The circus has come to town, with performers from Tasmania to Tanzania.
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Held at Swan Bay over three days starting Friday, the Tasmanian Circus Festival features market stalls, music and performances from around the world.
Event organisers Schantal Kathriner and Jim Carroll, of Launceston’s Circ’s Cool, are hosting the festival on their property for the second time and are expecting about 1000 attendees.
Mr Carroll said it had always been a dream of his to continue the festival for circus enthusiasts.
“We bought this land with the intention of trying to continue something that had been a staple for generations of circus-loving families across Tasmania,” he said.
“Tony Rooke ran the festival for the best part of 25 years in Golconda and when that ended there was a real void felt among the circus community.
“We wanted to continue that legacy.”
The festival features three show stages including a big top tent, with aerial stunts, manipulation, dance, acrobatics and comedy among the line-up of acts.
In the week leading up to the festival, circus school students also took part in a number of workshops with the international guests.
Trapeze artist Kasia Florczuk from Warsaw, Poland, said the event was a wonderful celebration of the circus arts.
“Everyone is just really passionate about the circus and performing,” she said.
“When I perform I want the audience to really feel something. It is a very empowering experience.”
Day passes are available online and at the gate, with prices ranging from $15 for children, $50 for adults and $130 for families.