With a legendary name and a look to the sky, The Great Geauga County Fair's newest attraction inspired many entertainment-goers to agree, "That really is…
With a legendary name and a look to the sky, The Great Geauga County Fair’s newest attraction inspired many entertainment-goers to agree, “That really is incredible.”
The debuting Circus Incred-ible with Lyric Wallenda attracted a large fair audience Sept. 3 with their awe-inspiring feats of strength and high-flying aerial artistry at the Midway Stage.
“I am proud of my family and I feel blessed,” said Lyric, of their traveling show. “This is our life. We are a big, little show.”
Part of the famous high wire and trapeze family, Circus Incredible is made up of generations of circus performers. Rietta, and her daughter, Lyric, of the world famous Wallenda family, are joined by Lyric’s husband, Simon Arestov, originally from Moscow, Russia.
“We are always looking for a new feature to add to the diversity of the 193-year-old fair,” fair board President Robert Phillips said.
Audience-goers filled the bleachers and nearby shaded folding chairs under the bright sun as One Republic’s “Counting Stars” sounded from the speakers and Arestov sprinted across the tarp covered stage.
“Just about 15 minutes to show time,” Arestov said.
“This is such a great fair,” said Linda Dean, of East Claridon, perched next to her husband, Larry Dean. “We live in Geauga County. We’re supposed to go to the fair. We come here every day. We just enjoy it all.”
Moments later, Arestov rushed to center stage.
“We come from sunny Sarasota, Florida,” Arestov said. “Are you ready for the show?”
Audience members cheered as the high energy balancing act of Arestov, self-proclaimed “Master of Balance,” soon began adding more height to his stretched poses in front of a cheering audience.
“Wow, that’s incredible,” said Emil Reiljin, of Middleburg Heights, with his wife, Jean, by his side. “This is just great.”
Soon, the thumping of techno music slowed as audience members watched one of the female performers dangle from above on an aerial hoop.
Lyric and Rietta then took the stage and smiled at the audience before climbing up for their aerial perch act.
“Now they will attempt to do one of the most dangerous acts in the circus world,” Arestov said.
The mother and daughter duo dangled high in the sky to perform a helicopter spin with Rietta dangling from her neck twirling around at speeds of more than 100 miles per hour.
“I have to really pay attention to what I am doing,” Lyric said after the show. “I have to have acknowledgement of the danger of the moment. The acknowledgement of the crowd and their applause has a lot to do with how we feel. We feel that energy.”
Lyric’s relative, Nik Wallenda, is the legendary daredevil, who, in June 2012, became the first person to walk a wire directly over Niagara Falls.
One year later, he became the first person to cross the Grand Canyon on a wire.
“We are family,” Rietta said, adding she is very close with Nik’s mom, Delilah Wallenda.
Soon, the crowd’s applause grew louder as a couple concession workers left their nearby stands to view the duo firsthand.
“Oh my gosh,” Reiljin said, as he lifted the lid of his cap to look up.
Following the show, all three performers posed for individual photos with audience-goers and answered questions.
“The Wallendas appear to have a fantastic show here and have been great to work with,” fair board Secretary Paul Harris said. “We are all looking forward to seeing them perform. It is sure to be a huge attraction and is yet again a show we offer free. This is the oldest fair in the state of Ohio and the board is very proud to present it.”
