On April 4, 2025, the Clark Gymnasium filled with people from diverse backgrounds, states and even countries — all brought together by the annual RIT Spring Juggle-In. This April marked the 45th anniversary of the festival, which celebrates juggling, acrobatics, balancing acts and more.
“The event itself is just structured to bring jugglers together,” said Rocco Menna, a second-year communication student and the president of the RIT Juggling Club. He described the event’s festivities, including vendors, a raffle, technique workshops and shows where jugglers could display their abilities.
Menna explained how the event drew people from all around the world, even bringing in famous attendees within the juggling community. Two examples of this were Spencer Androli — who has earned multiple awards and records — and Anthony Mills, whose father — Steven Mills — invented a juggling pattern called Mills Mess. However, Menna stated, “The northeast is probably where most people come from because it’s a close drive or train ride.”
Michael Johns, a fourth-year fine art photography student, had been looking forward to the event mostly because of the potential to meet experienced jugglers and attend the workshops. Johns explained that he enjoys participating in the club and that with its help, juggling has become easier over time.
“I just started last semester,” Johns clarified. “Wish I’d gotten to [juggling club] sooner. It’s so cool.”
While some attend the RIT Juggle-In to increase their juggling experience, Marshall Savitt, a communication alumnus, also used it as a chance to test out a fancy new set of Ignis Pixel clubs — a special brand set with tiny lights.
Savitt explained, “Hopefully, when someone juggles these, the Bills logo will become visible in the air from some angle.”
While Savitt was certainly not the only alumnus in attendance, many of the participants came from outside the college. However, many mentioned attending the festival for years, including Menna, who stated his parents had brought him from very early on in his childhood.
“I’ve been attending this event for as long as I can remember,” Menna said. He described how his parents had a lot of photos and videos of him juggling — dating back to when he was a toddler — and how over time, it became an increasingly important aspect of his life.
Additionally, becoming club president had been very special for Menna, as he could be a part of the inner workings of something that had been a piece of his life for such a long time.
“My dad reminded me last week before the event that I told him in high school that I was going to be president one day, and I was going to be running the convention. And it’s like a really cool moment to actually do that. Like, I kinda manifested that and now I’m doing it. It means a lot,” he stated.
Attendees appeared to have a positive time at the convention, laughing together, teaming up to learn new tricks and observing others display new tools and talents. New friends were found, and comrades from earlier years reunited. With any luck, the RIT Spring Juggle-In will continue to connect people long beyond its 45th anniversary.
