Circus Recovery

The FSU Flying High Circus suffered devastating losses on May 10, 2024, when a tornado ripped through campus and destroyed its big top and nearly all of the contents inside. While the damages are great, we now have the opportunity to rebuild better and stronger. We want to ensure that we lay the foundation for a more durable space to provide quality experiences for our students and audiences and offer opportunities for revenue-generating events.

A Recovery Fund has been created to help the Circus rebuild

DONATE HERE

Tent totes and sling bags are now available!

Made in partnership with Rareform, these one of a kind bags are constructed from the salvaged vinyl fabric our iconic tent was made of.

Circus Store

PRESS

NOLE NEWS

Tallahassee Democrat

UPDATES

July 24: Since our last update we have had quite a full schedule. Much of the work to replace the tent structure and seating is now in progress. The majority of the tent anchorage has been inspected and approved for use. The plans for the circus tent have been approved, and should go into production shortly. The tent is scheduled to be completed by the end of October. The seating system is in the process of being ordered now as well. We have been told that it will be completed next spring.

July 9: We premiered "Our Next Act", a documentary that tells the story of our tent and how it works as a part of our program. The film was created by one our recent graduates, Jordanne Cantrill. It had been in development for several years, but was a timely reminder of the importance of the big top.

June 4: After three weeks, the bulk of the demo work has been completed. The tent, steel, and bleachers have been hauled off and we have salvaged what we could. We want to give a big thank you to FSU Facilities and the demolition crew for all of their hard work! This was a massive undertaking and the skills and experience of this team have been invaluable. It is bittersweet to see the empty lot. We loved our tent; we put so much heart and time into it, and had so many happy memories under our Big Top, it’s hard to see it gone. But it is encouraging to have made so much progress and we are feeling ready for the next steps. We have reserved a large amount of the tent fabric for a future project. Stay tuned for more details in the coming weeks.

May 23: The demolition crew has been clearing the area all week. A noticeable amount of debris has been cleared, but there is still much remaining. We continue to work with our tent construction company to work towards replacing the structure. The first step in reconstruction will begin soon as all our anchorage is to be assessed. Meanwhile our circus staff is planning our next steps.

T-SHIRT FUNDRAISERS

Seminole Flying High Circus Shirt

100% of proceeds will be donated to the Circus Recovery Fund.

Garnet and Gold Store

CIRCUS RECOVERY EFFORT

The circus has been an integral part of FSU's history and tradition since 1947, providing entertainment and education to thousands of students and community members every year. We are deeply saddened by this tragedy, but we are also determined to rebuild and recover.

This loss, while devastating, offers us the opportunity to not only rebuild, but rebuild better and stronger. This tragedy has forced us to think more sustainably about the future of the circus and the facilities we use for our camps and performances. As we rebuild, we want to ensure that we are laying the foundation for a more durable space that will provide higher-quality experiences for our students and audiences and offer opportunities for revenue-generating events.

We have created a Circus Recovery Fund that will help the circus rebuild after the storm and create a more sustainable space moving forward. Any amount, large or small, will make a difference and will help ensure the FSU Flying High Circus thrives for generations to come! Your donation is tax-deductible and will directly benefit the circus.

Thank you for your generosity and support. We hope to see you under the Big Top again soon.

-Chad Mathews and Dr. Amy Hecht

During this time, we have made new connections in our community and are grateful for there contributions to our recovery effort.

Click the link for a list of businesses who have supported our efforts.