The Downtown Winnipeg BIZ will jump start a summer of activities with the annual Portage Avenue Alive Busk Off today.
From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., artisans and musicians will compete for cash prizes along the avenue, with the winners selected by public vote at area BIZ kiosks.
“Our annual Busk Off is part of Portage Avenue Alive, an initiative from the Downtown BIZ that ties together programming from busking to street festivals and sidewalk sale to hockey game-day activities, all on Portage Avenue between Spence to Main Street,” said Stefano Grande, executive director of the Downtown BIZ. “With thousands of people coming downtown, we’re putting our best foot forward, making our downtown fun, vibrant and a hip place to enjoy.”
The first place prize in the People’s Choice Busker Award is $500 and will be announced at 3 p.m. Second place takes $250, while third wins $100. If it should rain, the competition will be held Thursday, June 21.