By Kim Dunbar

Worcester winters can be a little depressing. Jon Creighton learned that two years ago when he moved to the city from Richmond, VA. Down on his new town, Creighton turned to a childhood memory for some comfort: juggling.

“I was trying to find a way to cheer myself up, so I got out some old juggling stuff that I had from when I was a kid, and went to my backyard to re-learn a few tricks,” said Creighton, founder of Juggle Worcester.

Creighton started practicing in a few parks around town but felt awkward juggling solo. After reaching out through the internet for some company, he gathered enough interest to organize the first Juggle Worcester meeting last July.

Creighton calls Juggle Worcester a casual group, with no paperwork or membership requirements.

“It’s an all-inclusive, relaxed, fun, social, traffic-stopping convergence of jugglers and various performing artists,” he said. “Our goal is to expose people to the unexpected and offer alternatives to traditional sports. We attempt to promote positive change by creating an outlet for expression for the creative minority.”

Last summer, with the help of Tony Hoang (who now performs in Barnum & Bailey’s circus), Creighton was able to spread the word about Juggle Worcester. The two men soon began to amass quite a following, and through networking, landed a few gigs including performing at Worcester’s stART on the Street festival, the Main South Celebration in Crystal Park, and Shirley’s Annual Day of Play.

Juggle Worcester is ready to kick off its second season of fun. Practices ~ which are held at 1 p.m. on Sundays in Elm Park across from Price Chopper ~ allow participants to practice skills while helping each other learn and improve.

“We challenge ourselves to grow as artists, and we challenge others to try something new,” Creighton said. “We chat, we juggle, and we do our thing. We are willing to teach anyone who wants to learn.”

Juggle Worcester accepts people of all ages, skill levels and talents. However, it’s BYOB: Bring Your Own Balls. Creighton recommends hacky sacks, rolled up socks or tennis balls.

“I hope that Juggle Worcester will continue to grow and that we end up with more regular members this year,” he said.

Creighton also hopes to find an indoor space where the group can practice on rainy days and through the winter months. It would sure help brighten those depressing winter days.

For more information, visit www.juggleworcester.com or email juggleworcester@gmail.com