The Big Red Juggling Festival took place in Ithaca, New York over four days, starting Friday evening, September 4th and concluding in the early afternoon on Labor Day, Monday, September 7, 2026. The juggling festival was organized by Jeff Wardlaw.
The Big Red Juggling Festival in Ithaca, New York
Juggling took place at the Dewitt middle school. The gym was a pleasantly casual atmosphere that allowed for club passing, solo juggling, or impromptu conversations throughout the four-day weekend festival.
Wes Peden performed his highly technical, exciting, and entertaining show Rollercoaster showcasing his truly incredible club, ball, and ring juggling, as well as plate spinning, in an hour and ten minute performance on Saturday evening to a packed Kiplinger Theatre at the Schwartz Center on the Cornell campus. His performance had skills and incredible feats that took years of practice to develop and accomplish. Peden also led a three-hour instructional workshop on ball juggling Sunday morning at the Dewitt middle school. Upcoming tour dates for Rollercoaster are in November 2026 in Basel, Switzerland, and December 2026 and January 2027 in Salzburg, Austria. Peden’s new show, Astromorph, is expected to premier in Europe in February 2027.
Jay Gilligan and Kyle Driggs performing Hologram in Ithaca, New York
Jay Gilligan and Kyle Driggs debuted their highly artistic juggling show, Hologram, at the Cherry Arts performance space in Ithaca, with two one-hour performances on Sunday afternoon. Hologram incorporated ring juggling, juggling over industrial fans for a shimmering effect, large scarves, large white balloons, interaction with juggling and mobile lights that resulted in shadows projected on white partitions; LED balls, staffs, and clubs with audience interaction; and balls of yarn that when juggled unraveled or were woven.
The Hupstate Circus Festival with multiple performances across the city concurrently took place over the Labor Day weekend. Ithaca is also well regarded for its outdoor recreation options, for example, hiking, especially to waterfalls.
JoAnn Ireland
JoAnn Ireland is a longtime hobbyist juggler who especially prefers juggling beanbags, joggles (running and juggling), and occasionally rides a unicycle. She is grateful for the opportunity to have been able to attend many IJA and regional juggling festivals.