Festivals
The Calgary Stampede in Canada
Busking the crowds on Stephens Mall in Calgary.
Driving from Vancouver to Calgary, we passed through Glacier National Park
and witnessed frothing emerald-green waters, the majestic Selkirk Mountains capped in snow, and a grizzly bear
sliding down a scree.
Treeless hills and verdant flat plains greeted us as we cruised to the outskirts of Calgary, hosting one of the largest rodeos in the world. Our time spent with an easy-going family of four in Calgary was a fantastic experience. They took us horseback riding western style, treated us to an afternoon of rodeo delight, and hosted a backyard barbecue where we gazed at brightly-colored hot air balloons floating by in a race sponsored by the Stampede. Sunny weather at midnight threw us off our sleeping schedule, but we drove into town every day to work the outdoor mall, crammed with cowboy-hatter patrons and fans in search of food, fun, and entertainment.
Here is a sample fare of festivals we busked, some of which are still in existence:
3rd Avenue Fair, NYC
9th Avenue Fair, NYC.
San Gennaro Festival, NYC
Baltimore World Theater, Baltimore
Piedmont Arts Festival, Atlanta
Jazz & Heritage Festival, New Orleans
Mardi Gras, New Orleans
Westheimer Art Festival, Houston
Denver World Theater, Denver
Newport Beach Fair, Newport Beach CA
Artquake, Portland
Bumbershoot Festival, Seattle,
Taste of Seattle, Seattle
Folk Music Festival, Vancouver BC
Calgary Stampede, Calgary AB
Streetfest, Edmonton AB
Elephant Fayre, St. Germans Cornwall
Edinburgh Festival, Edinburgh Scotland
Festival of Fools, Amsterdam Netherlands
Avignon Festival, Avignon France
Oktoberfest, Munich Germany
Montreaux Jazz Festival, Montreaux Switzerland
Theater Spektakel, Zurich Switzerland