Dates Announced for 13th Annual Scotiabank BuskerFest: August 23-26, 2012

-Named One of the Top 100 Festivals and Events in Ontario for 2012-
A Destination Event for Summer Travellers!
- Event proceeds to benefit Epilepsy Toronto -

TORONTO, May 28, 2012 /CNW/ - Scotiabank BuskerFest, Toronto's wildly successful international street performers festival, returns for its 13th wacky, outlandish year. Produced by Epilepsy Toronto, this year's event runs Thursday, August 23 to Sunday, August 26, 2012 throughout the historic St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood.

North America's largest busker festival, Scotiabank BuskerFest was named for the fifth time in a row as one of the Top 100 Festivals and Events in Ontario for 2012 by Festivals & Events Ontario, a not-for-profit organization representing the Ontario festivals and events industry. The Top 100 Festivals and Events in Ontario designation is presented each year to a select few out of more than 2,000 that occur annually within the province.

Spontaneous, colourful and bursting with the unexpected, Scotiabank BuskerFest features some of the most unique pogo-sticking, hula-hooping, fire-breathing, pillow juggling, body-contorting, whip-cracking, cyr wheel spinning, sword swallowing, flaming-rope jumping performances in the world! As well as the buskers, children can also enjoy Scotiabank BuskerPlay, an area featuring face painting, balloon-twisting, free workshops and more family fun.

Over 100 of the best street performers from Canada and around the world will once again descend upon Toronto's historic St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood to excite and amaze. The event helps raise money for Epilepsy Toronto, a non-profit organization dedicated to help people with epilepsy and their families live well by providing counseling, employment support, advocacy and education.

Some of the 40-plus acts coming to this sparkling fest include:

• Three-time winner of the festival's Metro People's Choice Award, Alakazam, the Human Knot from Australia who returns to the festival after a three year hiatus to comically contort his body and perform sky-high feats of danger; who brings high skill circus skills to the street including cyr wheel and chinese pole; and,
• Toronto's only 14-piece Balkan-klezmer-gypsy-party-punk super-band, The Lemon Bucket Orkestra, making its festival debut.

With more than one million spectators expected from North America and around the world, Scotiabank BuskerFest is proving to be a great weekend getaway and now is the time for travellers to plan to attend. For information on places to stay in the heart of Toronto visit http://www.torontobuskerfest.com.

"Once again, this year's festival promises an exciting and spectacular assortment of acts, and more importantly,  promises to continue raising much needed awareness and funding for a great cause, Epilepsy Toronto," said John Doig, Scotiabank Senior Vice-President, Toronto Region. "Scotiabank BuskerFest is the largest epilepsy awareness event in the world, and through the pay-what-you-can admission helps support the estimated 40,000 Torontonians living with epilepsy and their families, through counselling, information, and support."

Scotiabank BuskerFest
Toronto International Street Performers Festival
Thursday August 23 - Sunday August 26, 2012 throughout the St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood,
Front Street all the way from Jarvis to Yonge and adjacent side streets
Thursday noon-10pm, Friday noon-11pm, Saturday 11am-11pm. Sun 11am-8pm
Admission is by voluntary donation to Epilepsy Toronto
For information, visit www.torontobuskerfest.com -  http://www.facebook.com/BuskerFestToronto

Media Refer: Dianne Weinrib/Sarah Mackie, DW Communications 416-703-5479  [email protected]
Photos and interviews on request.