Circus Historical Society Convention 2023 ^expired

The Circus Historical Society will hold its 2023 Convention from Thursday, August 24 through Sunday, August 27 in Normal, Illinois, home of Illinois State University’s Milner Library and Gamma Phi Circus, the Sweet Corn Circus, and the final resting places of several historic circus people.

Convention Program

The program will begin on Thursday afternoon with a keynote address, Reimagining The Greatest Show On Earth, by Kenneth Feld, Chair & CEO of Feld Entertainment and end on Saturday evening with our annual fundraising auction of circus posters, books, programs and other memorabilia.

Maureen Brunsdale, Milner Special Collections Librarian and a CHS Trustee, will speak at the banquet about her new book on the life of circus legend Art Concello.

The convention will also include seminars on a variety of circus history topics, entertainment at the historic Normal Theater, a performance by Gamma Phi Circus at the Sweet Corn Circus, an optional visit to the circus exhibit at the McLean County Museum, and a reception and private tour of the extensive circus history research collection at the Milner Library! The seminars and some other convention activities will be held at Uptown Station which is directly across the street from the convention hotel. Click on the Convention website to view the Convention program.

Reduced registration rates available for CHS members and full-time Students and Academics. See convention site for details.