The streets of the Co Down town will be ringing to the sound of music this Saturday as buskers from across Ireland and beyond compete for a share of a £3,000 prize pot.

Performers who are making music, singing or dancing; mime, magic - or something altogether different - are all welcome.

As Sandra Parker, organizer of the annual BuskFest talent jamboree, explained, this is one day when anything goes: "It doesn't matter what the act is, we want to see it, and so will the crowds who flock to BuskFest.

"Variety really is the name of the game and one of the great joys is BuskFest is that visitors just never know what sort of an act will be drawing crowds around the next corner," she continued.

"Entries increase every year and the standards can be absolutely amazing.

"It's not just entry levels which are on the up, for the public just love to see newcomers showcase their diverse talents and we are predicting record attendances this year," noting that there is still time to enter.

"The junior competition is for those aged between 10 and 16 years and, for the open competition, entrants must be aged 17 years or over.

"Judges will be looking for skill, technical ability, passion, entertainment value and audience interaction," Sandra explained.

BuskFest which is being supported for the third year in succession by Tesco, runs all day, but the fun and entertainment will go on long after the judges have made their decisions.

The six major prize winners will earn not only cash prizes, but also the opportunity to perform on stage in Solitude Park in the town centre, rounding off the day as warm up acts for a free gig which will run from 5.00pm to 9.00pm.

This year there will also be a special Award, sponsored by The Outlet Banbridge, for the busking act which best embodies 'The Spirit of Buskfest'.

Helping spirits to soar at the Solitude Park gig will be headliners 'Jerry Fish & The Mudbug Club' - big names on the summer festivals scene.

Also packing them in at Solitude will be rising star Joe Echo, (pictured above) fresh from Grammy acclaim and a burgeoning career in music for movies, playing for the first time at the traditional after-BuskFest gig.

Recent credits for Joe include shows with The Script, Paolo Nutini, James Morrison, Powderfinger and Eskimo Joe amongst others while his writing career has flourished, with notable successes including a Grammy nomination for the Madonna worldwide hit, Celebration, which he co-wrote with Madonna and Oakenfold.

He wrote, recorded and co-produced the songs for Philip Ridley's dark horror movie, Heartless, just released, and for Killing Bono, due for release later this summer.

To find out more about Banbridge BuskFest event on Saturday 19th June (1pm-9pm) check out Facebook, Twitter, MySpace or Bebo … or visit www.buskfest.com or call 028 4066 0626 to book your busking spot.

(BMcC/GK)