Celebrate Indiana’s Circus Tradition with IHS’s Free, Annual Circus Day

INDIANAPOLIS—The Indiana Historical Society (IHS) invites families to celebrate Indiana’s circus tradition with its 18th annual Circus Day, a free event featuring carnival activities, live performances and access to the award-winning Indiana Experience. Circus Day takes place Saturday, March 30, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Eugene and Marilyn Glick Indiana History Center, located at 450 W. Ohio St. in downtown Indianapolis.

Circus Day gives families the chance to show off their carnival game skills and win great prizes. Guests will laugh with comedian and juggler Krembo K, be amazed by a contortionist, and meet and learn about rescued animals with Silly Safaris. New this year, visitors can enjoy a 1937 film from IHS’s collections featuring Indiana’s own Cole Brothers Circus.

Guests are also invited to take full advantage of free admission and visit the Indiana Experience, which will include IHS’s newest offering, You Are There 1939: Exploring Angel Mounds, opening March 9. The exhibit will take guests back in time to the archaeological dig in Southern Indiana where workers uncovered a once-thriving Mississippian town.

Circus Day visitors can purchase tickets for carnival games and activities, such as face painting and balloon sculptures. Tickets can also be used for refreshments, such as cotton candy, popcorn and snow cones. In honor of Circus Day, the History Center’s Stardust Terrace Café, operated by Hoaglin Catering, will offer kid-friendly meal options.

IHS’s 18th annual Circus Day is presented by the Indianapolis Indians and Jack’s Donuts of West Market Street. For more information about this event and other IHS offerings, call (317) 232-1882 or visit www.indianahistory.org.

About Indiana’s Circus Connections
Indiana’s connection to the circus industry dates to the late 1800s, when businessmen from several Indiana cities assembled traveling “mud shows” featuring exotic animals, performers, clowns and human oddities.

By the early 1900s, the circus industry had grown—becoming the most popular form of entertainment in the United States. Several the nation’s premier shows set up winter quarters in Indiana, establishing a lasting link between the circus and the Hoosier state. Today, Peru, Indiana, is home to the world’s largest amateur circus and the International Circus Hall of Fame.

About the Indiana Historical Society
Since 1830, the Indiana Historical Society has been Indiana’s Storyteller™, connecting people to the past by collecting, preserving and sharing the state’s history. A private, nonprofit membership organization, IHS maintains the nation’s premier research library and archives on the history of Indiana and the Old Northwest and presents a unique set of visitor experiences called the Indiana Experience. IHS also provides support and assistance to local museums and historical groups; publishes books and periodicals; sponsors teacher workshops; produces and hosts art exhibitions, museum theater and outside performance groups; and provides youth, adult and family programs. IHS is a Smithsonian Affiliate and a member of the International Coalition of Sites of Conscience.

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