Circus fans coming to Normal, 'trapeze capital of the world'

NORMAL, Ill. (AP) - Circus fans will hold their annual convention in an Illinois community once known as "The Trapeze Capital of the World."

About 100 people are expected to attend the Circus Fans Association of America's convention in Normal. It begins April 18 and coincides with the 89th anniversary of Illinois State University's Gamma Phi Circus, the country's oldest collegiate circus.

The association works to generate interest in the circus and preserve it as an art form.

Attendees may view circus-related collections at ISU's Milner Library, including an exhibit about 150 years of circus in Illinois.

Maureen Brunsdale, the library's head of special collections and rare books, says "circus history is a point of pride for the Bloomington-Normal community" and "we can't wait to show off our town and our amazing collection."