National Jugglers, Local Skiers Host C.R. Skuggling Show

Cedar Rapids, get ready to be blown away by the phenomenon known as "skuggling"!

While the Five Seasons ski team (5sst) presents weekly shows at Ellis Park every Thursday evening through Labor Day, this week offers a special event that is a first in Iowa, and rarely seen anywhere else.

5sst has been practicing "skuggling" since 2017, when they decided to try something and now, six world-class skiers from across the country will join the show and help them perform it for the first time in front of an organized crowd.

This coincides with the 75th Annual International Juggling Festival going on this week in Cedar Rapids. The festival is hosted by the International Jugglers' Association and it marks the event's second time in Cedar Rapids. Here is how the festival is described on their Facebook page:

Mark your calendar now for a historic week of incredible juggling, workshops, shows, competitions and memories in Cedar Rapids! Stay tuned for regular updates on performers, registration, special events and unexpected surprises!

The entire week of events is being held at the Paramount Theatre, including Thursday night's International Juggling Championships.

The world's best jugglers are judged on four criteria, according to Radio Iowa:  difficulty, creativity, execution, and presentation. Everything is on the table in judging their performances from music, costuming, the choreography.

A special collaboration is also taking place during the weekly Five Seasons Water Ski Team show on Thursday night.

If you've never been to one of their shows, they are a great time and are located across from Ellis Pool, 2021 Ellis Blvd NW. You'll want to bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on as there is limited bleacher seating.

This "skuggling" show takes place starting at 6:30 p.m. this Thursday, July 14 at Ellis, prior to the regular Five Seasons Ski Show. Here is the remaining schedule for the Five Seasons Ski Team shows, each starting at 7 p.m. unless otherwise noted:

• Thursday, July 14
• Thursday, July 21
• Thursday, July 28
• Thursday, August 4
• Thursday, August 11
• Thursday, August 18, 6:45 p.m.
• Thursday, August 25, 6:45 pm
• Monday, September 5 (Labor Day) 5 p.m.

These are always fun shows and with some added excitement spicing it up this week, it is definitely worth attending!