International Buskers Festival returns to Kamloops for action-filled weekend

KAMLOOPS — The International Buskers Fest has rolled into town for the weekend.

Events kick-off Thursday (July 21) at 5:00 p.m. and runs until Sunday (July 24) at 6:00 p.m. at Riverside Park with street acts featuring a variety of shows.

The multiple-stage festival first came to Kamloops in 2018 and is back for the first time since the start of the pandemic.

“It’s amazing to be back after a long break due to COVID. It was very difficult to be a performer who gathers crowds of people close together and now that we’re back, it feels normal and I’m really excited,” says Strongman Mighty Mike.

The free outdoor event has a multitude of acts. The majority of them are in the festival for the first time.

“We’ve got a variety of acts. We’ve got strong men, magicians, we’ve got heavy metal magicians, we’ve got circus acts, and Paz who does a major circus show. So there’s a big variety of what we’ve got coming down this weekend,” says event Coordinator Audrey Trim.

Entertainers have travelled from around the world to attend the event and organizers are hoping to see a return of big crowds.

“The first two years were really successful. I’d say we’ve had over 10,000 people come to the park for those weekends. So we’re anticipating that again. It’s going to be a warm one but I think people will come out,” Trim adds.

Mighty Mike has never been to the festival in B.C. but is sure he’ll impress the crowds.

“I’m going to be bending a metal bar, ripping a deck of cards in half and juggling bowling balls,” says Mighty Mike.

More information on the festival, including the weekend schedule, can be found at Kamloops Buskers Festival.