FLOTSAM! River Circus - ALTON

Flotsam River Circus is returning to Alton on Tuesday, August 25th!
Flotsam is a troupe of musicians, circus artists, and puppeteers who travel on a handmade raft, giving free performances in riverfront towns along the way.
We'll be performing at the Lincoln Shields Recreation Area - just across the bridge (and yes, we know this is actually in WEST Alton.) Our exact location in the park will depend on the water level, but we'll be easy to find. Just look for the most unusual 'boat' on the water — that's us!
Our show is family-friendly, but intended for audiences of all ages. The performance starts at 6:30 pm and will be finished before 8:00. Bring a blanket or lawn chair, and come early for a good spot!
The show is free to attend, but we keep this project afloat through donations. We suggest $10–$25 per person. Cash is welcome, or you can Venmo us at @rivercircus. We are a 501c3 non-profit, and all donations are tax-deductible.
Parking is somewhat limited, so please consider carpooling, biking, kayaking, or teleporting. There isn't a public bus to the park, but there is a dedicated bike lane on US-67.
If you are considering arriving by boat, please note that our show is much better viewed from shore — and we ask that no boats position themselves behind us during the performance.
We hope to see you there — and please spread the word!
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Alton is just one stop on our 2026 Tour of the Illinois Waterway. Over the next month, we'll be traveling up Mississippi to the Illinois River, performing in a bunch of towns, all the way to Chicago! See our full schedule at:
www.rivercircus.com/
A HUGE thank you to the Army Corps of Engineers, and Great Rivers & Routes for welcoming us!

(Photos by Ben Hovland and David Schulder)