Organizers of Orillia’s second-annual comedy festival are inviting residents to turn those winter-weary frowns upside down with a generous dose of humour this weekend.

Running Feb. 29 and March 1, the two-day event promises a wealth of rib-tickling talent catering to audiences young and old.

“We are so excited to offer more for the whole family this year,” said event chair Donna Hewitt.

Audiences attending Friday evening’s Comedy on the Town will have an opportunity to vote for the best of four standup comics performing at several local establishments.

Jessica Williams, Justin Renwick, Todd Van Allen, and Andrew Evans bring their acts to Brewery Bay Food Co., McCabe’s, La Mezzaluna, and Tux II, with shows getting underway at 8 p.m., 9 p.m., 10 p.m., and 11 p.m.

The winning comedian will open for festival headliner and perennial crowd pleaser the Arrogant Worms, who take to the stage at the opera house the following evening.

“My family can’t wait to see the Worms perform on the opera house stage,” added Hewitt. “We’ve got our tickets.”

Orillia’s own Murray “Murph” Rodger and Kevin “Kevin” Knight – who debuted their Medicine Show at the opera house last March – this year perform a dinner show at the Ossawippi Express, while Webers Downtowner features Sandra Battaglini.

Reservations are required for both locations. Rodger thrills at the memory of last year’s inaugural performance at the historic downtown theatre.  

“It was a fantastic venue, just a great opportunity,” he said. “We have had a lot of response since then.”

The duo combines physical slapstick with original music, outrageous costumes and hilarious accents, while inviting audience participation.