Victoria has what it takes to host a buskers festival of international caliber.

ThatB次元官网网址檚 the feedback from globe-trotting performers participating in the 10-day inaugural Victoria International Buskers Festival. On Sunday, the final night, they surprised festival organizer John Vickers by putting on an all-star show on the lawn of the Fairmont Empress, and donating proceeds to the festival society.

B次元官网网址淚t was really nice,B次元官网网址� said Vickers. With an estimated 2,000 people viewing, there wasnB次元官网网址檛 a patch of grass left to sit, he said. B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 great to see the buzz in the community.B次元官网网址�

Already, Vickers has received two applications to perform during the 2012 festival.

Next yearB次元官网网址檚 festival promises even more because it will be eligible for many grants not available to first-year festivals. For Vickers that means the long and poorly paid hours will come to an end.

B次元官网网址淭o go through what I went through over the last 12 months B次元官网网址� I wouldnB次元官网网址檛 do it again,B次元官网网址� he said. The investment, he said, was all about the second-year event.

While Vickers had the help of two-co-op students and 200 volunteers, he anticipates having some staff starting this December.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e learned a lot of lessons about the waterfront,B次元官网网址� he said.

For instance, the public washrooms closed at 9 p.m., leaving few portable washrooms to serve thousands until 10 p.m.

B次元官网网址淚 donB次元官网网址檛 understand why they wouldnB次元官网网址檛 keep the washrooms open for that last hour,B次元官网网址� said Vickers.

While the stage set up on Langley Street was deemed a success, heB次元官网网址檒l try again for support to close Government Street for some or all of the festival next year.