CentreFest audiences are brave.
With a chain-saw in hand, juggler Aaron Gregg, of Victoria, B.C., prepared to walk over a volunteer he chose from his audience on Saturday.
“Now there is no reason to be nervous. I’ve been practising this for quite a few days,” Gregg said with his genuine chain-saw that could trim small trees.
“I’m goofing around. I’m not going to juggle chain-saws over top of you. Let’s face it folks that’s a stupid thing to do. That’s why I brought along fire torches,” he said to the roar of spectators.
As part of his act, Gregg did juggle a running chain-saw and two balls. That was his limit in front of the CentreFest crowd.
“I only use one (chain-saw) in the show because juggling three is very dangerous. It terrifies me. With running blades, it’s not something I like to do,” Gregg said after his show.
But he is known world-wild for juggling the razor-sharp garden utensils.
Gregg set a Guinness World Record for the most chain-saw juggling catches — 88 — in Mexico City in July 2008.
“I’m a pretty good juggler, but I wanted to separate myself from other jugglers so I decided to get a Guinness World Record. Chain-saws seemed like a good one.”
He said the friendly crowds and volunteers in Red Deer make it easy to put on a good show.
CentreFest director Randy Butler said the festival has always been lucky to attract great crowds and warm, dry weather.
“I’m ecstatic. Everything has been pretty smooth,” Butler said on Saturday.
Since Red Deer has a smaller street festival than other cities, CentreFest likes to mix it up with international performers and local talent.
“We bring in more local talent, which the public really appreciates, to give our local performers a chance to show the public what they can do.”
An estimated 28,000 people took in the street performances and visit food vendors on the Saturday and Sunday.
Children’s face painting was also a hit with families, along with children’s games and activities at City Hall Park.
Aime Brown, of Red Deer, said the festival felt like a old-fashioned, community fair because of its size.
“It’s geared towards family and kids so there’s something for everyone here,” said Brown while her children Emma, 4, and Everett, 2, worked off some energy with the outdoor toys.
szielinski@www.reddeeradvocate.com