Street performers return to Grande Prairie. Photo Credit: Candace Boyne

By Shane Clausing

street performers

2021 Grande Prairie International Street Performers Festival viewed as success

Jul 26, 2021 | 12:06 PM

A bow has been put on the 2021 Grande Prairie International Street Performers Festival.

It was the first time in almost two years the festival was able to take place, the 2020 edition of the festival was cancelled because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Prior to the festival, organizers had initially planned for limited capacity because of COVID-19 concerns, however, because cases in the Grande Prairie area remained low, organizers decided to lift restrictions and allow anyone to attend.

Co-Chair of the festival Wayne Ayling says they experienced great support from the community throughout the weekend.

“The crowds are very large compared to what we thought was going to happen,” said Ayling. “Thank you to the support of all the families who supported live world-class street performers.”

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Photo Credit: Candace Boyne

Ayling says it looked like everyone had a great time, in what was one of Grande Prairie’s first major events since the provincial COVID-19 restrictions were lifted.

“This was a wonderful return to live outdoor street performing after being shut down for over a year. The performers were so excited to come up to Grande Prairie where the people are always so generous and that’s what happened this weekend.”

Photo Credit: Candace Boyne

According to Ayling, there was also a wide variety of performers who participated in this year’s festival.

“We had a performer who was here 21 years ago in our first festival, and he was back here to kick off the new live version, we had a performer who was here for the first time, and we’ve had people who’ve been here three or four times,” explained Ayling.

“We’re very excited that Grande Prairie is on the world circuit for street performing and we get such great support from the street performers and the public comes out.”

This year’s festival was in honour of former Co-Chair and City Councillor, Clyde Blackburn, who passed away following a battle with cancer earlier this year.