The Gym Dandies” Children’s Circus of Scarborough, Maine came into existence when Jon Cahill, the director of this group, began incorporating circus arts skills into the physical education program. Music Celebrations International has had the privilege of working with John and the Gym Dandies when they traveled to the 2000 and 2004 National Independence Day Parades and the 2005 Macy’s Day Parade. We are also looking forward to seeing them back in our Nation’s Capital for the 2006 National Independence Day Parade. They are celebrating their 25th anniversary. Here is an excerpt from a report on the anniversary…
A lot has changed for the Gym Dandies during the past 25 years. During that quarter-century, the program has slowly evolved into the world’s largest continuously operating children’s circus. But while the program has grown, its focus of keeping kids active and healthy has not changed.

Gym Dandies Director John Cahill, who founded the program in 1981, will oversee the group’s 25th anniversary performance this week. The performance will feature sixty six-foot high, giraffe unicycles, over one hundred smaller unicycles, seventeen globe walkers, hundreds of jugglers, yo-yo artists, Chinese stilts, and specialized stunt unicycle demonstrations.

The Gym Dandies started with “10 kids and a box full of tennis balls,” said Cahill. The program began as an extension of the physical education class Cahill taught in Scarborough schools and slowly evolved from there.

“It’s a real milestone for me and for the program,” said Cahill. “When I started, I had no idea it would be my life’s work.”

Today, approximately 220 members participate in the program each year. The group features routines involving unicycles, various juggling props, Chinese stilts, rolling globes, bolo boards, and more.

“It’s unbelievable over the last 10 years how much it has expanded,” said Bob Mitchell, a member of the booster club.

The Gym Dandies’ reputation has grown right along with the number of children who perform and the complexity of their performances.

Last year they marched, or rather unicycled, in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade. They also have performed in the National Independence Day Parade in Washington D.C. in 2000, 2004 and will again perform in this special event in 2006. In total, the group has performed at more than 100 regional venues since its inception.

While the acknowledgement the group has received and invitations to perform in such large and prestigious events is a nice bonus, Cahill said the main purpose of the Gym Dandies has not changed since it began – helping kids remain interested in physical activity and building their self-confidence.

Many parents said the chance for all children to participate with the group is one of the best aspects of the Gym Dandies.

“It’s not competitive,” said Cindy Quinn, the secretary for the Gym Dandies Booster Club, adding the group gives students a chance to develop their social and motor skills. “It’s a way for kids who aren’t involved in sports to challenge themselves.”…