Today we’d like to introduce you to Alicia Calderwood & Carlie Huberman Co-Founders.
Hi Alicia Calderwood & Carlie Huberman , thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Carolina Circus Festival is coming to Downtown Cary Park on September 13, 2025! Sponsored by Downtown Cary Park and Cary Magazine, this free, all-ages festival promises a full day of circus wonder — featuring jaw-dropping aerial acrobatics, fire & LED shows, hands-on workshops, delicious food trucks, a vibrant arts market, and fun activities for all. Get ready to be dazzled by this year’s enchanting Magic and Mystery theme!
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit festival, we celebrate the magic of circus arts while raising awareness for mental health and suicide prevention in the movement community. All are welcome! Don’t miss this unforgettable day of thrills, laughter, and inspiration!
The Carolina Circus Festival was originally inspired by a similar event that used to happen in downtown Raleigh called CircusSPARK. It was a full weekend celebration of circus and aerial arts, but when the city decided to stop supporting it, the festival came to an end. Co-founders of CCF, Alicia Calderwood & Carlie Huberman, joined forces to create a one-day even better version of the festival in Cary! The Downtown Cary Park loved the concept and offered to sponsor us, helping bring the Carolina Circus Festival to life in support of local circus and movement artists!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
One of the biggest challenges of organizing the Carolina Circus Festival is that it’s a niche event without a lot of existing infrastructure or funding support. Circus arts aren’t widely recognized or prioritized in traditional arts programming, so finding sponsors and resources can be difficult. We also face logistical hurdles—everything from rigging for aerialists, ensuring fire and LED safety compliance, coordinating with the park and town officials, to managing dozens of performers, vendors, and volunteers in one day.
As a grassroots, community-run festival, most of the planning is done by a very small team with limited time and funding. It takes a year plus of planning each festival of coordination, creativity, and passion to bring it all together. But despite the challenges, we believe deeply in what we’re doing—creating space for circus artists, celebrating movement, and building community—and that makes all the hard work worth it.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
What makes the Carolina Circus Festival so special is its heart. It’s not just a performance event—it’s a celebration of community, creativity, and connection through movement. We bring together aerialists, acrobats, fire and LED artists, and local creatives in a way that’s completely free and accessible to the public. It’s rare to see circus arts showcased this openly, and even rarer to see them embraced so fully by a town like Cary.
We’re most proud of the inclusive and welcoming atmosphere we’ve created. People of all ages and backgrounds come out to experience the magic—some for the first time. We’ve worked hard to make sure this isn’t just a show, but a day where people feel inspired, supported, and connected. We’re especially proud that we’re able to do all of this while raising awareness and funds for mental health and suicide prevention. That deeper mission is the heartbeat of it all.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Festival Details:
Date: September 13, 2025
Time: 3pm – 9:30pm
Location: Downtown Cary Park
Cost: FREE!
✨We’re also offering FREE Circus Workshops for all ages and skill levels — no experience needed!
🛍️ Explore our CCF Arts Market featuring incredible local vendors, handmade goods, and unique finds.
🍔 We’ll have yummy food trucks on site serving delicious bites and refreshing treats throughout the whole festival..
It’s a full day of celebration, community, and circus magic — and it’s all FREE! Our mission is to raise awareness for mental health & suicide prevention. We will donate proceeds back to American Suicide Prevention Association.
Come for the fun- stay for the impact! All are welcome!
We hope to see you there!
This is a rain or shine event
Contact Info:
- Website: https://carolinacircusfestival.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/carolinacircusfestival/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carolinacircusfestival/
