Quad Cities The Place To Be For Jugglers

First, Fright Night spooked the Quad Cities into a Halloween mood. Visitors could participate in art galleries, shops and restaurants for surprises throughout the evening.

Magicians, jugglers and palm readers descended into The District for Fright Night. Children and adults alike enjoyed their trickery throughout the evening. They found treats at the sites including refreshments, games for kids such as eyeball races or the ever-favorite spider ring. Storytellers wove spine-tingling tales and pumpkin carvers showcased their wicked designs. Each participating business was trans-formed with the sights and sounds of Halloween as they competed to win the storefront-decorating contest.

There were also trolley tours to hear the spooky tales and true Rock Island ghost stories.

This coming weekend It's All Up in the Air for the Quad Cities Jugglefest, Nov. 5-7, when more than 200 of the world's best jugglers will be at the RiverCenter in downtown Davenport. You can join in with or just watch amateur and professional jugglers from all over the country.

"The Quad Cities Juggling Club has hosted more than 1,000 jugglers during their last seven festivals," said club president Dusty Galbraith. Open juggling and informal workshops start at the RiverCenter on Friday, Nov. 5 from 5 to 10 p.m. and continue Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day. Don't miss:

* Vendors selling beginner and professional grade equipment * Free juggling exhibitions at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday * Juggling and unicycling competitions starting at 4 p.m. Saturday * Free beginner's juggling workshops at 12 and 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. "We'll teach anybody who'll stand still long enough to juggle," said vice president Chuck Field.

The crown jewel of the weekend is the free Vaudeville Show at the Capitol Theater in downtown Davenport on Saturday at 7:30 p.m. The public is invited to this must-see show with the only admittance cost being a nonperishable food item. "You'll see some of the best jugglers in the country, for the price of a can of pork & beans," said Field. Besides the "normal" juggling of balls, rings and clubs, the show will feature people combining juggling with dance, magic, unicycles and other object manipulations. "It's amazing what some people can do with some of the oddest of things. This year's show will also include a sign language interpreter so more people can enjoy the art," said Field.

The entire weekend is free except for the nonperishable food donation as admittance that will go to the River Bend Foodbank.

For more information about Fright Night, contact The District at 309-788-6311 or visit www.ridistrict.com.

For more information on the Quad Cities area and lodging ideas, call the Quad Cities Con-vention & Visitors Bureau at 800-747-7800 or on the Web go to www.visitquadcities.com.

The Quad Cities is located on the Mississippi River and is made up of the riverfront cities of Davenport and Bettendorf in Iowa and Moline, East Moline and Rock Island in Illinois. The area is just a 2-1/2-hour drive from Des Moines or Chicago. It is easily accessible via I-80, I-74, I-88 and several major state highways.

Back to top of page | Journal Home