Buskers!

Today, we headed downtown to check out the Buskers Festival.  This was our first chance to see them and we were super excited.  Well, I was.  The kids didn't know what a busker was, but they were happy to go along for a trip and a picnic.  Last year, the Buskers Festival was the same weekend we moved to Kingston, so we missed it.  Something about unpacking boxes in a crazy heat-wave didn't lend itself to taking time to watch some juggling.  But no excuses this year.

We started in Confederation Park where there were supposed to be kids activities going on.  At first it was only Bandaid the Clown and some colouring, so we were getting a little disappointed with the Buskers...but the day definitely picked up.

The kids waited in line to get their balloon object from Bandaid.  Logan got a black sword.

Lucy got an orange bird.

And Max got a black butterfly.  He didn't pause for a picture.

Logan's sword popped almost immediately...but Bandaid was nice enough to make him a new one.

Then the kids got to pretend to milk a cow and do some colouring.

They were most excited to share their cheese buns with the ducks.

We heard there were some performers up on Clergy street at the St. Andrews church, so we made the 8 block trek up there.  Seriously, it is crazy hot out today.

We made it just in time to see the last act, which was a Puppet Tamer and his puppet Crackers.  He was hilarious and the kids really enjoyed eating apples and watching him.  He made jokes that were perfect for 5-year-old boy humour.

Once that was done, we headed back down Princess Street because the street performers were coming out.  We wanted to head back to Confederation Park where more kids stuff was supposed to happen, but we got distracted by The Real McCoy show.  He described himself as Cirque de Soleil meats The Home Depot.  He was hilarious.

But the best part was when he asked for a cute, smart volunteer between the ages of 5 and 6.  And Max was chosen!!  I may have shouted a little loud to get the guy's attention...but it worked!  So Max got to be assistant for the show.  I have some awesome videos of Max doing some cool moves and helping pass Brent's juggling paraphernalia to him while he balanced on a ball (Brent...not Max).

In the end, Brent gave Max $9 for his help.  He told him if he could catch a twoonie, he could keep it.  he didn't catch it, but he let him keep it again...and then he tried again with a second twoonie...still didn't catch it.  So the guy tried with a $5.  Max got that one and got to keep them all.  He told Max that he was now a Street Performer.  The audience really hooted and hollered for Max and he really enjoyed it.

We moved down the street a bit and watched a plate spinner for a few minutes (who wasn't funny and a lot more lame, so we only stayed for 2 minutes).

Then we went back to the kids area.  Throughout the day, we were pretty disappointed in what they claimed as a kids area and kids activities, but the rest of it didn't disappoint.

We saw our friend Sister Cudd who had set up for face painting and Logan helped himself to her stool and told her he wanted a dinosaur.  She's his nursery leader.  She was good enough to indulge him.  Funny kid.

The kids went and made their own Jester Hats and then we headed home so Logan could have a nap and so we could get out of the sun for a bit.

Logan reassured me that he wasn't tired and, 'see, I'm happy!" he said, with a big grin.  Nevertheless...he is now napping.

There are more performances tonight, but I think we got ourselves a good taste of what the Buskers had to offer.  The Real McCoy was definitely the highlight.