Acrobats, escape artist kick off BuskerFest

Break-dancers, massive dinosaur puppets and, of course, Silver Elvis were on hand for the launch of BuskerFest in its new home in the Downtown Yonge area.

The 14th annual street performer festival — the largest of its kind in North America — kicked off in Yonge-Dundas Square over the lunch hour Thursday with some of its best acts and a recreation of one of Harry Houdini’s famous escapes.

Guinness World Record-holder Rob Roy Collins escaped from a straitjacket while hanging by his ankles, 100 feet in the air, on the northwest corner of Yonge and Dundas streets.

After the opening ceremonies, Yonge-Dundas Square, Trinity Square Park (behind the Eaton Centre) and Gould Street at Victoria will host preview acts until 6 p.m., when the festival officially starts.

Here are some road closures to note:

  • Yonge Street from Queen to Gerrard from Thursday at 6:15 p.m. to Sunday at 11:59 p.m.
  • Yonge Street from Gerrard to College from Saturday at 9 a.m. to Sunday at 11:59 p.m.
  • Local streets including Victoria, Gould, Edward and Elm from Thursday to Sunday

BuskerFest runs through Sunday. Any donations will go to Epilepsy Toronto.

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