This year is an election year, and unless you’ve been unplugged from all technology the past few months, you have seen an abundant amount of posts and stories regarding what’s going to happen come Nov. 3. With the pandemic still in full swing and the heightened nature of political parties, many are saying this year is going to be one of the most vital elections in recent times and voting has become more salient than ever.
There have been plenty of organizations that have been trying to get the word out for people to vote, and also to become poll workers in Pennsylvania. Every weekend for the last month, the City of Brotherly Love has seen events both in-person and virtually that are urging participants to get involved in the political process any way they can, and this Saturday is a day that echoes a similar sentiment.
Vote Early Day is a nationwide movement working to ensure all Americans know their options to vote early, and the event takes place Oct. 24. To help spread the word, the Circadium School of Contemporary Circus, which happens to be the nation’s first school of higher education for circus arts, will be hosting an event from 1 to 4 p.m. on its Mt. Airy Circus Campus.
“Circadium is a school that is designed to cultivate young artists who think critically about the world around them. Being engaged in current events is a part of our school’s mission,” said Executive Director Shana Kennedy in a statement. “We believe that as the performing arts re-emerge from the pandemic, circus will be one of the most accessible and enjoyable ways for artists to express themselves. Circadium is very proud to be part of the voting efforts this year, sending the message to young people that actively participating in our democracy is another critical form of self-expression.”
Voting early in the state of Pennsylvania actually holds a bevy of benefits. By voting early, Americans can be sure that any last-minute problems they might run into will not impede their chance to vote, but new voting early rules—both for in-person and by-mail options—are causing confusion and preventing voters from casting their ballots. This new event with Circadium will be presented to help alleviate any confusion and draw the message home for voters. Plus, the message will be spread in a colorful and energetic way.
The celebration will follow all guidelines from the CDC, but will also engage students, neighbors, and the larger community and expand awareness of the opportunity to vote early in Pennsylvania. According to the release, Circadium’s talented students will perform amazing circus feats and volunteers will distribute vote-early information and connect voters to vote-early resources as part of a festive—but responsibly maintained and socially distanced—celebration. Guests will be guided to a walking path, where they can explore the perimeter of Circus Campus, stopping at small performance stations along the way. Six feet distance should be maintained between all separate family groups, and mask-wearing will be mandatory for all guests and performers. Hand-sanitizer will also be provided at several stations along the pathway.
The performances will range from trapeze tricks, aerial silks, tightwire, juggling, acrobatics, and more, and free refreshments and Vote Early Day swag will be available for attendees.
“Circadium’s 28 full-time students come from 18 different states. Some of them are voting absentee in their home states, and others have opted to register in Pennsylvania instead and become new Philadelphia voters,” added Kennedy in her statement. “We’re supporting them individually to get their ballots, or leave school to vote in-person, as needed.”
For more information and a full list of details, visit circadium.com
