10 Jul Impact Story: Circus City Festival
Each summer, Peru transforms into a hub of acrobatics and local pride thanks to the Circus City Festival. This beloved tradition brings together community, creativity, and the thrill of the circus arts. Housed in an iconic building that resembles a real circus big top, this organization trains around 200 children each year to perform in an elaborate circus show that draws crowds from across the region.
For more than 60 years, the Circus City Festival has not only entertained audiences, but also empowered local youth through teamwork, discipline, and artistic expression. Every child who steps into the ring represents months of training and mentorship made possible by the dedicated volunteers, staff, and the generous support of the Miami County Community Foundation. Since1998, MCCF has helped fund numerous projects essential to producing the show each year.
“We wouldn’t be able to do anything without the grants we have been given,” said Morgan Gold, Board Member and Co-Vice President of Tickets for Circus City Festival. “Our bleachers, the air conditioning, and most recently the speaker system—we wouldn’t be able to have the show if people couldn’t hear it. The grants have had an amazing impact.”
This year, a $25,000 grant from MCCF supported the Circus City Festival in purchasing and implementing an upgraded sound system. It’s just one of the many ways MCCF grants have helped enhance the circus experience and ensure that it continues year after year.
When asked what the continued grant support has meant to the organization, Gold happily said: “They mean that we can keep going.”
The Circus City Festival is more than a performance, it is a legacy of joy, growth, and community spirit. Thanks to the ongoing support from the Miami County Community Foundation, that legacy continues to thrive under the big top and far beyond.