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

The Sarasota Orchestra bought a site on Fruitville Road for its Music Center in 2023.
  • May 16, 2026
Want to be where the people are? You have to go east.
Manatee County opens applications for Tourist Development Board
  • May 15, 2026
Manatee County opens applications for Tourist Development Board
Sarasota County this week activated the traffic light, the first of its kind in a roundabout in the area, the county said.
  • May 15, 2026
Traffic signal added to Apex Road roundabout
Amanda Parrish was named interim CEO of the Bradenton Area Economic Development Corp. in January.
  • May 15, 2026
Manatee County economic development evolves

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content