People come to Puppets Up! to see the puppet shows – that’s for sure. But they also come to take in the entertainment on Almonte’s Mill Street, a hilly main street that rolls through the downtown district. You can somehow just imagine the cobblestones under the pavement.

But in addition to the puppet shows in theatres around town, there is free street entertainment all day, every day, during the festival. And we are talking some superior stuff.

Our long-time friends, clowns Zip-E and Drouille, for example will be back and up to their usual antics, often involving a unicycle. Other clowns, like our local favourite Silly U, will be tickling funny bones all weekend long.

The famed Balcony Puppeteers will be in their usual spot in front of the Bank of Montreal (our big sponsor) with regulars like Creepy Baby, Dill and Boomer, the police dog. They are sort of like those grumpy guys in the balcony on The Muppet Show, but funnier in my opinion. Many other puppeteers will be performing along Mill Street too.

To add to our fabulous Puppets Up! streetscape, lots of local musicians will keep us tapping our toes. We’ve got bagpipes, penny whistles, fiddles, keyboards – you name it and you’ll see it on Mill Street.

The highlight, of course, is the daily parade featuring all of the puppeteers from the main shows, all of the street entertainers, lots of clowns and our VIP guests. It is a gas!

Workshops and a craft tent are also available for kids who want to make their own puppets and get in the act! Nearby, the Puppets Up! bazaar offers lots of puppets and puppet paraphernalia for sale too.

Oh, and if all this fun makes you hungry, Almonte’s restaurants and food vendors are definitely ready for you!