Mayor David Miller to officially launch the 11th Annual Scotiabank BuskerFest

Aerlialists perform on giant helium balloon; Cirque Eloize present a sneak peak of their October show; Scotiabank BuskerFest officially begins!

TORONTO, Aug. 25 /CNW/ -

WHAT:   The 11th Annual Scotiabank BuskerFest kicks-off on Thursday,
            August 26th at noon, featuring some of the Festival's featured
            performers. Scotiabank BuskerFest is the North America's largest
            festival of its kind, bringing more than 100 of the world's best
            street performers to Toronto's St. Lawrence Market area.

    WHO:    Mayor David Miller;
            John Doig, Scotiabank Senior Vice-President Toronto Region;
            Jim Armstrong, Toronto Blues Musician and Epilepsy spokesperson;
            Mat Ricardo from the U.K, setting the table once for his
             tablecloth removal stunt;
            Suspended Animation Circus, Toronto's aerialists performing on a
             25' helium balloon;
            Cirque Éloize from Montreal
            Saurus, giant dinosaur-like creatures from the Netherlands, on
             stilts;
            Kim Churchill, Australian guitarist
            And more!

    WHEN:   Thursday, August 26, 2010
            12 NOON - 1PM

    WHERE:  Front Street at Market Street, in the St. Lawrence Market
            neighbourhood

    WHY:    Scotiabank BuskerFest, in support of Epilepsy Toronto, runs
            August 26-29 throughout Toronto's St. Lawrence Market
            neighbourhood and features a dazzling display of awesome street
            performers from all Canada, the USA, Hungary, New Zealand,
            Australia, Japan, Argentina, the Netherlands, and England. The
            last of the major summer festivals in Toronto, this year's
            Scotiabank BuskerFest is expected to match or surpass the
            one million estimated spectators it attracted last year.

            Audiences experience high-flying acrobats, awesome jugglers,
            rocking musicians and out-there magicians, as well as a bevy of
            gastronomic delights, an avenue of artisans, roving stilt
            walkers, human statues, chalk artists and more.

            Scotiabank BuskerFest raises much needed funds and awareness for
            Epilepsy Toronto through the pay-what-you-can admission. An
            estimated 40,000 Torontonians living with epilepsy, and their
            families benefit from the services of Epilepsy Toronto through
            services such as counseling, information and support. Scotiabank
            BuskerFest is the largest Epilepsy awareness raising event and
            since its inception has helped raise close to $1 million for
            Epilepsy Toronto.


                      11th Annual Scotiabank BuskerFest

               Toronto International Street Performers Festival
                Thursday, August 26 - Sunday, August 29, 2010
              throughout the St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood:
               Front Street from Jarvis Street to Yonge Street,
                        and all adjacent side streets
              Thursday, noon - 10 p.m., Friday, noon - 11 p.m.,
             Saturday, 11 a.m. - 11 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. - 8 p.m.
           Admission is by voluntary donation to Epilepsy Toronto.
       www.torontobuskerfest.com   www.facebook.com/BuskerFestToronto.

For further information: Livy Feldgajer, Sponsorship PR, Scotiabank Public Affairs, livy_feldgajer@scotiacapital.com