Top circus acts will perform feats of ‘strength, skill and danger’ in Mississauga

Some of the world’s best circus performers and other top entertainers are on their way to Mississauga for Port Credit Buskerfest, taking place Aug. 18 to 20.

Organizers of the annual international street performer festival, which has been held in the city’s waterfront community since 2007, say the 2023 lineup features talented performers coming from the Netherlands, Australia, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Mexico, Germany and the U.S.

“This year’s festival promises to be the best yet, with back-to-back international circus performances all weekend long plus strolling characters, musicians, food vendors, artisans and unexpected surprises around every corner,” organizers said in a news release this week.

The entertainers will “show off their side-splitting jokes, death-defying tricks, courage and the ability to squeeze through very small spaces at a moment’s notice,” they added. “Watch on the edge of your seat as they show off their obscure and completely amazing talents including real sword swallowing, high-in-the-sky hand-balancing, glow in the dark hula-hooping, masterful Cyr wheeling, world record juggling, high-flying pogoing, bang-on beatboxing, wild whip-cracking, ferocious fire eating, upside down escaping and much more.”

Buskerfest organizers say the event began in Port Credit in 2007 with one performance area and just a few local performers.

Today, they note, the festival has grown into a “highly respected and anticipated annual event drawing thousands of eager spectators and the best street performers in the world.

“Some of the best circus acts in the world perform incredible feats of strength, skill and danger, all for a drop of a tip in their hats.”

Port Credit Buskerfest runs Friday, Aug. 18 from 6:30 to 11:30 p.m., Aug. 19 from 1 to 11:30 p.m. and Aug. 20 from 1 to 7 p.m., with performers doing their thing on the streets and along the banks of the Credit River at Port Credit Memorial Park.

For more information, visit the festival’s website.