Performers at Faneuil Hall dazzle crowds of tourists and residents

For most people, performing yo-yo tricks is a hobby, not a full-time job.

But for performer John Higby, it's his only job &- and he said he couldn't be happier doing it.

Higby is one of many performers who say they relish the opportunity to entertain at Faneuil Hall. There, gymnasts, magicians, musicians and other diverting acts have a daily influx of tourists and Boston residents to amuse.

Failing to impress their crowd could mean not making enough money for rent, or food &- but entertainers who get this far are unlikely to have this problem. Performers have to go through a strenuous audition process to even be allowed to entertain in the marketplace.

Even if buskers pass through the auditions, they still have to compete for a location to perform. After all, it doesn't matter how good an act is if the performer doesn't get any traffic.

Which is why it's notable that Higby, an Alaska native, is at the very center of the marketplace &- right in front of Quincy Market.

"I know it's not a lot, but you can't do it," said Higby from atop a unicycle, yo-yoing all the while.

Thirty-five-year-old Higby moved to Boston in the summer of 2001 in order to perform in the city.

Higby said that he started yo-yoing when he was 10 years old after his grandfather began to teach him. In high school, he began doing "table magic."

"I love that you earn exactly what you put into it...the audience is what makes the show," Higby said.

Higby has gotten more than just money from yo-yoing. He met his wife, Rebecca, at a toy store &- she was working there, and he was performing.

Since then, Higby has incorporated Rebecca into his act, where she performs acrobatics.

Together, they started an entertainment business called "Yo-Yo People," which has allowed them to perform at corporate events and festivals all around the world, as well as on shows such as "The Late Show With David Letterman" and "America's Got Talent."

Higby even won awards for his yo-yoing abilities &- in 2008, he was awarded first place in the Artistic Performance Division in the World Yo-Yo Contest.

Throughout his show, Higby performs a number of tricks, including balancing a broom on his chin while yo-yoing, or trying to knock a quarter off of the ear of a volunteer with a yo-yo without hitting him or her.

The volunteer who got to participate in this particular trick on Saturday was Jim Melton, who lives in New Hampshire.

"The show was wonderful," Melton said.

He, his wife and their two children travel to Boston from time to time, always making sure to stop at Faneuil Hall.

"I look forward to this," Melton said. "You never know what the show is going to be."