What Makes Sailor Circus Unique?  

Sailor Circus now in its sixth decade of operation has grown from a small high school gymnastics class in 1949 to the present spectacular 4 ring youth circus production known world wide as the Greatest "Little" Show on Earth. Students from the 4th through 12th grades in Sarasota and surrounding counties have an opportunity to experience the performing arts in a circus atmosphere. Our dedicated students practice 20 - 30 hours a week and are trained by volunteer coaches who are retired circus performers, sailor circus alumni and enthusiastic parents. More than 200 volunteers donating over 25,000 hours of their time each season to Sailor Circus demonstrates strong community involvement.

Click here to see a timeline. Click here to view recent photos.

 

Sailor Circus is a major tourist attraction for Florida’s Gulf Coast. Through the years, more than 10 thousand students have performed to more than 1 million attendees during our annual home based performances.

More than 62 Years of Excellence...

For more than 60 years, Sailor Circus has thrilled audiences around the globe with outstanding feats performed by students from Sarasota, Florida.

More remarkable than their abilities is the fact that they are all children. As performers in America’s oldest youth circus, these children are recognized as major contributors to the circus legacy in Sarasota. Sailor Circus is a program of Circus Sarasota, a non-profit organization, with the goal of helping our youth develop life management skills, self-discipline and gain confidence while learning through the circus arts.

Sailor Circus invites you to attend our shows and become involved with our programs through volunteer opportunities or donations.
 

ENRICHING • EDUCATING • ENTERTAINING


It is the history and culture of the CIRCUS that sets Sarasota
apart from any other place in Florida and, for that matter,
almost any other city in North America. No single organization
better exemplifies the living, breathing circus in our
community than Circus Sarasota. Thanks to the vision
and the passion of Dolly Jacobs and Pedro Reis,
Circus Sarasota continues to preserve and enhance
Sarasota’s lively circus legacy that began in 1927.


Circus Sarasota’s annual performance engagements have
been acclaimed for world-class artistry and entertainment
showcased in a one-ring, five-star European-style circus.
No less significant, however, are the year round on-going
outreach programs, Laughter Unlimited, Big Top Education
and Sailor Circus dedicated to “children of all ages” in the
community. Laughter Unlimited is a program in which
performers provide entertainment for, and meaningful
one-on-one interaction with, residents and patients of assisted
living facilities, nursing homes, hospitals, and cancer support
communities. For elementary school students, Big Top
Education offers a stimulating and enjoyable circus-themed
curriculum to enhance math, science, and reading. Sailor Circus
is the longest-running youth circus program in America, serving
Sarasota County students from the 4th through the 12th
grades. Over 10,000 students have participated in the program,
and more than a million people have attended performances
of “The Greatest Little Show on Earth!” What you experience
under our Big Top and what we contribute to the
community prove that the circus is alive and well…
and living right here in Sarasota!
Alumni Help Raise The Bigtop Tickets
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