An international juggling event is coming to Newark this summer. The European Juggling Convention (EJC) is the biggest and most colourful event in the world of juggling and it is coming to Newark Showground in August. EJC involves a mix of international performers, amateurs and street artists and the annual event is hosted in a different European location each year.
Over the past 42 years the convention been held in Poland, the Azores, Finland, Greece and Spain. This year it is coming to Newark.
EJC is an international meeting of old friends and the opportunity to make new ones. It also gives participants and visitors the opportunity to exchange ideas and techniques and learn new skills and tricks.
Newark and Sherwood District Council and Newark Town Council in partnership are sponsoring a day of extraordinary entertainment on Sunday, August 4 that will bring the spectacle of the festival into Newark Town Centre.
A street show in Newark on Sunday, 4 August brings the convention into town with performances, workshops and juggling games.
It has become tradition for the host town to celebrate the gathering with a colourful juggling parade and this year’s will take place at Riverside Park through to Newark Market Place at 3pm on Sunday, August 4.
The festival includes the Extreme Unicycle Championships (EUC), Western skills including rope lasso lessons and whip workshops, hands on balloon modelling, aerial and acrobatics of all levels, juggling halls for practice and skills sharing, fire, flow and glow sessions, a youth circus and the special ladybird project for children’s play and cabaret.
Jane Randall, Lead Organiser of EJC 2019 said: “We are really pleased to be bringing the European Juggling Convention back to the United Kingdom for the first time in 20 years.
“Newark is the perfect location to showcase the UK to attendees from across the globe and we are sure that the jugglers will love the history, culture and welcoming atmosphere that Newark has to offer.
“Everyone is welcome to EJC and you don’t have to worry about your age or about your skills as circus does not have boundaries. There will be something suitable for you whether you are a beginner or intermediate or advanced. You can make so many friends there and we encourage everyone to be an active part of it, by practicing, teaching, volunteering and enjoying the shows.”
Week-long festival tickets are now on sale and day tickets and show tickets can be bought on the day. The great thing about an EJC is that once you are on site all the activities and shows are all free for you to access. To find out more visit https://ejc2019.org/tickets/
The EJC runs from 3 to 11 August.
Nottingham BJC 2017 photo credit: Sam Preston
Could you be a blood donor?
Radio Newark on DAB Digital Radio.
Newark jam-packed with events this spring and summer
StreetLink support for rough sleepers in Newark and Sherwood