Buskers festival set to come to Windsor

Walkerville could soon be home to a brand new buskers festival in August.

A motion to close a section of Wyandotte Street, the neighbourhood's commercial core, was approved by the City of Windsor's social development, health and culture standing committee Wednesday.

The recommendation will now going to council for final approval.

The event is scheduled for August 12-14 and will be organized and produced by Mark Lefebvre and Mark Boscariol.

"Buskers is back," Lefebvre told CBC Radio's Windsor Morning.

Windsor had hosted a buskers festival for years in downtown Windsor and later at the Riverfront Festival Plaza, but it shut down about five years ago.

Lefebvre is a professional stilt-walker and spends his summers participating in other busker festivals around Ontario. He said he missed having an event like that in the city.

"It was leaving a hole in my heart as well that my hometown no longer had a busker festival," Lefebvre said. "Seeing how vibrant and unique these festivals are, with performers from all over the world, had a particular interest."

Lefebvre said Walkerville is a perfect setting for the event, especially with the Walkerville Brewery and the Olde Walkerville Theatre acting as anchors.

Since the group is not applying for any outside funding it is set to go no matter what, Lefebvre said.

"Our vision is to animate and enliven the entire neighbourhood," Lefebvre said.