Portland added two festivals to its summer season, including a traveling circus event and music on the waterfront, at Monday’s council meeting.
Circus Smirkus, a Vermont-based touring circus troupe, will come to Payson Park Aug. 7 and 8, with set up and break down occurring on Aug. 6 and Aug. 9. The festival will be presented by Portland Ovations, and will feature young performers from around New England and Canada.
Andy Downs, the city’s director of public assembly, expects each event of the circus festival will probably bring around 750 people.
Councilors also unanimously supported the Resurgam Music Festival, presented by the Maine Academy of Modern Music. The one-day event will feature live performances on three stages around the eastern waterfront, including two outside and one inside Ocean Gateway. Organizers expect between 2,000 and 2,500 attendees. They also will have three contained beer gardens, food trucks and a makers market for people to sell handmade crafts. Resurgam will take place on June 11, starting at noon and ending by 7 p.m.
Resurgam will not be assessed a fee, according to their application with the city, while Portland Ovations will pay a fee for Circus Smirkus, which has not been assessed yet.
