It's kind of a running joke in Portland that it will rain on the day of the Old Port Festival. It's always on the first Sunday in June so you'd think it would be decent. Alas, yet again this year it was wet and brisk, inspiring the nickname of Cold Port Festival. Really though, it doesn't matter what the weather is because people still turn out in droves to listen to music, eat fried dough and gawk at each other.

One of the highlights for me this year was the impromptu juggling show in Tommy's Park. A couple of young guys just started doing a performance in the park, juggling clubs, balls and rings. Their skills were no great shakes but their the main guy was so obviously enjoying himself and knew how to work a crowd.

Halfway through his show, an audience member quietly asks if he can join in. Main guy says, "Sure, what's your name?"

"Randy."

"Randy Judkins?!?" (veteran clown in Maine)

"Yeah."

"Oh, you're good."

They start juggling and pass clubs back and forth. Pass. Drop. Pass. Drop. Even though they have never worked together, they figure it out. Then it is pass,pass, pass. Round of applause for Randy, bow and exit.

Next Mr. Main Guy rides his unicycle to retrieve his juggling torches from a van parked several streets away. It's always amazing how fire draws people in. The torches come out and the crowd doubles instantly. The downside: event organizers snuff out his unsanctioned pyrotechnics.

No worry, as I will get my fill of flaming jugglers when the Bindlestiff Family Circus returns to town for a burlesque/vaudeville show at Space Gallery in late June.

Right next to the park, the spontaneous creativity continued with several breakdancers, a boombox and some cardboard. You weren't going to catch these guys at the Dance Dance Revolution contest down the street.

While there were plenty of offerings at the official music and performance stages, I was delighted to stumble upon these organic moments that inserted themselves into the day's program.

Jessica Tomlinson is the director of public relations at Maine College of Art. She lives in the West End of Portland with her husband, artist Henry Wolyniec and their 4-year-old son, Otto. She thinks Portland is the bee's knees.

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