The parking lot at Sunset Manor long term care facility was a circus today, and that's not a metaphor.
Four performers from Collingwood Circus School satellite of The Circus Company set up a show for residents of the nursing home and retirement residence.
Residents from Sunset Manor set up on balconies and courtyards with cotton candy while they watched the performance.
Kristin Nunes, owner of The Circus Company and the Barrie and Collingwood Circus Schools, said she's always wanted to give something to the elderly and senior community.
"This seemed like a good opportunity to give them something to watch," said Nunes. "It's sad they and all of us have been trapped inside for so long."
The performers donated their time for the Sunset Manor show today (June 17) as well as several other shows in Collingwood including at Bay Haven and at Raglan Village. The troupe also performed at Trillium Manor in Orillia.
"It's so heartwarming," said Nunes. "You can see in [the resident's] eyes they are so excited to see something unique."
She said some residents have approached her after to say they used to be dancers or athletes and loved reconnecting with those old memories.
At one performance, Nunes said her husband was running the music for the show and was asked by a staff member to move over. A woman inside wanted to see the show more clearly. She was smiling for the first time in weeks after being "very unhappy."
"She was thrilled, it changed her whole day," said Nunes.
Whether it's reconnecting with old memories or just taking joy from the smiling performers displaying the talents they've worked years to master, Nunes is glad their audiences are enjoying the show.
"It doesn't really matter why they feel happy, just the fact that they feel connected is something the circus does," she said. "It's a massive community that loves to spread the circus love."
Throughout the show, the performers maintained a two-metre distance at all times. Staff members from the nursing home wore masks and other PPE while the residents wore cloth masks, except for the times they were sneaking bites of their cotton candy. All reminders there's a pandemic going on.
And though things are not usual for Nunes or the performers – they would normally be performing at events or hosting ticketed theatre shows – there's still the circus community.
"We all want to connect ... and the circus can do that today," she said.
As for what the future holds, Nunes said the circus isn't going anywhere.
"The circus has survived so much over hundreds of years. We will survive this too," she said.
Nunes launched The Circus Company eight and a half years ago, shortly after moving to Collingwood from BC where she was a paramedic. She's been a gymnast since the age of four, and has been an aerial silks performer for about 12 years.