Cirque du Soleil in Charlottetown

If, like me, you’re averse to the notion of fencing public parks for expensive touristic events, you still have a chance to see Cirque du Soleil this week in Charlottetown, as part of their show – the foreplay, if you will – happens outside the gated fortress: every night’s performance begins with a parade down Great George Street from Province House to the water.

Milling around the house tonight around 8:30 p.m. I sensed that something was going on up at Province House – it’s only half a block away – and so I grabbed Oliver and we headed over. Over the next hour it became obvious that a dress rehearsal was in the works: the police motorcycle showed up, the Minister of Tourism showed up, and then lots of tourismocrats holding walkie-talkies landed. And at 9:30 things suddenly sprang to life. It’s an awfully impressive entertainment: juggling, fire-breathing, stilt-walking. They even light Great George Street on fire.

If tonight’s dress rehearsal was any guide – lots of people showed up, out of nowhere – there are going to be crowds. My advice: show up early, say around 8:30, and set yourself up close to the street around Great George and Dorchester: that way you’ll get the best view of the fire-intensive activities, and you’ll be well-positioned to stand up and follow things down for the finish.