The small Indiana town that celebrates the circus coming to town all year.

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The Circus Capital of the World

Well, it's true what they say you truly learn something new every day.  Today I learned that the Circus Capital of the World was located right here in the Hoosier State. A small city of about 11,000 is the place to be if you've ever wanted to be a part of the circus.  Do you want to learn how to juggle or fly through the air like the trapeze performers?  Peru, Indiana is the place to be.

When the Circus Came to Town

According to an article from Time, Ben Wallace first brought his circus to Peru in the late 1800s.

Ben Wallace first brought his circus to the town in the late 1800s. He was followed by scores of traveling shows that established winter headquarters just southeast of Peru. The city was once so ubiquitous with the performances that, in the 1920s, Peru became known on maps as the “Circus City.” But by the 1940s the circuit no longer wintered in Peru, favoring, instead, Florida.

Now don't worry, this isn't where Peru's history with the circus ends.  Peru is still home to the Peru Amateur Circus (more on that in a second).  You can read the full in-depth dive into Peru's history with the circus, here as it is quite fascinating.

The Peru Amateur Circus

If you're kiddo has an interest in the circus, then the Peru Amateur Circus is the place for them!  Every year they put on several circus performances during an eight-day festival in July, complete with the Circus Parade that people travel from all over to see.

Every year in Peru, IN, approximately 200 young people, ages 7 to 21, present 10 circus performances during an eight-day festival in mid-July. Kiddie, Junior, Adult Clowns, the ‘Best Circus Band in All the Land, and a huge number of volunteers, join together to support these talented performers.

 Their sparkling smiles are only eclipsed by the shine of their sequin-clad costumes. The level of skill belies the fact that they are amateurs. In fact, several performers have gone on to perform with Ringling Bros. Barnum & Bailey, Shrine Circuses and other professional venues.

You can learn more about the Peru Amateur Circus, and their upcoming events for 2024, here.