AMES, Iowa -- Iowa State University's Juggling Club is hosting the inaugural Midwest Jugglefest this weekend in conjunction with Homecoming events.
Juggling flaming torches on Friday, Oct. 21, 8 p.m. at Fifth Street and Grand Avenue in downtown Ames will be the highlight of Jugglefest, according to Chris Kohlhaas, president the ISU Juggling Club. The show is free and open to the public.
Jugglers from the Quad Cities and Omaha as well as other Midwest areas are expected at Midwest Jugglefest.
Juggling flaming torches is difficult, especially after dark, according to Kohlhaas.
"The part that you can see, is the part that you don't want to touch," he said.
Kohlhaas conceived Midwest Jugglefest as a way to get more exposure for his club and for his favorite activity.
A junior from Algona majoring in secondary education and physics, Kohlhaas took up juggling about 10 years ago and has sharpened his skills since joining the club.
Kohlhaas says it is a skill for everyone.
"Anyone can learn the basics in about 10 to 15 minutes," he said. "Some people are natural jugglers and within a half an hour, they can do things that I can't."
Saturday of Midwest Jugglefest will be at Lied Recreation Athletic Center and is a chance for anyone to learn how to juggle and for accomplished jugglers to trade secrets and learn new tricks. The club will offer refreshments.
ISU Juggling Club has been a formal organization for four years but existed informally for many years prior to that.
The group performs at various events around Central Iowa and meets one night a week to practice, exchange tips and try new stunts. Anyone interested in learning more about ISU Juggle Club or Midwest Jugglefest should visit www.stuorg.iastate.edu/juggling.
