Peru, Indiana — Where the Circus Never Leaves Town
Step right up for your chance to witness the spectacular and historic Peru Amateur Circus students ages 7 to 21 take center stage at Peru, Indiana’s Bigtop. For this town of about 11,000 residents, you don’t have to wait for the circus to come to town — because it never leaves.
From July 15 to the 22, the town roars with excitement for a week-long festival honoring the city’s rich circus history featuring 10 amateur circus performances that first got their roots in the late 1800s.
TKP Photo | Heidi Pruitt
2022 Peru Circus Performers
Throughout generations, residents of Miami County have participated in a variety of acts ranging in difficulty from beginning tumbling to high-wire and other advanced aerial acts.
TKP Photo | Heidi Pruitt
Sonora Dever and Katie Peterson Pose at the 2022 Peru Circus
“We try really hard to make sure that every kid that tries out can be at least in one act, so everyone can have the opportunity to grow and go up in the ranks. As the kids get older, the acts get more and more difficult. By the time some of them are teenagers, they can do some pretty cool things,” said Stacy Makowski, co-vice president of publicity at the Peru Circus. “They put on a show as good as any professional show. It blows me away with what these kids can do.”
You may think the circus time commitment — which sometimes includes long hours of practice leading up to seven straight days of performances — might make kids reluctant to join.
But performers Dekodah Stronger, 17, and Marlee Sears, 12, who have been involved in the circus for five years, says it’s worth every minute.
“The friendships you make over the years, we’re all so close,” said Stronger. “It’s a unique experience that not everybody gets to have.”
Along with the friendships, the ability to audition for different acts each season keeps Sears coming back for more.
“I like how it gives us different opportunities to try different things,” she said.
The Peru Circus has 10 shows beginning at 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 15 with one or two shows a day until July 22. The Circus City Festival will be open from July 17 to 22 with rides, fair food, games and more. The circus parade will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday July 22.
Click here to purchase your circus tickets.