In honor of its 90th anniversary, Gamma Phi Circus at Illinois State University has been invited to perform at the 93rd Annual Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade on November 28, 2019 in New York City. Tune in to NBC to watch live coverage of the Parade and to see this once-in-a-lifetime performance by Gamma Phi Circus!
Gamma Phi was first established by Clifford “Pop” Horton in 1929 as a gymnastics fraternity with the objectives to “promote physical education among the students of the university” and to “honor gymnastic excellence in the individual members of the student body.” During the 1931-1932 school year, Gamma Phi expanded from a gymnastics fraternity to a collegiate circus.
Throughout the past year Gamma Phi Circus—the nation’s oldest collegiate circus—has been celebrating its 90th anniversary and is honored to finish out this celebration at the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade!
If you would like to help send Gamma Phi Circus to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade, please consider making a gift to Hatch.IllinoisState.edu/GammaPhi. All donations will be used to help provide airfare and lodging for Gamma Phi Circus performers and coaches.
If you would like more information contact Rainie Themer, Gamma Phi Circus Program Director, at 309-438-2937 or mltheme@ilstu.edu.
