Celebrating its 39th year, the St Petersburg Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends—otherwise known as the Quakers—will play host to its annual Circus McGurkis at St. Petersburg’s Lake Vista Park Sunday Oct. 30, from 9-4 p.m.
Premiering in 1971, Circus McGurkis, also known as the “People’s Fair,” is the result of a dedicated group of peace activists that came together during the Vietnam War to promote the Quaker principal that everyone can share and express personal “dignity and worth” through the power of love and nonviolence.
“A basic tenant of Quaker teachings is the belief that God is in everyone—and we mean everyone, including LGBT people,” says co-clerk and vendor coordinator Greg Stemm.
For many years the festival was coordinated by local bisexual activist and Quaker Clerk, Christine O’Brien, who passed away in November 2007. That’s when Stemm emerged as a leading organizer of the event.
“While we officially call the event ‘A People’s Fair,’ it is often referred to as a ‘Hippie Fair,’ which most people seem to understand,” says Stemm.
Circus McGurkis is an “education celebration in the Quaker tradition,” and celebrates that idea that unity in the community coupled with creativity and activism, can make the community a more beautiful, loving and just place to live in.
This year’s day-long celebration features 150 vendors including arts, crafts, social action groups, churches, community organizations, and schools groups. Live entertainment will include acoustic folk musicians, belly dancers and free yoga demonstrations.
Circus McGurkis is free and organizers anticipate 5,000 to 8,000 people. Lake Vista Park is at the intersection of 16th Street South and 62nd Avenue South.
