š¤¹āāļøĀ FlowJuggle: IJA Fest 2026 Highlights & The 17th Annual NYC Unicycle Festival! š”
- Teo von Baeyer
- 19 hours ago
- 4 min read
Yo, Jugglers and flowmies Fam!
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It has been a few weeks since we wrapped up an absolute whirlwind of a week at the 79th Annual International Jugglers' Association (IJA) FestivalĀ in Fort Wayne, Indiana, but we are still buzzing from the incredible energy. Looking back on it now, from the historic Embassy TheatreĀ to the intense sessions in the gym, our hearts are still full, and our hands are finally rested!
YANA Issue #3 and the IJA Community
One of the best parts of IJA, was connecting with the artists, researchers, and performers involved with YANA Issue #3. The publication offers a fascinating snapshot of contemporary juggling culture, bringing together voices, ideas, photography, and creative work from across the international juggling community.
Throughout the festival, we had the chance to jam with a bunch of the artists featured in the magazine and related video projects. Seeing those conversations continue in person, from the shows and gym sessions to late-night gatherings, was a reminder of how interconnected the global juggling community has become.
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Photo caption:Ā Artists, performers, and contributors connected to the YANA community gathered during IJA 2026 to celebrate the release of Issue #3.
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Legends in the House: Dave Finnigan & EducationĀ š
It wouldn't be an IJA fest without honoring the roots of our craft. We got to connect with the legendary Dave Finnigan, famously known as "Professor Confidence". Dave has taught millions to juggle through his books like The Complete Juggler, and we are stoked to keep his legacy alive with restocked copies of his work at our Dumbo shop.
Speaking of legends, we were there to see Keith NelsonĀ (the one and only Mr. Bindlestiff) and Mark WilliamsĀ receive well-deserved honors. Mark, known as "The Catching Machine" from New Zealand, absolutely killed it at the Flow Show with his unique hula hooping and juggling fusion. The Sky King Award was handed over to Mark by Sam Malcolm, Native American comedian juggler, previous recipient of the award in 2023!
Coming Home to the NYC Unicycle Festival 2026!Ā š”
Ā It was great to catch up with our beloved Thom WallĀ from Vaudeville Press. Thanks to him for providing us with these new books and getting us new copies of some of our classics. Please feel free to stop by the shop and peruse all the interesting books we have. Like every year, the iconic David CainĀ and Scott, filmed his brother on his cellphone as David CainĀ received the IJA Bobby May Award this year! It was nice to see Scott, filming his brother from the audience as David got the well-deserved award.
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And for our flowmies looking to level up their manipulation game, we just added the TrikyStix Flower Sticks https://www.flowjuggle.com/product-page/flower-devil-sticks-set-by-tr1kyst1x
Ā to the site! These sets are perfect for those technical moves to get as good as Alejandra (She got a set and loved it).
The action didn't stop in Indiana! As we edit the blog, we are literally gearing up for the 17th Annual NYC Unicycle Festival 2026, organized by the same incredible Keith Nelson, aka Mr. Bindlestiff, who we saw receiving the IJA Award of Excellence. Weāre so grateful to KeithĀ Nelson, aka Mr Bindlestiff, and the team at Bindlestiff Family CirkusĀ for putting together this spectacular event that has been taking place for over a decade on Labor Day Weekend. Free for everyone, bringing together 1st-timers and casual riders, world-class performers, mountain and off-road unicycle enthusiasts, mono-wheel vehicle inventors, and thousands of people who have not ridden in umpteen years!
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Now is your time to shine! To plan your rides and check out the exact streets we'll be rolling on, visit the NYC Unicycle Festival About Page (https://nycunifest.com/about/) where you can find direct links to the Google Maps routes for each ride!
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Here is the full 4-day breakdown of the NYC Unicycle Festival (UNIFEST):
Thursday, September 3: Long-Distance Manhattan Ride (10:30 am to 3 pm approx.)Ā š½ Meet up at Pier A in Battery Park CityĀ (in front of the Pier A Harbor House). We'll start by cruising along the Hudson River Greenway to the Central Park loop, then head down Broadway to Times Square for roasted peanuts and an iconic center-of-the-universe one-wheeled photo! (Approx. 10 miles)
Friday, September 4: Brooklyn Unicycle Day (2 pm to 6 pm approx.)Ā š Meet outside New York City HallĀ (across from the Manhattan entrance to the Brooklyn Bridge). Join in the tradition as we pedal over the bridge, through Downtown Brooklyn to Prospect Park, and glide down Ocean Parkway all the way to Coney Island! (Approx. 13 miles)
Saturday & Sunday, September 5 & 6: The Main Event in Queens (Noon to 5 pm)Ā š The main festival hits the 34th Ave Open Street in Jackson HeightsĀ (between 93rd St & 94th Stāthe largest Open Street community in NYC!). Expect unicycle basketball and hockey games, races, demonstrations, workshops, and a dedicated learn-to-ride areaĀ for absolute beginners!
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Restocked & Ready: New Books & Gear!Ā š
We didn't just bring back memories; we brought back an entire library! Our Books & DVDsĀ section is now loaded with fresh inspiration. Check out whatās new in stock:
YANA Magazine Issue No. 3Ā ā Stacey Strange (Editor)
The Zen of JugglingĀ āĀ Dave FinniganĀ (These copies are all signed by the author!)
Juggletime DVDĀ ā Dave Finnigan
Juggling for Success DVDĀ ā Dave Finnigan
We also have the iconic enamel pins from Dave FinniganāsĀ classic book The Complete Juggler that you can collect to celebrate different juggling skills youāve learned!
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America and Europeās Greatest JugglersĀ ā Edward Van Wyck
The 388 Tattoos of Capt. GeorgeĀ ā Amelia Klem Osterud and Fritz Grobe
Contortion and Practices of Body Flexibility in East AsiaĀ ā Mariam Ala-Rashi
An International Circus AffairĀ ā Jeff Raz
Audacious Mr. AstleyĀ ā Chris Barltrop
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Weāve also restocked favorites like:
Artistes Of ColourĀ ā Steve Ward
Juggling: What It Is And How To Do It!Ā ā Thom Wall
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Join the Flow State!Ā š
Weāre bringing all this inspiration back to the heart of Dumbo. If youāre in NYC, come visit us at 145 Front StreetĀ to try out the same Kosmos LED clubsĀ or Play bounce ballsĀ used by the pros. As we always say: If youāre not dropping, youāre not learning!.
Huge thanks to Noel, Benjamin, and the entire IJA board for a phenomenal week. We can't wait to see the "juggling seeds" planted this week grow into the next generation of performers!
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Keep on juggling, flowmies!
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