Ballarat is set to be filled with the quirky sounds of more than 100 performers on Saturday as the Australian National Busking Championships descend on the city.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The event will see performers dotted across 28 locations battling for the ears, votes and loose change of passers-by. Ballarat businesses were able to nominate to have a buskers hub set up out the front of their space for the day.
Judges will roam the streets to select the most impressive live acts to take part in a final battle, which will be held in the Minerva space at the Ballaarat Mechanics Institute.
Festival director Garry McKenzie said the full day of entertainment would feature performers from eight to 80-years-old.
“We’ve been really excited by the response we’ve had and we’ve got buskers coming from as far as Queensland and New South Wales to perform,” Mr McKenzie said. “As well as musicians we’ve got illusionists, magicians, groups and some people haven’t even disclosed what they will be doing yet.”
The contestants selected for the finals will compete for $10,000 in prize money across eight categories.
A people’s choice winner will also be chosen by tokens which listeners will be able to place in a performer’s jar or guitar case.
The three acts with the most tokens at the end of their four 30-minute sets will take home the cash prizes.
All extra money raised from the day will be put back into the Rotary Club of Wendouree Breakfast, which is coordinating the event.
“It’s all about promoting Ballarat, promoting the performers and promoting the businesses and getting the public out and about,” Mr McKenzie said.
