LEWISTON — Mark your calendars for the city’s upcoming Lewiston Live busking festivals on three consecutive Fridays, May 1, 8 and 15.

Having received positive reviews for last year’s trial busking event, the city blocked out three back-to-back Fridays to close down a section of Lisbon Street for live music, performance art, food and lots of fun.

The first festival May 1, will feature at least six acts, including returning Portland native musician Frank Gallagher, who performs in, and sometimes solo as, Plague Dad. 

The second festival May 8 will include returning local magician Steve “The Great Stephan” Cornish. He said the busking festivals are perfect for Lewiston downtown and he would love to see them go on.

“We want to make a big impact and create lasting moments in people’s lives,” he said. “That’s what it’s really about to me. … What stuck out from last year are the smiles on the faces of parents and children during the performances — the oohs and aahs of wonder during the busking.”

Returning for the second and third festivals May 8 and 15 is Lexi GoGo, a performance artist known for her hooping, lights and fire aesthetics. 

Kicking off the May 15 festival is Her Majesty’s Secret Circus. HMSC is one of several international acts, known for their comic espionage and circus skills.

Brent McCoy of HMSC is a Bates College alumni. Always excited to return to the city he once called home, McCoy said cannot wait to return for the second time as “Agent Honeymoon.”

“We’ve performed in almost 20 different countries for nearly 20 years, and we’ve seen events that start small quickly become highlights for a community,” McCoy said. “I see that Lewiston Live’s (busking festival) has the potential to become that kind of event.”

Some performers will be at all three festivals, including Party Palooga, which specializes in balloon twisting, tattoos and face painting. 

All three festivals are free and appropriate for all ages. They will run from 4-7 p.m. on Lisbon Street between Ash and Main streets.