Ottawa Busker Festival 2010

Flying high at last week's Busker Festival on Sparks Street. Photo courtesy of marcsworld.ca.
Fire breather. Photo by Vu Nguyen.

Ottawa's 19th annual Busker Festival (aka Buskerfest) takes place from July 29 - August 2, 2010 on the Sparks Street Mall in downtown Ottawa. There are over 40 performances daily, with entertainers from across Canada and around the world.

This year's festival (2010)

This is the 19th annual edition of the Sparks Street International Busker Festival, which takes place along Ottawa's Sparks Street pedestrian mall between Elgin Street and Kent Street.

On Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the buskers start performing around 11:00am, and the shows continue until 10:00pm. On Monday, the buskers start at 11:00am and wrap up at 5:30pm

Make sure you bring some loonies & toonies for the performers!

Special events include:

Friday, July 30: Fire show at 9:00pm, Metcalfe @ Sparks.
Monday, August 2: Grand finale at 5:30pm, Metcalfe @ Sparks.
Daily at 12:00pm: Circus Central, Bank @ Sparks
Saturday, Sunday & Monday, 12pm-5pm: Kids Corner, O'Connor @ Sparks.
For a schedule of performances, check out the Official Busker Festival Brochure (PDF)

Here's a list of this year's performers.

For a schedule of performances, check out the Official Busker Festival Brochure (PDF)
Bike Boy - World-renowned street entertainer
Jeff Hill - Magic that Rocks!
Liquer Flambé- a unique blend of circus stunts, virtuosic violin and fire.
Mama Lou - amazing feats of strength, comedy and a strong feel good message
Emma Kerger - National Gymnast and dancer
Silver Elvis - Unusual forms of body art
Checkerboard Guy - It's kind of like a live episode of the Simpsons
Karnival of the Bizarre - Non stop energy
The Yo Yo Guy - 2008 World Yo-Yo Champion and Guinness World Record holder
Samantha Testa - Vocal Phe'nom
Fireguy - He has a burning desire to Entertain
Juggle Bugs! - Unique "kid powerede" unicycle and juggling prowess
Thom Sellectomy - The Sword Swallowing Show
Trulee Odd - A high energy interactive show

Road Closures

Thursday & Friday, 6pm-12am: Metcalfe Street closed between Sparks & Wellington.
Saturday, Sunday & Monday, 10am-12am: Metcalfe Street and O'Connor Street closed between Sparks & Wellington.

About Sparks Street Mall

Sparks Street Mall is a pedestrian street (no cars allowed!) located one block south of Parliament Hill in downtown Ottawa. The street spans five full city blocks (map), and is lined by restaurants, shops, museums, and more. It's also home to CBC Ottawa's tv and radio studios.

Local buskers

Flying high at last week's Busker Festival on Sparks Street. Photo courtesy of marcsworld.ca.
Flying high at the 2006 Busker Festival on Sparks Street. Photo courtesy of marcsworld.ca.