That's a Wrap! 2019 Circus City Festival Parade | Peru Indiana Photographer | Rebecca Danielle Portraits
A bittersweet moment for us and I know it feels the same for some of the performers, but Saturday July 20th we said goodbye to Circus City Festival 2019. While the Parade is usually the send off event, the performers always do 2 more shows soon after. The day was extremely hot and humid, and we all survived!
THAT’S A WRAP!
Every year we attend our Peru Circus City Festival, They never disappoint! The one thing we didn’t get to do this year was head down to the Circus City hall of fame to look at all the beautifully preserved wagons and take a walk through circus history! It is only open through circus week. So if you haven’t yet seen this place it is amazing!
Helicopters open the parade welcoming in our law enforcement, carrying our national flag.
A bittersweet moment for us and I know it feels the same for some of the performers, but Saturday July 20th we said goodbye to Circus City Festival 2019. While the Parade is usually the send off event, the performers always do 2 more shows soon after. The day was extremely hot and humid, and we all survived! Crazy thing is, last year we had random moments of pouring down rain and not many people had their tents out. This year we get a heat advisory, and main street was lined with 10x10 tents.
Peru High School Marching Band
Maconaquah High School Marching band
North Miami High School Band
Another thing I noticed was all three Miami County High school bands participated! It was so great to see the schools that are homes of these performers representing. The parade did seem MUCH longer then it was last year so keeping my youngest kiddo comfortable and entertained was a bit of a challenge at times. My favorite part was when all the clowns came through and greeted all the kids around me, some were squirting water guns to shake things up.
The Jugglers Came by and did some tricks as well, jugging around a group of kids. The parents watching had their phones out and ready to watch their kids be a center act! Like at Disneyland Mickey usually closes all the parades, we get Elephants! Who doesn’t love elephants!?
This year I was privileged to really get to know these amazing performers, and their families. I know these Parents, Volunteers and Performers start this crazy journey of practicing and preparing for one of the greatest shows I have ever seen. You all deserve about a month’s worth of sleep and parents….a lifetime supply of coffee. I know I have said this a lot, but thank you for being so welcoming and kind to me this week. I look forward to photographing next year!
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Peru Indiana | Event Photographer | Circus City Festival 2019
Some carry on their rich family tradition as second and third generation performers. While they call themselves an “Amateur” Circus, this is anything but. Peru Indiana is a hidden gem that should be on any Hoosiers list to visit.
Where do I begin?
Two years ago while my husband was house hunting in the state of Indiana for job relocation, he was told Peru Indiana was the circus capital of the world. I almost didn’t believe him, especially when he told me that the performer’s ages were from 5 to 21! I had to look it up! Low and behold, there it was, PERU INDIANA, CIRCUS CITY FESTIVAL!
Two years ago this west coast family packed ourselves up and headed to this small town of 11,000 people. Every year so far, we have always attended the Circus. My kids beg me to be performers, but we are deep into baseball with my son and circus tryouts and practices fall right on baseball season. Instead we make it a family trip. Watching the show and riding all the rides!
Some carry on their rich family tradition as second and third generation performers. While they call themselves an “Amateur” Circus, this is anything but. Peru Indiana is a hidden gem that should be on any Hoosiers list to visit.
This year they Celebrated 60 years of Circus tradition pulling out all the stops! From high wire and trapeze, to juggling and even the cutest mini clowns! This year they added the new “Dream catcher act”.
I want to send out a huge thank you to the Circus City Family for all the love you have given me this week! It has been a huge blessing to have gotten to know some of you this year! I was even more proud to see that one of my first Peru Seniors I photographed was crowned the Circus City Queen! I hope to see you next year! “MAY ALL YOUR DAYS BE CIRCUS DAYS”
“Let all that you do be done in love,” 1 Corinthians 16:14
‘Becca
Every July they put aside eight days to shut down the entire downtown for "Circus week". It’s basically a community carnival focused on celebrating the circus (Elephants and all).
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Peru, Circus City Festival
Peru, Indiana, The Circus Capital of the world! The Peru Amateur Circus held in July is anything, but amateur and you must come and see it! Photographs taken by Rebecca Danielle Portraits.
When I told my family I was moving to Peru, the first thing that came to mind is the South American country, But for Indiana residents they know it to be the Circus Capital. There is some amazing history here in this small town of 11,417 residents. The Circus City Festival Inc was founded to Bring back the rich circus heritage in 1960.
"Dating back to the late 1800s, many of the country’s most famous circuses winter-quartered only a few miles southeast of Peru. That area is now home to the famous International Circus Hall of Fame." - Circus City Festival Inc
Once a year in the month of July, around two hundred young people (ages range from 7 to 21 years) put on a sensational amateur circus. I had the pleasure of watching this show and I was amazed at the talent these performers had. From Highwire, to juggling I was really impressed! I couldn't look away as I witnessed young women hanging from their hair!
IT WAS ANYTHING, BUT AMATEUR !
People come from all over to partake in this eight day event! The entire downtown shuts down for what we call "Circus week". its basically a community carnival focused on celebrating the circus. With tryouts around the corner I thought I would post some photos I took of this event from last year. If you are ever in the area and have not yet seen this festival, You must come and whitness the pride this town has for its Circus.
