Fire breathing, sword swallowing, acrobatics–it’s all happening Saturday at Ozzie’s Carnival of the Peculiar at the Coxwell Amphitheater.

“Every year, we always stick to the happy, upbeat event but this year we wanted to bring something a little more dangerous, a little more edgy to campus,” said Brock Ertel, an Event Planning Associate of the Student Union.

What does that mean?

Instead of listening to pop musicians and going to happy-go-lucky events, students attending the Carnival of the Peculiar can witness people breathe fire, perform extreme acrobatics and more.

The theme of the carnival is punk-rock circus and will consist of three acts, according to Ertel. While the three acts are taking place, students can enjoy food and drinks from local food trucks and browse tents and tables from local art vendors.

The opening act, Dr. Sinn’s Freak Island Musical Sideshow, consists of a performance group that strives to maintain a campy-cabaret vibe with multiple side-show acts–think Siamese twins, three-legged men, etc.

The second act, called Cloudbreak Circus, brings acrobatic yoga, silk dancing and aerial footwork. Ertel said this group will deliver a classic circus feel to the event.

The closing act, Hellzapoppin Circus Sideshow, will bring suspense and danger to the event, with fire-breathers, beds of nails, men who walk on broken glass barefoot and more.

The Carnival of the Peculiar is free for all UNF students. You must simply bring your Osprey1Card with you to the event to gain entrance. Each student may also bring with them one guest, who will also be given free entrance to the carnival.

The event takes place from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Coxwell Amphitheater this Saturday, April 1.

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