The Balloon Brigade Blog

Source for Party Tips, Event Ideas & Family Fun

Welcome to the official blog of The Balloon Brigade, your go-to event entertainment company in Omaha, Nebraska! Whether you're planning a birthday party, school event, corporate gathering, or city festival, our blog is packed with tips, ideas, and inspiration to make your next event unforgettable.

We share everything from creative party planning tips and balloon décor ideas to behind-the-scenes stories and seasonal event inspiration. Our goal? Help families and event planners in the Omaha area throw fun, stress-free, and memorable celebrations.

A nine-year old juggler in green suit

Passing the Torch...er, Glow-in-the-Dark Club in the Old Market!

April 06, 20252 min read

That’s where it all started for me, Arthur—29 years ago, right in the heart of Omaha’s Old Market.

Back then, I stood on a corner near Howard Street with nothing but a set of juggling torches, a few one-liners, and a dream. I wasn’t “The Amazing Arthur” yet. I was just a street performer trying to stop foot traffic long enough to get a few laughs and maybe a few bucks tossed into a hat. No agent. No strategy. Just fire, gravity, and a whole lot of nerve.

But show after show, I handed out business cards. People talked. Gigs started coming in. Little by little, a real career began to take shape—not in the spotlight, but in the streets of Omaha. The Old Market was my first stage. It taught me how to work a crowd, how to hold attention, and how to keep going even when nobody stopped to watch.

A 9-year old juggler in glow in the dark torch wearing green suit

Nearly three decades later, I’m a professional speaker, comedian, magician, mentalist, and hypnotist, performing across the country. But recently, something full-circle happened that hit me in the heart.

My nine-year-old son Jack took his place on that very same corner in the Old Market—juggling, smiling, and soaking in the energy of the Omaha crowd.

No torches for him, though. Fire’s no longer allowed (and just for the record—I had nothing to do with that decision. I swear). These days, it’s glow-in-the-dark juggling clubs: safer, sure, but just as dazzling. Still, watching him perform on the same street where I once stood was a moment I’ll never forget. It felt like I had literally passed the torch... even if it’s now made of LED plastic.

Omaha gave me a stage when I had none. The Old Market gave me an audience when I was just getting started. And now it’s giving that same spark to the next generation.

Check out this video of Jack juggling on that same iconic Omaha street corner—the beginning of a new chapter, lit not by fire, but by legacy.
Click Here!

Contact Us:
https://theballoonbrigade.com/contact-us

Omaha Old Marketstreet performing OmahaThe Amazing Arthurglow-in-the-dark jugglinglegacy performancefamily entertainment Omahafather-son jugglingJack juggling clubsOld Market entertainmentlive street show Omahalocal performers Omahagenerational performers
blog author image

The Balloon Brigade

The Balloon Brigade provides exciting, family-friendly entertainment with a variety of engaging activities, including balloon twisting, face painting, airbrush tattoos, caricatures, magic shows, stilt walking, and superhero appearances like Wonder Woman. Perfect for birthdays, corporate events, and community gatherings, their services add fun, color, and joy to any event.

Back to Blog

Omaha Family Entertainment

Let's Connect

(402) 597-2579

Omaha, Nebraska

Visit our Website

Follow Us

Copyright The Balloon Brigade 2025 - All Rights Reserved