Medina will host floating circus on Erie Canal on Aug. 6

Provided photo: Flotsam River Circus is shown here in a performance in Oakland, Calif. They will arrive in Medina for a show in the Canal Basin at 7 p.m. on Aug. 6.

MEDINA – Celebration of the 200th anniversary of the Erie Canal is continuing with the visit of a floating circus in Medina’s Canal Basin.

On Aug. 6 Flotsam River Circus will put on a performance at 7 p.m., according to Jim Hancock, chairman of Medina’s Tourism Committee.

“This is unique and a fun event for children and adults,” Hancock said. “I hope many people will bring their lawn chairs and come out to see them.”

Flotsam River Circus is the brain child of Jason Webley of Seattle, formerly a traveling musician, who formed the floating circus with friends in 2019.

“When I heard about this being the 200th anniversary of the Erie Canal, I reached out to the Canal Corporation and they were interested in having us perform,” Webley said in a recent phone call from his home.

The concept was inspired by the American showboat tradition and modern floating art projects, according to information from Webley, an accordion troubadour who captains the floating raft. The show includes musicians, puppeteers and circus artists on a ramshackle raft.

Flotsam is a troupe of musicians, circus performers and puppeteers who travel on a ramshackle raft, giving free performances in waterfront towns. Once their boat is together, they keep it in the water for the duration of the tour. They travel with a crew of nine and a converted school bus as their land vehicle, Webley said.

“Our goal is to bring some magic and whimsy to the world, while helping communities engage with their waterways,” Webley said.

He also stressed they are a 501©3 non-profit and exist with support from donations through Venmo or by logging on to www.rivercircus.