Saskatoon Fringe Festival gets underway with 50th anniversary

The Saskatoon Fringe Festival gets underway on Thursday, and this year the summer staple is celebrating it’s 50th anniversary.

The festival runs until Aug. 10 in W.E. Graham Park, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on weekdays and noon to 9 p.m. on weekends, including on Saskatchewan Day Monday.

The Fringe brings hundreds of performances, shows, food trucks, vendors and more to the city.

“It’s kind of incredible this scrappy little theatre company (25th Street Theatre) has managed to make it to 50 years old, so we really want to celebrate it this year,” said Anita Smith, executive director of the Saskatoon Fringe Festival.

The Broadway Theatre will play host to many different Saskatoon Fringe Festival Shows over the course of the next 10 days. (Shane Clausing/650 CKOM)

In order to help get as many people as possible involved in the Fringe, Smith said they’ve expanded the outdoor portion by one day. Street performances at the festival run from Aug. Saturday through Monday from noon until 10 p.m.

“We do have over 200 outdoor performances taking place, so there is certainly a plethora of things to do. We have 80 artisan vendors, food trucks, different community arts engagement activities, carnival games for the kids,” Smith explained.

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“It’s a real vibrant place. You can come back several times and you will see something different every day.”

The outdoor performances are free to attend, but Smith recommended attendees bring some money to tip street performers and attend the shows you might want to watch.

“Bring a little extra cash to throw some money in the hats of the folks that are performing outdoors,” Smith said. “They do not get compensated from us. They do this entirely based on tips, and this is how they travel around the world doing their work, so bring a little cash with you.”

Smith said she’s hopeful for a great turnout at the festival, and shared some tips for those who might be wanting to check out the Fringe for the first time.

“I think the important thing for people to remember is that Fringe is actually a theatre festival first. We will have 126 theatre performances – they’re ticketed, and it’s a great opportunity to go and see something,” Smith said.

“Each show is an hour long, so I always tell people ‘Love it or hate it when you see a show at the fringe you’re going to remember it.’”

Full details of the performances can be found online.

If you’re planning on driving to the festival this weekend, Smith recommended giving yourself some extra time.

“Parking is tricky in the neighbourhood. There is a bylaw that restricts parking within a two-block radius of the Fringe,” she said.

“If you’re driving, leave yourself a little bit of extra time to find a place to park. We do have a complementary bike valet service.”

Local actor met future wife during 1998 Fringe Festival

You often hear people say that love is in the air, but for Kent Allen, an actor with the 25th Street Theatre, love was on the stage.

In 1988 Allen was a part of the production ‘Talking Back’ by Don Kerr, and working behind the scenes was his future wife Kathy.

Allen said his wife had one rule when it came to working on productions.

“She said ‘Stay away from the actors,’” said Allen.

Kent and Kathy Allen’s wedding photo. The couple met at the Fringe Festival in 1988. (Kent Allen/Submitted)

“I needed some help with some lines, (and) I would always ask her to help me because she was lovely to look at.”

The two then tied the knot in 1991 and now have a daughter, Lauren, and a son, Dominic.

Allen explained that acting and working in the industry has become a family tradition.

“Our daughter Lauren is sort of in the business, so to speak. She’s in Toronto,” said Allen.

“She works in the film industry as well, as a script supervisor. She does stage management and on-stage work.”

Allen’s son Dominic is in Quebec where he works in the video game industry, Allen said he works on the storytelling aspect of the games.

“He’s sort of in the related industry, but it’s not quite as directly related,” said Allen.

Allen said back when he was a kid he was always interested in entertaining people.

“As I was growing up I was always entertaining my mom,” said Allen.

“I’d do little impressions for her, or repeat comedy bits I heard on the radio… She really liked that, and got a kick out of it.”

Allan said those childhood performances helped lead him into acting.

–with files from 650 CKOM’s Will Mandzuk