World-Class Juggling Comes to Cedar Rapids July 11-17

CEDAR RAPIDS, IA – The Cedar Rapids Tourism Office is excited to welcome the International Jugglers' Association to the Cedar Rapids area for their 75th Annual Festival. The 7-day festival begins at the Cedar Rapids Convention Center July 11th and will continue through the 17th with multiple public performances, workshops, games, prop vendors, and what’s commonly referred to as the ‘world championships’ of stage juggling at the historic Paramount Theatre.

The IJA Annual Festival is returning to Cedar Rapids for a second time after their inaugural visit in 2017. The downtown area will be flying high with 4 shows open to the public at the Paramount Theatre, 2 free shows at the downtown Cedar Rapids Public Library and a few surprises along the way. Tickets are available online at artsiowa.com/tickets/ and at the theatre before each show. Iowa residents (with proper ID) will receive 50% OFF on all show tickets.

“Cedar Rapids was a fantastic choice in 2017 and the IJA is delighted to be back! After 2 years in the digital landscape, our return to in-person is a treasure. New this year will be our Fire Night, where we will be taking to the front steps of the Cedar Rapids Public Library and lighting up the night with fire and glow juggling! We will be out in the community of Cedar Rapids before the festival at Freedom Festival and the Farmers Market. During the festival week we'll be at the Cedar Rapids Public Library teaching and performing, and on the water with the Five Seasons Ski Team doing skuggling (juggling while water skiing)! We can't wait to see everyone at all of our shows, we've got something for everyone." says Afton Benson, IJA Festival Director.

75th Annual IJA Festival Schedule:

10AM – July 12, 2022   Planting the Juggling Seed, Downtown C.R. Public Library

• Geared toward a younger audience, the first 100 youths to attend will receive a free juggling kit! FREE

7:30PM – July 12, 2022   Welcome Show, Paramount Theatre

• The festival kickoff event featuring high-quality juggling talent and humor from American and international performers. Adult: $35, 10 & Under: $15

7:30PM – July 13, 2022   The Flow Juggling Show, Paramount Theatre

• Showcasing many of the best flow artists around, demonstrating their mastery of this genre of juggling, which is frequently found at music festivals. Flow juggling commonly includes poi, hooping, staff manipulation, and more! Adult: $35, 10 & Under: $15. 
• Fire and Glow After Show, Downtown C.R. Public Library
  • Weather permitting, catch the fire and glow prop juggling after show! FREE

7:30PM – July 14, 2022   IJA Juggling Championships, Paramount Theatre

• See the greatest jugglers in the world (junior and senior levels) perform their acts in a competitive stage setting.  Adult: $35, 10 & Under: $15

7:30PM – July 16, 2022   Cascade of Stars, Paramount Theatre

• Don’t miss the most in-demand show of the IJA Festival featuring established industry professionals who work on international cruise ships, under circus tents and are top-notch juggling and circus talent from around the world. This will be the final theater show of the festival and is an event not to be missed! Adult: $40, 10 & Under: $20

“We are beyond thrilled to host the IJA Festival in Cedar Rapids once again, and to celebrate with them as the first city to be blessed with a second visit in their 75-year history. The IJA brings a jolt of joy, energy and fun and we can’t wait to see what they have up their sleeve this year.” says Julie Stow, Associate Executive Director of the Cedar Rapids Tourism Office.

Photos Credit: Courtesy of the International Jugglers’ Association