Life
By Eric Robinette
Staff Writer
FAIRFIELD — It’s not quite running away and joining the circus, but a new class at the Cincinnati Mall offers the next best thing: the chance to fly through the air with the greatest of ease on the flying trapeze.
“We’re inviting the general public to come and learn to fly the trapeze all summer. Once people try it, they become addicted,” said Dave Willacker, founder of the Cincinnati Circus Company.
The classes are offered at 7 p.m. Friday through Sunday and by appointment in an area outside the mall. Classes are available through November.
This is the second year classes have been offered; last year the trapeze classes were held at Newport on the Levee, attracting more than 2,000 people. The classes have been used for everything from bachelorette parties to company parties, Willacker said.
“It’s for anyone with an adventurous spirit,” he said.
Granted, it takes more than an adventurous spirit to learn how to become a more skilled trapeze artist. But Willacker is confident people will keep coming back for more of the 90-minute classes.
“It takes practice, like any sport. But there’s an adrenaline rush factor with that,” he said.
No small wonder, because instructors teach on a course that is 33 feet tall and 100 feet long. To hear Willacker tell it, though, even young kids get into the swing of tins.
“Little kids love it, ages 3 and up. I was terrified of heights until I started flying on the trapeze, and now I don’t even think about it. I just can’t wait to get that rush,” he said.
According to its website, the Cincinnati Circus began in 2003 as a juggling act. Throughout the years, the act grew to include other feats such as stilt-walking and fire eating. In 2008, the company began to focus on corporate entertainment and continually expanded its repertoire.
Karla Ellsworth, a spokeswoman for Cincinnati Mall said response has been positive, but she’s not bowing to pressure to try it herself.
“Everyone wants me to do it, and they’re all trying to kill me,” she joked,
Cost is $45 for 90 minutes. For more information, call (513) 346-3300 or visit www.cincinnaticircus.com.
Contact this reporter at (513) 705-2836 or erobinette@coxohio.com.