Fire, exhibits entertain all ages at Machine Shop (22 photos)

There was a wide variety of things to fascinate all ages at the Science Carnival held at the Machine Shop Saturday.

By far the most visually fascinating was the performance of three members of Imaginez Ensemblez, a Chicago-based circus group.

The group specializes in stilt-walking, acrobatics, mime and fire performances.

The trio wowed an audience gathered outside the Machine Shop with a fire performance.

The Science Carnival was the finale of the second annual Sault Ste. Marie Science Festival, which began Tuesday.

It included several scientific research and development groups in Sault Ste. Marie and other communities, under the direction of Sudbury's Science North.

26 exhibitors were on hand at the Machine Shop Saturday, including Algoma University, Entomica, Clean North as well as out-of-towners such as Toronto's Research Matters.

"It's so rewarding to see people just enjoying themselves learning about science, and learning as families," said Lora Clausen, Science North staff scientist.

"Some of the comments I've heard are 'wow, this is cool' or 'how does that work,' 'this is really neat,'" Clausen said, adding Science North anticipates a third annual festival in the Sault next year.

Attendance at last year's Carnival at the Machine Shop attracted 2,000 people, and, judging by the numbers (600 by noon Saturday), attendance at this year's event was expected to equal that number.

Sault Ste. Marie's second annual Science Festival was held thanks to several community partners, including Sault College, Algoma University, the Invasive Species Centre, the Canadian Bushplane Heritage Centre, Natural Resources Canada-Canadian Forest Service, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the Sault Ste. Marie Innovation Centre and Entomica.