Coney Island: Not for the Coulrophobic

Acrobats, clowns, fire-breathers, magicians, stilt-walkers and a ringmaster are just a few of the characters you'll encounter on Circus Day at Coney Island this Saturday, August 8. Circus Day includes tons of live music, magic shows, acrobatic feats, circus art, face painting... you name it!

There will be circus performances by The Winn’s Thrills of the Universe, The Russian American Kid’s Circus, and Circus AMOK; musical performances by Vic Thrill, World/Inferno Friendship Society, The Main Squeeze Orchestra, Gaijin A Go-Go, Lil' GN'R, The Movers & Shakers, and The Sugar Tone Brass Band; magic shows by The World Famous Pontani Sisters, Ms. Saturn, Tyler Fyre, and Oh de Twirllete; circus art by Marie Roberts, Mary Doyle, Brenda Bradley, and Takeshi Yamada.

All of these acts and the day's activities are wrangled by Ringmaster Todd Robbins.

Events and amusements will be this Saturday, August 8 from 1:00pm to 7:00 pmon W. 10th Street between Surf Avenue and the boardwalk. In the event of inclement weather, Circus Day will be held Sunday, August 9.

If you can't make it to Coney Island, Gothamist recommends checking out Alexander Calder's take on the circus at the Whitney, or watch the Calder Circus online.

Photos of the last time Gothamist went to Coney Island.

Some recent images of Coney Island on Bluejake: Part I Part II

No need to fret: Coney Island is safer than it used to be.

Some words about coulrophobia.