Circus serves up fun at Sarasota mall

Mall at UTC hosts circus-themed summer fun.

  • By Amelia Hanks
  • | 2:22 p.m. June 14, 2018
  • East County
  • Neighbors
  • Share

Harper Lassiter, 3, couldn't tear her eyes away from the plate she spun on a stick at The Mall at UTC. Her small hand grasped the end of the stick and had to be pried away by her father, Jimmy Lassiter.

"She likes gymnastics. She tumbles all the time," Jimmy Lassiter said while Harper watched performers from the Sailor Arts Academy, a program of the Circus Arts Conservatory.

The Lassiters, who live in University Park, were attending The Mall at UTC Summer Fun Club on June 14, which had the theme Circus Day. Children from all over Sarasota and Manatee counties came out to try circus activities and watch performances from children in the Sailor Circus Academy.

The event included face painting, plate spinning, hula hoops and learning from actual circus performers. 

Who knows? Circus Day could have inspired the next big circus performer to take the stage. 

Kennedy Cameron, 15, performs with the Sailor Circus Academy in Sarasota.
Kennedy Cameron, 15, performs with the Sailor Circus Academy in Sarasota.
The Sailor Circus Academy's Emma Clarke, 12, has an almost five minute routine of spins and twists high above the ground in her hoop.
The Sailor Circus Academy's Emma Clarke, 12, has an almost five minute routine of spins and twists high above the ground in her hoop.
Parrish resident Jackson Stoles, 5, says he got a dragon painted on his face because it
Parrish resident Jackson Stoles, 5, says he got a dragon painted on his face because it " looked cool."
Parrish's Brexton Sullivan, 4, likes watching the circus but doesn't think he wants to join.
Parrish's Brexton Sullivan, 4, likes watching the circus but doesn't think he wants to join.
Sarasota's Jack Rubner, 2, loves his clown nose he got at Circus Day.
Sarasota's Jack Rubner, 2, loves his clown nose he got at Circus Day.
Sailor Circus Academy's Teresa Powell, 16, helps Parrish's Riley Zawacki, 4, learn how to do a back bend, a basic tumbling technique.
Sailor Circus Academy's Teresa Powell, 16, helps Parrish's Riley Zawacki, 4, learn how to do a back bend, a basic tumbling technique.
Sailor Circus Academy performer Callahan Harchuck, 10, walks around the Circus Day festivities on stilts.
Sailor Circus Academy performer Callahan Harchuck, 10, walks around the Circus Day festivities on stilts.
Eleanor Hon, 5, from Georgia, is visiting her family in Sarasota and loves unicorns.
Eleanor Hon, 5, from Georgia, is visiting her family in Sarasota and loves unicorns.
University Park's Harper Lassiter, 3, and her 1-year-old brother, Jackson, stares at the spinning plate.
University Park's Harper Lassiter, 3, and her 1-year-old brother, Jackson, stares at the spinning plate.
Parrish's Reese Phillips, 5, enjoys balancing the plate on one finger as it spins.
Parrish's Reese Phillips, 5, enjoys balancing the plate on one finger as it spins.

 

Latest News

Evidence discovered in the home of 33-year-old Demond L. Smith who was arrested by Sarasota police on multiple charges.
  • December 20, 2025
Repeat felon faces charges in Sarasota drug bust
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
  • December 19, 2025
Traffic cleared after fire, bridge malfunction in Sarasota, Longboat
District 5 representative Ron Cutsinger will be the 2026 chairman of the Sarasota County Commission.
  • December 19, 2025
Sarasota County commissioners pick chair, vice chair
Locations of the new St. Armands speed tables are marked in red.
  • December 19, 2025
St. Armands speed humps will be replaced with permanent speed tables

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content