Crowfest is celebrating its fifth anniversary this year with what organizers call some of the most exciting entertainment in the festival’s history, running Sept. 16 to 19.
The volunteer committee announced that this year’s signature act will not be a single event, but a series of performances on the World Record Stage, sponsored by Entegrus. Buskers will attempt to set or break more than 15 world records, ranging from the most rolls of a football behind the neck while juggling in a minute to the highest fireball blown from a standing position.
Over its five-year history, Crowfest has been recognized by Festivals & Events Ontario as a Top New Ontario Festival and a Top 100 Festival in Ontario.
The festival opens Wednesday, Sept. 16, with a performance by The Great Canadian Dueling Pianos, billed as Canada’s top-rated dueling piano act. The duo built a following after appearing on Canada’s Got Talent and is known for blending song requests, mash-ups and audience participation into a live show. The Garden on King has created a special event menu and cocktail list for the evening. Tickets, which do not include dinner, are $10 and available at The Garden on King, Sons of Kent or at the door.
On Thursday, Sept. 17, Crowfest will attempt to reclaim the world record for the largest Caesar cocktail, mixing 1,260 litres of the drink. The record was set by Pain Court, Ont., in 2018 before being broken by Lumsden, Sask., less than a year later. Because the record attempt requires the drink to be consumed, organizers are calling on the community to help. Brian Machado will lead the world record team along with 15 volunteers, with the attempt adjudicated by Chatham’s Luke Davidson. Canadian rock band 40 Hours Over will provide musical entertainment for the evening, dubbed Flight of the Caesar. Doors open at 6 p.m., and tickets are $10, available at The Garden on King, Sons of Kent or at the door.
Friday, Sept. 18, festivities begin at 3 p.m. with international buskers performing on King Street, which will also feature more than 80 artisan vendors and food trucks. In the evening, the Crow Glow, a glow-in-the-dark dance party for all ages, will take over King Street from 8 to 10 p.m. Festival-goers are encouraged to wear neon, glow-in-the-dark or light-up gear. The free event will be hosted by CKSY’s Allanah Wills and will feature music from DJ André Alridge, who has opened for acts including Nelly, Pitbull and the Toronto Raptors.
On Saturday, Sept. 19, King Street reopens at 10 a.m. with more busker performances, world record attempts and vendors. The main stage on 5th Street will host a costume contest from 1 to 4 p.m., followed by additional performances throughout the day, including sets by HUNTR/X, Theatre Kent and other musical acts. The festival will also feature interactive art installations, including a crow sculpture designed to symbolically collect visitors’ worries before flying away with them at the end of the day, along with a crow’s nest-themed cooling tent and an overhead installation inspired by the movement of crows.
The festival concludes Saturday night with the adults-only Busk After Dusk on the main stage, with doors opening at 8 p.m. Tickets are available at The Garden on King, Sons of Kent or at the door.
The full event schedule and list of sponsors is available at crowfestck.com.
