand there and watch your show, so it’s like we’re living this hard thing together,” said Perron-Laflame.

After many years of training, perfecting and practicing, they are ready to take over a section of downtown Ottawa once again.

For the fans, it’s all about the thrill and seeing it up close and personal.

Carolyn Pichard and her family are here for the second day in a row to take in all the action and performances.

“When I was younger, I used to go around and do all the different festivities in Ottawa, now I’m bringing my family for a chance to enjoy some of the same things that I did when I was young,” said Picard.

This family-friendly event also hasface painting, balloon artists, henna, stilt-walkers, music and more.

Buskerfest is free to attend, but attendees are encouraged to make donations to the performers.

• Sign up now for daily CTV News Ottawa newsletters
• The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App