Acts delight at showgrounds for Juggling and Circus Festival

Hawke's Bay residents experienced circus delights at the New Zealand Juggling and Circus Festival 2018 at the weekend.

The event was held at the Hawke's Bay Showgrounds with an Art Deco theme to coincide with the Tremains Art Deco Festival.

The 26th annual event, organised by the New Zealand Juggling Association, was held in Hawke's Bay for the first time with workshops, circus displays, buskers and a Juggling and Circus Olympics.

Organiser Johnny Ryan said the event was brilliant and the weather certainly helped.

"It's been amazing, a wonderful three-day event.

"I feel very privileged to bring it here."

People were able to do circus workshops or just come along and view some of the talented performers from around the country.

There were also a few acts from overseas including Argentina, Sweden and Britain, he said.

"It was a really lovely skill-filled and joy-filled event. It brings out the best in people."

About 200 people were in attendance throughout the weekend including performers, workshop participants and members of the public.

The festival included a gala show on Saturday night which was "amazing".

"There were world-class acts.

"It was a lovely opportunity to see people doing and teaching things they've spent thousands of hours learning to do.

"It's always such a lovely side of human beings sharing their hard-won skills."

On Friday night festival-goers got to show off their own skills at a Renegade Show with no judgments.

"It was a very sharing and friendly atmosphere."

People were able to experience all things circus including juggling of every kind, acro-balancing, poi, diabolo, unicycling, hula hoops, contortionism, falling for fun, balance beams, aerial silks and rings, whip cracking and magic tricks.

Some of the talent:

- Louise Kerr's Paper Girl Show

- Emma Hornell

- Ellie Marshall

- Kozo Komatsubara

- Lance Wood

- Vinyl Burns

- Anna Cruse

- KBG