The Gym Dandies

Hey Everyone,

On April 14th, 2012 the Gym Dandies will be riding down Constitution Ave. This will be the most important and largest parade in the history of this event, the 100th anniversary celebration and probably the largest parade in DC history. We have to look especially sharp for this nationally significant event.

It is very import that all participants attend all formation practices. All riders have specific positions in our formation. If one participant does not show for a practice this throws off the formation.

I know I can count on you to fulfill your commitment and responsibility to attend all mandatory formation practice sessions.

There are a few beginner level Gym Dandies who are not yet self-mounting and riding the unicycle unassisted. It is especially important for these participants to attend extra practices during the week and/or practice everyday at home.

Thank you in advance for your help in making this event a big success.

Best,
Jon Cahill

Formation Practice Schedule

Place: Wentworth Intermediate School
Time: 6:45 AM to 8:00 AM (Be sure to arrive on time for practice)
Dates: Saturdays
March 3, 10, 17, 31, and April 7, 2012

Sunday, March 25:
Manchester St. Patrick’s Day Parade (Our dress rehearsal and a mandatory event)
7: 15 AM Meet at WIS
4:00 PM return time at WIS
More Details to follow as we approach the Manchester Parade date

The Gym Dandies are scheduled to perform in April, 2012 at the 100^th Anniversary of the National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade. Parents can learn more and get forms for registering on our forms page.

Independence Day celebrations are known for fireworks, parades and cookouts. Where better to celebrate the 235th anniversary of our country's independence but in the cradle of liberty, Philadelphia. more info...

Check out these pictures from Claudia Murray of the Philadelphia 4th of July Parade.

The 30th Annual Community Performance was a tremendous success. There was a total of over 1400 attendees for Thursday and Saturday's performance. Special recognition was given for the four graduating seniors and a special award was given to celebrate Jon's 30th Anniversary as the director of Gym Dandies. Pictures are available for Thursday's performance thanks to Claudia Murray.

More pictures from 30th Annual Community Performance the can be found here and here.

ATTN:The Gym Dandies are now on Facebook! Facebook users can find additional pictures (and videos) on the Official Gym Dandies Facebook Page.

25^th Anniversary Community Performances

The Gym Dandies would like to thank the community for all of their support in celebrating our 25^th Anniversary!  This milestone event was featured in the new Scarborough High School Alumni Gymnasium with two performances on April 6 and 7, 2006.  Director Jon Cahill was honored by the attendance of several original 1981 Gym Dandy alumni including his son, Edwin.  They proved to everyone that once "you're a Gym Dandy, you're always a Gym Dandy" showcasing some of their own clowning, juggling, and unicycling!  But it was the more than 220 children, currently enrolled in the program, who stole the show!  Perseverance is the cornerstone of this unique program.  The circus arts skills are physically challenging and require many hours of practice.  The three graduating seniors highlighted many other benefits that they experienced through the Gym Dandies program - performance skills, teamwork, self-control, and confidence-building to name a few.  The program is unusual because it teaches youngsters about teamwork, encourages physical fitness, and healthy competition.  Joining the Gym Dandies teaches more than just learning to juggle and unicycle - it teaches the importance of commitment and encouragement.  The Gym Dandies program dedicates itself to encouraging today's children and tomorrow's adults with a simple message, "Practice Makes Everything Possible!"

25^th Anniversary Community Performance Press Release

Gym Dandies Win Specialty Unit Competition!

Fifty-five Gym Dandies make the long trip to the mountains of West Virginia for one of the largest parades in the United States. More than one hundred entries from fourteen states, Canada, and South America were featured in the this event. The Gym Dandies wowed the 50,000 spectators crowded along the two mile parade route in Buckhannon, WV with forty-four Giraffe unicycles, three 36" wheel unicycles, and seven 20" unicycles. WVSF Parade organizers made a considerable contribution to the Gym Dandies to help with trip costs for this event.

2008 National Cherry Blossom Festival Parade

"The Gym Dandies" Children's Circus of Scarborough Schools represented the Scarborough community and the State of Maine in the Parade of the National Cherry Blossom Festival in Washington, D.C. on April 12, 2008.  Sixty Gym Dandies rode unicycles in various formations as they performed before a crowd of 400,000 spectators.  Forty-eight Gym Dandies performed atop 6-foot high Giraffe unicycles while younger members rode smaller 20" unicycles.  This event is the largest and most prestigious parade held in Washington, D.C. each year and is the largest event of the three-week festival.  The parade runs for more than one mile down Constitution Avenue right in front of the White House.  Bands and performing groups from across the nation are selected each year for this nationally significant event based on recommendations and audition videos.

2006 National Independence Day Parade

“The Gym Dandies” Children's Circus once again proudly represented the State of Maine in the National Independence Day Parade in Washington, DC on July 4, 2006.

The Gym Dandies wowed the thousands of spectators that lined Elm Street to watch the annual Manchester, New Hampshire Saint Patrick's Parade on Sunday, March 19, 2006.  It was great to see so many new performance level Gym Dandies on giraffe unicycles making their parade debuts.  The 55 giraffe riders equaled our recent showing in New York City.  Our Gym Dandies are the best!

The "Amazing" Gym Dandies gave the performance of their lifetime during the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade 2005 in New York City.  The Gym Dandies were selected from hundreds of applicants from around the world for this nationally significant event.  "The Gym Dandies" Children's Circus is the only performing group nationally or internationally that can field sixty, six-foot unicycles in one routine.

The Gym Dandies are shown after the "Big Bird" balloon and the "Sesame Street" float. (AP Photo)

During their last week of early morning practice, WCSH Channel 6 and WMTW Channel 8 provided some great coverage.  If you missed the coverage, you can view it by clicking here.  If the video does not play for you, you will most likely need to download the DivX Codec here. 

November 14 Dress Rehearsal Practice

Click here for more photos...