The crows will soon be flocking back to Chatham, but before they do, Crowfest rolls back into the community this week.
Set for Sept. 17-20, the fourth annual rendition of the celebration of the crow, includes family fun at every corner.
Andrew Thiel, one of the event organizers, said the entertainment is diverse, but believes it is the buskers who make Crowfest one of a kind.
“I think the really unique factor is the buskers. They aren’t associated with any other festival in Chatham-Kent. They come from all over the world,” he said.
That includes The Flying Fools, high-diving act out of Montreal. Their divers will leap from as high up as 25 metres into a pool that is only about three metres wide.
The buskers will be performing throughout the downtown area Friday evening and most of the day Saturday.
Everything kicks off on Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. with the Crow Down – Hoe Down at Links of Kent. Local entertainers Deep South West will perform during the Old Crows Tea.
Tickets are available through Pet and Wildlife Rescue.
Hypno-Nest gets into people’s heads that evening at the Garden.
Featuring hypnotist/illusionist Danny ZZZ, the family friendly event also will see flame eater Flow Berger of Austria take the stage and DJ Andre entertain.
A live game show, Flock & Feud, hits the Capitol Theatre stage Thursday evening.
Friday delivers the buskers, who begin performing at 5 p.m., as well as an ARTspace exhibition and MyCrowRave, a downtown dance party, cranks out the tunes at 8 p.m.
Saturday delivers a full day of diverse entertainment, starting with the buskers, a huge vendors’ market, and dancers; continuing with musical performances and more busking; a costume contest; and ending with Busk After Dusk, where the buskers will perform on the main stage at King and Fifth streets.
Thiel said he loves how Chatham-Kent has gone from generally despising to embracing the crows, which used to turn Chatham’s streets into a buffet on garbage days.
“We went from having the crow hotline to celebrating crows,” he said.
Volunteers for Crowfest are still needed. Anyone interested can learn more here.
