The Indiana State Fair starts this weekend with rides, animal competitions and exhibits. A circus is among the new attractions this year.
Acts in the Big Top Circus include human cannonball Brian Miser, who appeared on America’s Got Talent, comedians, a “globe of death” with motorcycles inside a steel cage and an aerialist.
“It’s going to be full of dynamic movement, fast spinning,” aerialist Nicole Montgomery said. “I'll be upside down, all of those classic things that you ought to see when someone's up in the air.”
After originally getting her degree in English, Montgomery attended circus school seven years ago. She has been performing for about four years. She follows a strict routine on performance day.
“I'll wake up and I do my makeup and my hair first, even before, I'll come to the tent,” she said. “And then I'll warm up, get my body ready. Lots of stretching, pushups, pull ups. And then, I know it sounds silly, but I stand there with my hands on my hips and take three deep breaths before I'm really ready to go out for my act.”
Based in Las Vegas, Montgomery has traveled the world to perform, including Guam, Turkey and the Philippines.
“[I’m excited] to show all the people that are coming to the state fair in Indiana what the circus is really about, show them my act and just be back in the tent,” she said. “There's nothing better than being in an actual circus tent. It is a little bit rare that you can see a circus in the full tent, instead of in a building.”
Ringmaster Ian Garden, who has been in the circus business since the ‘90s, leads the 40-minute show.
“I'm out there in every performance, announcing the show, keeping the energy up during the show,” he said.
Garden hopes to bring the circus back to the fair in future years with new acts.
Shows are at 1 p.m., 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. daily. Admission is included with general fair admission. Reserved seating is available for an extra fee.
The fair is Friday, Aug. 1 through Aug. 17, and is closed Mondays.
