FLOTSAM! River Circus - CHICAGO #1
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Come see Flotsam River Circus in Chicago, IL on Wednesday, September 16th!
Flotsam is a troupe of musicians, circus artists, and puppeteers who travel on a handmade raft, giving free performances in riverfront towns along the way.
We'll be performing at Ping Tom Park, at the grassy area a little south of the Water Taxi landing. Just look for the most unusual 'boat' on the water — that's us!
Our show is family-friendly, but intended for audiences of all ages. The performance starts at 6:00 pm and will be finished before 7:30. Bring a blanket or lawn chair, and come early for a good spot!
Accessibility note: Most of the audience area is grassy and sloped, but there are a couple of paved paths that may be better for wheelchairs.
The show is free to attend, but we keep this project afloat through donations. We suggest $10–$25 per person. Cash is welcome, or you can Venmo us at @rivercircus. We are a 501c3 non-profit, and all donations are tax-deductible.
To enter the park, head West on W 19th St, over the train tracks. Parking in the area is VERY limited, so please consider carpooling, biking, kayaking, or teleporting. The closest CTA station is Cermak-Chinatown on the Red Line, and the closest bus lines are #24 (Wentworth) and #62 (Archer). There is public parking near the Chinatown station. The water taxi is also an option - the Chinatown stop is right in the park!
If you are thinking about arriving by boat, please note that our show is much better viewed from shore — and we ask that no boats position themselves behind us during the performance.
We hope to see you there — and please spread the word!
***
We will also be performing at the same location on September 17, 19, and 20. Chicago is the last stop on our 2026 Tour of the Illinois Waterway. Before Chicago, we are traveling up the Illinois River, performing in a bunch of towns, all the way from St. Louis! See our full schedule at:
http://www.rivercircus.com
A HUGE thank you to the Chicago Park District for welcoming us!
(Photos by Ben Hovland and David Schulder)
Flotsam is a troupe of musicians, circus artists, and puppeteers who travel on a handmade raft, giving free performances in riverfront towns along the way.
We'll be performing at Ping Tom Park, at the grassy area a little south of the Water Taxi landing. Just look for the most unusual 'boat' on the water — that's us!
Our show is family-friendly, but intended for audiences of all ages. The performance starts at 6:00 pm and will be finished before 7:30. Bring a blanket or lawn chair, and come early for a good spot!
Accessibility note: Most of the audience area is grassy and sloped, but there are a couple of paved paths that may be better for wheelchairs.
The show is free to attend, but we keep this project afloat through donations. We suggest $10–$25 per person. Cash is welcome, or you can Venmo us at @rivercircus. We are a 501c3 non-profit, and all donations are tax-deductible.
To enter the park, head West on W 19th St, over the train tracks. Parking in the area is VERY limited, so please consider carpooling, biking, kayaking, or teleporting. The closest CTA station is Cermak-Chinatown on the Red Line, and the closest bus lines are #24 (Wentworth) and #62 (Archer). There is public parking near the Chinatown station. The water taxi is also an option - the Chinatown stop is right in the park!
If you are thinking about arriving by boat, please note that our show is much better viewed from shore — and we ask that no boats position themselves behind us during the performance.
We hope to see you there — and please spread the word!
***
We will also be performing at the same location on September 17, 19, and 20. Chicago is the last stop on our 2026 Tour of the Illinois Waterway. Before Chicago, we are traveling up the Illinois River, performing in a bunch of towns, all the way from St. Louis! See our full schedule at:
http://www.rivercircus.com
A HUGE thank you to the Chicago Park District for welcoming us!
(Photos by Ben Hovland and David Schulder)
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Where is it happening?
Ping Tom Park, Ping Tom Memorial Park, S Melody Ct, Chicago, IL 60616, United States
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
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Host or PublisherFlotsam River Circus
