The Russian American Kids Circus paid a visit to Scarborough High School’s Winslow Homer Auditorium this week.

Alex Berenchtein, a former star of the renowned Moscow Circus, formed the circus in 1994 in New York City. Along with his wife, Regina, and his mother-in-law Olga Partigul, Berenchtein opened the New Way Circus Center. The Russian American Kids Circus is made up of the center’s most advanced students.

The performers range from ages six to 18, and they play over 275 shows around the country every year, dazzling audiences with acrobatic stunts, juggling, unicycling and more. Over the years, kids from the circus have appeared on “The Cosby Show,” “Good Morning America,” MTV, and at Walt Disney World.

The performances were a benefit for the Scarborough 350th Celebration and Mainely Character, a scholarship fund that awards annual college scholarships to Maine students.

The circus will have one final performance in town on Thursday, Feb. 23 at 1:30 p.m.

Staff photos by Rich Obrey