Watch CBS News

St. Paul Youth Circus Headed To D.C. Festival This Summer

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A St. Paul-based youth circus school is taking its act to the nation's capital this summer.

Circus Juventas has been invited to perform at the 50th anniversary Smithsonian Folklife Festival in Washington. This year's festival focuses on circus arts and will be held on the National Mall for 10 days, from June 29 to July 4 and from July 6 to 9.

Daniel Butler, co-founder and executive director of Circus Juventas, calls the invitation the "greatest honor" for his organization, founded in 1994. Butler and his wife, artistic director Betty Butler, modeled the school on international circuses, which focus on athleticism and artistry.

The 30 circus students have to pay their own expenses to Washington. A fundraiser will be held Saturday at the Circus Juventas Big Top.

To donate, click here.

(© Copyright 2017 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.