The MadFest Juggling Festival is a great chance for people to get more information about juggling. During the festival, the spectators get a short and basic workshop about juggling; such as how to balance the rings, rackets or balls on the air with good harmony. After getting some guidance, the spectators could try to practice the skills they learned from the friendly instructors.

The 47th annual MadFest Juggling Festival was held January 13-15 in The Redsten Gym at Madison Area Technical College’s Truax Campus. It came to a culmination at 7 p.m. on Sunday at UW-Madison’s Union Theater. The festival showcased juggling games, workshops, uni-cycling and yo-yoing.

This event got a lot of attention from people, and spectators were very enthusiastic about who joined the big pattern game. Passing the pattern results in juggling between two or more people, and a guide was instructing several individuals. The game started at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday, and although their juggling skills weren’t perfect yet, the spectators seemed satisfied and interested.

Vendors operating out of small booths in the gym offered juggling equipment at various price points. T-shirts with juggling themes were also sold.

Participants came from a wide range of places; some coming from as far as Oregon.

Sydney Peugh, a 3-year juggler from Edina High School, Minnesota, started learning the hobby in 6th grade.

“Learning with someone, such as your friends, will be more fun,” she said.

Danny Gretcer, a student from Minnesota, also expressed similar thoughts. He learned juggling at The Juggling Company in Minneapolis.

“Ask your friend to record your juggling and put it on YouTube. It will make you become famous,” Gretcher said.

Although this event was disturbed by a fire alarm, most people were not deterred from waiting outside the Truax building until emergency responders came.

The MadFest Juggling Festival at Madison College was free. The spectators could come to the Redsten Gymnasium to learn more about the game, including basics on balance and focus. Interested parties could watch the professional show at the Union Theater on Sunday, and the cost ranged from $12 to $15.

Even though the cafeteria was closed on Sunday, Madison College still operated the smaller Amini Cafeteria beside the Redsten Gymnasium. People could buy concessions such as pizza, hot dogs, nachos, popcorn and pretzels. For beverages, the WolfPack concession stand provided vitamin water, coffee and bottled water.

Overall, this event was interesting for both jug- gler and spectators alike. See you at the MadFest Juggling Festival next year!