Circus by the Sea, featuring FSU's Flying High Circus has set up camp in Panama City Beach. They'll be at Frank Brown Park all summer and their first performance is on June 13.

This could end up being a really cool attraction for PCB. I saw the Flying High Circus in Tallahassee several years ago and they blow away the typical touring circus acts you see at your local fairgrounds.

They're also hosting a summer Circus Camp for kids.

We'll try and go to the June 13th show and report back with some photos and additional info.

Circus by the Sea, Panama City Beach, Florida,

fsu.edu | Flying High Circus - "The Greatest Collegiate Show on Earth!"

Frank Brown Park - Panama City Beach, Florida's Recreational Center

P.S. The Aquatic Center at Frank Brown is pretty cool, too... if you have kids looking for a few hours of inexpensive fun! PCB Aquatics Center

New “Circus by the Sea” to Open on Florida’s Gulf Coast
Features Florida State University Flying High Circus in Panama City Beach

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. – In June of 2008, Florida’s newest seasonal attraction – Circus by the Sea – will spring to life at Frank Brown Park in Panama City Beach, bringing a dazzling three-ring aerial and stage production to visitors and residents alike. Presented by Flying High, LLC, Circus by the Sea will showcase junior and senior performers from the renowned Florida State University (FSU) Flying High Circus, celebrating 60 years of spellbinding entertainment. Circus by the Sea will also debut the area’s first children’s circus camp, which will include lessons in a wide variety of thrilling circus performance skills, entertaining games and fun activities.

“I’m excited to bring the ‘Greatest Collegiate Show on Earth’ to the area,” said Donald Hamrick, Circus Presenter. “Circus by the Sea gives the FSU Flying High Circus their first Florida summer home and will provide a wonderfully unique family entertainment option for visitors.”

With seating for 2,000, the colorful, air-conditioned Big Top will feature nightly performances beginning June 13 at Frank Brown Park and will run six days a week (Monday through Saturday) through August 2. Audiences will enjoy a full evening of jaw-dropping routines rivaling any professional troupe, with occasional special guest performances. During the Independence Day weekend, Circus by the Sea will host matinee performances on July 4 and July 5, beginning at 3 p.m. Admission is $24 for adults, $16 for children (ages 4-16) and free for children under 4 years old.

From June 23 through July 31, 2008, Circus by the Sea will hold week-long (Monday through Thursday) Circus Camps* from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. for children ages 7 to 12. Working one-on-one with FSU performers, circus campers will learn to perform various basic circus performance skills, from balancing acts to juggling, and even flying high on the trapeze. Children will also participate in games and recreational activities available at Frank Brown Park.

For more information on Circus by the Sea and Circus Camp, please visit Circus by the Sea, Panama City Beach, Florida,. For more information on FSU’s Flying High Circus, visit fsu.edu | Flying High Circus - "The Greatest Collegiate Show on Earth!". To purchase tickets for Circus by the Sea, or for specific information on performance times, call (866) 234-8895.
*Circus Camp is $285 per week for one child and includes a daily snack.
Images available upon request.

PANAMA CITY BEACH, Fla. (July 7, 2008) – Citing lower than expected ticket sales, organizers of the new Circus by the Sea in Panama City Beach, Fla. have been forced to shorten the circus’ season by nearly three weeks. The 18-member troupe of collegiate performers from the Florida State University Flying High Circus will take their final bows on Thursday, July 10, 2008, under the Big Top at Frank Brown Park. Organizers are encouraging the public to take advantage of discounted tickets to come experience the final performances.

“For those who have been waiting to buy tickets, this is their last chance for this season,” said Tracy Rudhall, Director of Marketing. “Although we've generated great exposure for the FSU Flying High Circus program and for Panama City Beach as a vacation destination, show attendance has been well below expectations.”

According to Rudhall, ticket sales have not reached the point needed to make the circus work financially, despite a warm welcome from the press and from the local business and tourism communities, and very positive responses from the crowds.

In addition to the nightly performances, Circus by the Sea has been offering an extremely popular, unique four-day Circus Camp opportunity for kids ages 7 to 12.

“Everyone seemed to like the idea of having a family-friendly attraction like the FSU Flying High Circus in Panama City Beach, so we will reevaluate our strategy for 2009,” added Rudhall.

Panhandle residents are invited to enjoy the last week of performances by the FSU Flying High Circus at a discounted ticket price of just $15 for adults, $10 for kids (ages 4-16) and FREE for children 3 and under. All advance purchase tickets will be honored any night through the final July 10 performance. For tickets or more information, call (866) 234-8895 or visit Circus by the Sea, Panama City Beach, Florida,.

Wow! That's a bummer.

Hope they find a way to make it work financially next year.

Hopefully we can make it to the show before the 10th - we were planning on going later this month.