Sarasota County Fair thrills audiences with circus acts

By Ian Swaby
| 10:30 a.m. March 18, 2024

Glenn and Arlo Darling, 4, enjoy spending time together while flying through the air.

Sarasota
Neighbors

As he towered above the Sarasota County Fair atop an 80-foot pole, performing the act alongside Erindera Wallenda, Michelangelo Nock felt right at home amid the circus history of Sarasota with which his family is intertwined.

“This is the original home base of John Ringling North’s Ringling Brothers, then they moved to Bobby Jones (Golf Club)” he said after descending.

Indeed, the Sarasota County Fair has an extensive history, and this year is celebrating its 100th anniversary, having first been held in 1924.

Nock hopes that the tradition will not end, however, and indeed he and The Nerveless Nocks, including performer Siena Hartzell in the aerial hoop, helped keep audiences on the ground entertained and applauding once again.

“Every county in America needs a county fair,” he said. “You’ve got to keep this tradition going.”

He noted that county fairs are beneficial for agriculture activities and groups like 4-H.

Farm to School Coordinator for Sarasota County Kate Traugott said the experience has been impactful for the young people who exhibit there.

“I think this is such a great opportunity for them to practice their leadership skills, their future employability skills, with confidence that they're learning, and the grit that it takes,” she said. “They worked on these projects for months to bring them here, and I think that’s a really valuable experience for them.”

Haylee Palasz, 5, and McKaya Wolf, 8, go for a spin on the Nascar ride.

Michelangelo Nock makes his way for the skies during a circus performance.

Jason Henry, Grade 11, with Ben and and Wyatt Johnston, Grade 9, with a not-yet-named rooster.

Alex Floyd, 4, enjoys a visit to Goat Island.

The drop tower descends, with Bradenton's Laila Woodall, 10 (center) on board.

Luis Perez of Ranch Mateo Los Gemelo keeps the chicken legs coming.

Chase Treadwell, 7, prepares to make a swing in the strongman game.

Jack O'Reilly, 3, Benny O'Reilly, 6, Sarah O'Reilly, 3 and Lane O'Reilly, 12

Michelangelo Nock and Erendira Wallenda prepare to switch places atop 80-foot towers during a circus performance.

Lynden Sudweeks and Emily Nelson watch an act high in the air by the Nerveless Nocks.

Joe Rainey and Marsha Kirksey watch as Steven Lombardo of Fritzy Brothers One Man Circus sails by.

Correction: This article has been updated to correct the spelling of Michelangelo Nock.

author

Ian Swaby

Ian Swaby is the Sarasota neighbors writer for the Observer. Ian is a Florida State University graduate of Editing, Writing, and Media and previously worked in the publishing industry in the Cayman Islands.