After the tornadoes passed, the damage came into focus.
In just half an hour, three twisters tore through Tallahassee on May 10, 2024, flattening trees, tearing roofs and shredding one of Florida State University’s most beloved landmarks: the Flying High Circus tent.
Since the mid-1960s, the FSU Flying High Circus has been the only collegiate circus to boast its own big top tent. The tornadoes left the circus without its iconic tent that had been visible for decades as a symbol of school spirit and tradition.
For nearly a year, the circus team trained in tight corners and made do without their signature space.
Now, with a new big top rising where the old one stood, the Flying High Circus is back.
“The circus is an integral part of FSU’s history, and the tent is a beloved symbol on campus,” said Amy Hecht, vice president for Student Affairs, which oversees the circus. “The recovery process wouldn’t have been possible without the dedicated efforts of the circus team, leadership at FSU and a tremendous outpouring of support from the Tallahassee community. We are eagerly awaiting the first show back under the big top.”
The circus had to replace everything that was destroyed, including the big top tent fabric, steel structures, seating and even concrete foundation. The 10.5-month recovery process has been a testament to the resilience and determination of the circus team.
“The entire process of tent replacement could not have been accomplished without the effort and expertise of our circus staff,” said Chad Mathews, director of the FSU Flying High Circus. “From the very beginning of the process with designing the upgrades to the tent and all the way to facilitating the delivery and conducting the installation; the unique talents, passion and proficiency of our staff was on full display.”
Understanding the new tent
The fabric used for big top tents typically has a lifespan of around 10 years. The new tent is similar to its predecessor but is more durable and functional. The garnet exterior has been swapped for a new gold and cream one to create a cooler environment for those under the tent in the Florida heat. Ventilation at the top has been increased to improve airflow.
Other improvements include larger exits and unobstructed openings that will address issues with water intrusion and leaks that plagued the previous tent. The seating system has been replaced and remains modular to allow for future adjustments as needed, and the aerial rigging and truss grids have been replaced to ensure performers’ safety.
The swooping point motif, which elegantly slopes down from the cupolas, is unique to FSU, Mathews said. The design was created by a graphic designer in the former Oglesby Union Marketing Office.
The new tent arrived by cargo ship March 20 after being designed by Canobbio, a textile architecture company in Italy. FSU circus student performers donned hard hats and construction vests to help install the new tent’s poles and place the fabric. It’s a tradition for these students to take the tent down each fall semester and set the tent back up in the spring.
Now student performers are looking forward to rehearsing under the big top once again.
“For my act, which is triple trapeze, we usually practice in the tent,” said Kira McClard, a sophomore behavioral neuroscience major whose acts include acrobatic jump rope. “With that, we get the experience with the height and can kind of desensitize that fear response. Getting in the tent is something I miss, and the adrenaline rush of climbing up the rope all the way to the top and sitting and doing our tricks with a low fall or a high fall.”
Outpouring of support
The cost of the rebuild is expected to exceed $2.25 million. The tent itself, including shipping costs from Italy, amounted to nearly $850,000. The new seating system is just shy of $250,000, and the replacement rigging components are projected to exceed $150,000. The site improvements, which include the concrete floor and electrical upgrades, will exceed $1 million.
“The outpouring of support from the FSU and Tallahassee community, as well as alumni, has been remarkable,” Mathews said. “People immediately wanted to help.”
Fundraising efforts included initiatives such as lemonade stands and t-shirt sales. Madison Social, Alumni Hall and the Garnet & Gold Store were quick to offer support. The circus team also sold sling bags made from the previous tent fabric.
More than $83,000 has been raised through ongoing fundraising efforts, with an additional $15,000 from this year’s FSU Great Give. These funds have been instrumental in replacing rigging and aerial truss grids to ensure the circus can continue to provide top-notch performances.
Looking ahead to the next act
Mathews said if all goes according to plan, the circus will be ready to perform in October for the Halloween Show Series. He says that he and the students are looking forward to the return and seeing the reward of all the work they’ve put in to get there.
“It’s going to make our shows even better,” said Cooper Garrard, a junior psychology major whose circus acts include rola bola, juggling, stilts and flying trapeze. “Everything is just going to be that much better knowing that we helped put back up our brand-new tent in such a short amount of time.”
To contribute to the FSU Flying High Circus Expansion Project Fund, visit give.fsu.edu.
To learn more about the FSU Flying High Circus and upcoming performances, visit circus.fsu.edu. For more about the Division of Student Affairs, visit studentaffairs.fsu.edu.
FSU Circus Fun Facts
- The tent is 200 feet long, 120 feet wide, 60 feet tall
- The new circus layout can accommodate nearly 100 student performers at a time (previous tent could fit about 30)
- There’s 26,000 pounds of equipment
- 106 steel poles surround the perimeter
- The center of the three-ring-circus boasts 8 steel beams
- Seating accommodates 1,250 spectators