Halifax Busker Festival expands to the Dartmouth waterfront

After two years of pivots and changes, the Halifax Busker Festival is back. And in one regard, the 36^th incarnation is also the biggest we've ever seen.

In terms of pure real estate, an expansion by the festival into Dartmouth for the first time this year makes this a full, city-wide affair.

“This is an opportunity to enjoy the festival on either side of the harbour while exploring local restaurants, shops and sights,” says festival producer and president of Premiere Entertainment Group, Kim Hendrickson.

“This is our first time doing this, and we are so excited. There are definitely some unknowns because we haven't done it before, but we cannot wait.”

Hendrickson has been doing the Buskers for 30 years, but says there's a new feeling with this one.

“It's something I've done for many years, and yet this year feels like I'm learning things all over. So much has changed. I think of suppliers, flights and luggage. We used to take these things for granted, but right now we need to be mindful of them,” she says.

“We always assumed at other Buskers that flights would make it here, and now we don't. But so far, everything is going very well.”

While there were virtual shows and reduced-capacity offerings in previous years, Hendrickson is happy to get back to regular programming.

“The shows are so interactive. The performers talk, get feedback from the audience and feed off that joy in-person. Their livelihood comes from that audience too. We pay their flights and accommodations, but passing that hat makes them a living,” says Hendrickson.

“It's just not the same virtually. Just like the circus never translates on TV and the zoo needs to be in-person, so does the Buskers. You just get this amazing feeling when you're there.”

With Buskers events going on both sides of the bridge, Dartmouth will see midway rides with East Coast Amusements, as well as performances at Alderney Landing and Ferry Terminal Park.

In Halifax, there will be three stages as well as food and craft vendors located by Maritime Museum, the Wave and the Salt Yard Too. Glow Funland is new to the proceedings as well on that side.

“We lost some real estate in Halifax. The art gallery was supposed to break ground sometime in spring, so we aren't using the Salter Lot,” she says. “But Dartmouth has been growing exponentially for five years, and it made so much sense to do this on both sides. Retailers and restaurants in Dartmouth are so excited.”

They're bringing back a number of beloved acts and fan favourites, including FlameOz, Alakazam, Victor Rubilar, Lisa Lottie, Rhythm Works and more. There are People's Choice Award winners from 30 years of shows, and there's an All-Star Show in Halifax dedicated to frontline workers on Sunday, July 31.

“We have some of the best acts coming from over the years. We specifically went for some great crowd-pleasers, but we also have some great new tricks up our sleeve,” she says. “We have plenty of entertainment and music. It's a robust program for sure.”

There are usually nearly 250,000 visitors a year, and Hendrickson believes things will fall into a similar bracket again.

“We anticipate these numbers will remain the same, if not increase because of the expansion,” says Hendrickson. 

“The past two years have put into perspective what this festival means to the city. We’ve had time to look at where we have come from and where we need to go. People have grown up with the festival, so it seems natural for the festival to incorporate both sides of the harbour.”

Busker Fest runs July 27 to August 1. For more information or to check out the schedule, visit the website.