Scotiabank BuskerFest Named One of the Top 100 Festivals and Events in Ontario for 2011

TORONTO, April 5 /CNW/ - Scotiabank BuskerFest, Toronto's wildly successful international street performers festival, returns for its 12^th outlandish year. Produced by Epilepsy Toronto, this year's event will run from Thursday, August 25 to Sunday, August 28, 2011 throughout the historic St. Lawrence Market neighbourhood.

North America's largest busker festival, Scotiabank BuskerFest is to receive $70,000 from the Province of Ontario's "Celebrate Ontario" program and was once again named one of the Top 100 Festivals and Events in Ontario for 2011 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. A full list of the 2011 winners can be found on the association's website, www.festivalsandeventsontario.ca.

Spontaneous, colourful and bursting with the unexpected, this year's Scotiabank BuskerFest features some of the most unique pogo-sticking, hula-hooping, fire-breathing, artistic juggling, body-contorting, whip-cracking, plate-spinning, rollerskate-breakdancing, unicycle-lassoing 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.

"Once again, this year's festival promises more than an assortment of daredevils, magicians, circus acts, and fire-breathers - it 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 promises four days and nights of adrenaline-pumping, crowd-pleasing, awe-inspiring spectacle. Last year's event attracted over one million spectators, young and old alike - and raised awareness and funds for Epilepsy Toronto. This year's festival will be bigger and better than ever before.

12th Annual Scotiabank BuskerFest
Toronto International Street Performers Festival
Thursday August 25 - Sunday August 28, 2011
throughout the St. Lawrence Market Neighbourhood,
Front Street from Jarvis Street to Yonge Street, 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 http://www.torontobuskerfest.com
www.facebook.com/BuskerFestToronto

About Scotiabank
Scotiabank is committed to supporting the communities in which we live and work, both in Canada and abroad, through our global philanthropic program, Scotiabank Bright Future.  Recognized as a leader internationally and among Canadian corporations for our charitable donations and philanthropic activities, Scotiabank has provided on average approximately $44 million annually to community causes around the world over each of the last five years. Visit us at www.scotiabank.com.