Churchill Square was rampant with fun and silliness yesterday as people of all ages gathered for what promoters have called the “greatest show on Earth,” as the 25th annual Edmonton International Street Performers Festival got into full swing over the weekend.
“Edmonton audiences are great, so generous,” said Sheldon Elter of the Be Arthurs, which is a three-member Ukulele cover band.
The Be Arthurs played songs from Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen to Hey Ya by OutKast in their third year in the event.
“We are all local boys, so it is nice to play at home and rock out,” Elter said.
The Flaming Idiots, an act that had a crowd gathered to watch them juggle pins and break out of straightjackets, originally came from Texas.
“It is good to see other people do what you do,” said the Flaming Idiots’ Jon O’Connor, a group that started in 1989 and frequented the Fringe Festival when they came to Canada.
“We came down for something different to do with our kids for the weekend, and enjoy the outside weather,” said Debra, who was sitting in the shade for a picnic with her husband, George, and two children, three-year-old Charlie, and 11-month-old Robyn.
“It is finally good weather,” said George. He added that he emphasizes “finally.”
They also had their caricatures drawn and Charlie was looking forward to getting his face painted after lunch from the variety of food that could be purchased at the event.
Children could also step into city hall’s wading pool while its fountains mist cooled off bystanders.
The festival continues until July 12.
