Circus City Festival

The Circus City Festival in Peru, Indiana, is an annual mid-July event celebrating the city's rich circus heritage, known as the Circus Capital of the World. The 2025 festival runs from July 11 to July 19 and features a weeklong lineup of outstanding youth circus performances, carnival activities, food vendors, and the grand Circus City Parade on the final Saturday in downtown Peru.

Festival Atmosphere and Surroundings
Downtown Peru transforms into a lively, family-friendly carnival setting. The vibe combines nostalgic circus charm with festive summer fun. The streets are filled with carnival rides lighting up the evening sky, midway games, face painting, balloon artists, and classic treats like funnel cakes, lemon shake-ups, corn dogs, and elephant ears. The community gathers enthusiastically, especially for the parade, which draws large crowds and includes vibrant floats, marching bands, vintage circus wagons, and young circus performers[1].

Activities and Events

• Youth Circus Performances (July 11–19): About 200 young performers aged 7 to 21 showcase circus skills including trapeze, clown comedy, acrobatics, human pyramids, aerial silks, unicycling, and more. These high-quality amateur acts often feature live music by the Circus City Band, bringing energetic old-school circus ambiance. There are over 10 shows during the festival, held nightly in a permanent big-top tent at the Circus City Center located at 154 North Broadway, Peru. Tickets go on sale with general admission on July 11, then reserved seating July 12–19, with evening shows typically at 7 PM[1][2][3][5][7].

• Circus City Parade (July 19): The grand finale is one of Indiana’s largest parades, taking place through downtown Peru. It features elaborate floats, multiple marching bands, vintage circus wagons, and young performers entertaining the crowd. The parade has a tradition of including circus animals, such as elephants in past years, and is highly anticipated by residents and visitors alike. Spectators are encouraged to bring chairs and arrive early to secure good viewing spots[1][4].

• Carnival Midway & Family Fun: Each evening during the festival, carnival rides and games are available, creating a classic summer carnival environment perfect for families. Food vendors offer a variety of traditional carnival fare, contributing to the festive atmosphere[1][4].

Schedule Highlights (Approximate times and locations based on available information)

• July 11: Opening day with general admission shows and carnival opening
• July 12–19: Reserved seating nightly circus performances at 7:00 PM at Circus City Center
• July 15: Featured performance night
• July 19, Saturday: Circus City Parade in downtown Peru (daytime) and final evening performance

History and Founding
The festival has a long legacy dating back 65+ years as America’s Own Circus Spectacular. It is deeply rooted in Peru’s circus history and celebrates young performers who train and perform at a remarkably professional level despite their amateur status. Many alumni of the Peru Amateur Circus have gone on to professional circuses like Ringling Bros. and Shrine Circus. The event is community-driven, supported by numerous volunteers and local participation. Besides the circus performances, the festival includes traditions such as the crowning of Miss Circus City, a scholarship program running for over six decades[2][4].

Accessibility and Admission
The event is held in downtown Peru, Indiana, with the main circus performances hosted indoors at the Circus City Center, which is handicapped accessible. There is an admission charge for the shows, with tickets available online or at the box office. The carnival and parade are open to the public and typically free to attend[1][5].

In summary, the Circus City Festival blends high-level youth circus entertainment with a classic carnival atmosphere, community celebration, and a historic parade, creating a unique and vibrant summer event in Peru, Indiana.