{"id":161807,"date":"2026-04-09T22:01:12","date_gmt":"2026-04-09T22:01:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/161807\/"},"modified":"2026-04-09T22:01:12","modified_gmt":"2026-04-09T22:01:12","slug":"long-before-ringling-bros-americas-first-circus-performers-got-their-start-in-philadelphia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/161807\/","title":{"rendered":"Long before Ringling Bros., America\u2019s first circus performers got their start in Philadelphia"},"content":{"rendered":"

Love Philly? So do we. Let\u2019s be friends. Sign up for the Billy Penn newsletter today<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u2014<\/p>\n

The circus isn\u2019t coming to town, it\u2019s already here. And it\u2019s been here for more than 200 years.<\/p>\n

Philadelphia is home to the first circus performance<\/a> in America in 1793.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cIn 1793, John Bill Ricketts brought his idea of trick writing and circus into Philadelphia,\u201d said Melissa Mellon, an aerials coach at the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Ricketts was an entertainer from Britain, where circus arts had already gained some popularity.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The \u201ctraditional\u201d elements<\/a> from Europe, like clown performances and ring-shaped arenas, were combined with acrobats, jugglers and musicians to create the first American circus performance.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"The country\u2019s first circus building was opened at 12th and Market streets on April 3, 1793. On that day the English equestrian John Bill Ricketts gave America\u2019s first complete circus performance. President Washington attended his show later that season. (Wikimedia Commons)<\/p>\n

The idea of basing a series of circus acts in one place<\/a> was relatively new in the late 1700s as well.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Ricketts continued to tour with the circus until 1799, when a fire destroyed <\/a>the amphitheater where he housed his Philadelphia circus.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Over time, circus performances in the city have continued to develop, Mellon said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe feel like Philly is such a progressive city, and we continue to grow and continue to change the art form,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Since 1799, the circus has continued to add new elements, things like animal shows and exhibits<\/a> came along in the 1820s and 1830s.\u00a0<\/p>\n

This included lion taming, which was initially brought about by American animal trainer Isaac Van Amburgh.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Eventually, circus came to include<\/a> everything from clowns to aerial silk performances to contortionists.\u00a0<\/p>\n

That legacy and the modern circus experiences will be celebrated at The Philadelphia School of Circus Arts as part of this week\u2019s firstival, a series of events to celebrate the city\u2019s historic firsts.<\/p>\n

\"\"Melissa Mellon (left) and artist Roselyn Dooley (right) stand next to the first circus performance \u2018Firstival\u2019 statue<\/p>\n

\u201cThe school wanted to focus on the athleticism of the acrobatics and the performers,\u201d said artist Roselyn Dooley, who designed the number one-shaped marker to commemorate the history of circus here. \u201cI think that my style fit a lot in with that color and expression.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

Celebrating the modern circus performance\u00a0<\/p>\n

Mellon said Philly\u2019s modern circus scene is very active.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are a few circus places where you can learn different types of circus arts and train with different coaches, and then we have a lot of artists in the area that perform professionally, whether it\u2019s putting on shows or celebrating circus arts,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The Philadelphia School of Circus Arts, where Mellon works, is an accessible spot for everyone to learn, she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe teach everything from tumbling, contortion and aerial arts to juggling and acrobatics,\u201d she said. \u201cWe\u2019re a recreational school, so we focus with youth students as well as adult students.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

The school will be hosting this weekend\u2019s firstival<\/a> as just one highlight of a weeklong series of events around World Circus Day.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The firstival <\/a>kicking off these celebrations will be held at the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts on 6452 Greene Street in Northwest Philadelphia from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Mellon said activities will include storytelling and various programming \u2013 including hula hooping<\/a> and trampoline workshops<\/a> (make sure to RSVP in advance!)\u00a0<\/p>\n

The workshops will continue even after the firstival ends \u2013 with events like an \u201caerial playground\u201d workshop<\/a> and \u201caerial dancing\u201d workshop.<\/a><\/p>\n

Activities will continue<\/a> at the circus school through the following week.\u00a0<\/p>\n

You can head over to the school on Wednesday, April 15 for an all-ages juggling club, or drop the kiddos off during a Philadelphia School District half day on Friday, April 17 for a circus-themed camp.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

The week ends with two performances. Mellon said one is family-friendly, and one adult-centered show.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe first one is our family show,\u201d she said. \u201cIt\u2019s called \u2018From History To Gritty,\u2019 and then we\u2019re doing an adult-themed show, which is called \u2018Nitty Gritty,\u2019\u2019 she said. \u201cBut all the money that we raise from those, and they\u2019re pay-what-you-can tickets, that\u2019s going to the Attic Youth Center, which is a local LGBTQ organization.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n

First botanical garden, postmaster and American-made piano and sousaphone coming up\u00a0<\/p>\n

Here is your full guide to all of this year\u2019s firstivals \u2013 including where you can find this upcoming Saturday\u2019s Firstival dates and location.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Completed<\/p>\n

Week 1: \u00a0Successful balloon flight in America (1793)<\/a><\/p>\n

Week 2: The Mummers parade, the nation\u2019s first folk parade (1901)<\/a><\/p>\n

Week 3: Volunteer fire company (1736)<\/a><\/p>\n

Week 4: Professional basketball league (1898)<\/a><\/p>\n

Week 5: Public Girl Scout cookie sale (1932)<\/a><\/p>\n

Week 6: African Methodist Episcopal congregation (1794)<\/a><\/p>\n

Week 7: Abolitionist society in America<\/a> (1775)<\/p>\n

Week 8: Authentic Chinese gate built in America<\/a> (1984)<\/p>\n

Week 9: Public protest against slavery in America<\/a> (1688)<\/p>\n

Week 10: Flower Show<\/a> (1829)<\/p>\n

Week 11: Women\u2019s medical college<\/a> (1850)<\/p>\n

Week 12: Matchbook<\/a> (1892)<\/p>\n

Week 13: Medical school <\/a>(1765)<\/p>\n

Week 14: Stadium <\/a>(1895)<\/p>\n

Upcoming<\/p>\n

\u2022 Circus performance in America (1793)
April 11, Philadelphia School of Circus Arts, 6452 Greene St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Botanical garden (1728)
April 18, Bartram\u2019s Garden, 5400 Lindbergh Blvd.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Postmaster (1737)
April 25, Franklin Court, 322 Market St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 American-made piano and sousaphone (1775 and 1893)
May 2, Ensemble Arts Philly, 300 S. Broad St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Mother\u2019s Day (1908)
May 9, Historic St. George\u2019s Museum & Archives, 326 New St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Hospital in America (1751)
May 16, Pennsylvania Hospital, 800 Spruce St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 World\u2019s Fair on American soil (1876)
May 23, Please Touch Museum, 4231 Avenue of the Republic<\/p>\n

\u2022 Steamboat for passengers and freight (1787)
May 30, Independence Seaport Museum, 211 S. Christopher Columbus Blvd.<\/p>\n

\u2022 American flag (1777)
June 6, Betsy Ross House, 239 Arch St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 U.S. Army (1775)
June 13, Museum of the American Revolution, 101 S. 3rd St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Annual Reminder demonstration (1965)
June 20, Philly Pride Visitor Center, Lombard St. and S. 12th St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Paper maker in America (1690)
June 27, Rittenhouse Town, 6034 Wissahickon Ave.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Bank of the United States (1791)
July 4, First Bank of the United States, 120 S. 3rd St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Organized baseball team (1831)
July 11 (location TBD)<\/p>\n

\u2022 Ice cream soda (Oct. 1874)
July 18, Franklin Fountain, 116 Market St.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u2022 American art school (1805)
July 25, Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts, 118-128 N. Broad St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Scientific Society of Natural History (1812)
Aug. 1, at Academy of Natural Sciences, 1900 Benjamin Franklin Parkway<\/p>\n

\u2022 Zoo in America (1874)
Aug. 8, Philadelphia Zoo, 3400 W. Girard Ave.<\/p>\n

\u2022 U.S. Mint (1793)
Aug. 15 (location TBD)<\/p>\n

\u2022 Selfie (1839)
Aug. 22, Love Park, 1501 John F Kennedy Blvd.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Slinky (1943)
Aug. 29, Philadelphia Art Museum, 2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway<\/p>\n

\u2022 Signing of the Constitution (1787)
Sept. 5, National Constitution Center, 525 Arch St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Continental Congress (1774)
Sept. 12 at Carpenters\u2019 Hall, 320 Chestnut St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Naming of the United States (1776)
Sept. 19, Independence Hall<\/p>\n

\u2022 Ronald McDonald House (1974)
Sept. 26, Ronald McDonald House, 3925 Chestnut St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Penitentiary in America (1829)
Oct. 3, Eastern State Penitentiary, 2027 Fairmount Ave.<\/p>\n

\u2022 The First Peoples
Oct. 10, Penn Museum, 3260 South St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 U.S. Navy and Marine Corps (1775)
Oct. 17, Arch Street Meeting House, 320 Arch St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Public showing of a motion picture (1870)
Oct. 24, Philadelphia Film Society, 1412 Chestnut St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Modern detective story written (1841)
Oct. 31, Edgar Allan Poe House, 532 N. 7th St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Thanksgiving Day parade in America (1920)
Nov. 7, Benjamin Franklin Parkway<\/p>\n

\u2022 University in America (1740)
Nov. 14, Houston Hall, The University of Pennsylvania, 3417 Spruce St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Children\u2019s hospital in America (1855)
Nov. 21, Children\u2019s Hospital of Philadelphia, Main Building, 3401 Civic Center Blvd.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Pencil with an attached eraser (1858)
Nov. 28, National Liberty Museum, 321 Chestnut St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Weather bureau (1870)
Dec. 5, The Franklin Institute, 222 N. 20th St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Electronic computer (1945)
Dec. 12, The University of Pennsylvania, 3451 Walnut St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Public lending library in America (1731)
Dec. 19, The Library Company of Philadelphia, 1314 Locust St.<\/p>\n

\u2022 Philly food firsts: Cheesesteaks (1930s), water ice (1932) and bubble gum (1928)
Dec. 26, Reading Terminal Market, 1136 Arch St.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Love Philly? So do we. Let\u2019s be friends. Sign up for the Billy Penn newsletter today. \u2014 The…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":161808,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[4000,4877,8547,227,1681,69,71,70],"class_list":{"0":"post-161807","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-philadelphia","8":"tag-america-250","9":"tag-arts","10":"tag-circus","11":"tag-education","12":"tag-entertainment","13":"tag-philadelphia","14":"tag-philadelphia-headlines","15":"tag-philadelphia-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/161807","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=161807"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/161807\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/161808"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=161807"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=161807"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=161807"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}