KITCHENER

'Next year will be bigger and better': Waterloo Busker Carnival cancelled for second year

Tegan Versolatto CTV News Kitchener Videographer

Published Monday, March 22, 2021 7:15AM EDT Last Updated Monday, March 22, 2021 8:19PM EDT

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KITCHENER -- For the second summer in a row, Waterloo Busker Carnival has been cancelled because of ongoing restrictions due to COVID-19.

The carnival usually runs for four days over the second-to-last weekend of August in Uptown Waterloo.

According to organizers, there were three reasons why the carnival was cancelled this year. The City of Waterloo informed the committee that no large public events can take place on any city-owned property in 2021.

Additionally, public health advised them that even if the region were to move into the green zone, crowds would be limited to 100 people in an enclosed space and they’d also have do temperature and symptom checks.

Lastly, there would be no international performers due to the strict travel restrictions currently in place.

Organizers say although they’re ‘deeply disappointed’ there are big plans in the works for the 2022 festival.

“Next year will be bigger and better than ever,” said Executive Committee Chair Randy Warren in a news release.

“Maybe a concert to kick things off, maybe some major fireworks to celebrate - we’re also looking to add an ‘Artists’ Alley’ for local artists to display and sell their work.”

Last year was the first time since 1989 that the Busker Carnival was not held in Waterloo.

OTHER EVENTS IMPACTED BY PANDEMIC

Officials with the City of Cambridge said regional council plans to discuss festivals at a meeting this week.

"The municipalities are currently working together to review events for this summer to determine next steps," said Erin Haase. "We expect an update in the coming weeks."

The Kultrun Music Festival, which usually happens in July, was postponed until the follow.

Organizer Isabelle Cisterna hopes the delay will "allow extra time to have a hybrid of in-person and online" with a smaller and more intimate event later this year, should public health restrictions permit.

"After so many months of isolation and cooped in, the last thing we want to do is stay in and watch TV," she said.

The Jazz Festival hopes to have some form of event this year, with an official decision expected in the coming days.

Kitchener Blues Fest has planned a revised event on Aug. 5 to 8. They're hoping for a scaled-back event, like a summer series played at local patios or virtual performances.

The Cambridge Scottish Festival still plans to go forward on July 16 and 17.

The Stratford Festival will move outdoors this year, allowing 100 audience members to come to performances under canopies.

Here's a look at other festivals' plans for the summer: