“I honestly can’t believe no one was going to stop me,” Juggler Richard Holmgren said as he put down his machetes, to the relief of many parents. Those blades were inches from an audience volunteer who was likely thinking I didn’t volunteer for this.

Once, he swapped his machetes for soft juggling balls, the Salina performer said the most dangerous part of this trick was the carbohydrates in the Twinkie. That didn’t seem to faze the young girl. 

The crowd chanted “eat it” each time the Twinkie went whizzing by the girl’s face. By the end of the trick, it was hard to believe the girl could even breathe, considering she had a whole Twinkie smashed into her mouth. 

This was just a few minutes of a show that offered non-stop jokes and juggling. Richard’s performance was part of the library’s Summerfest 2009 Wednesday Blockbuster series. 

Richard began performing in 1994. He has entertained thousands of people for a variety of functions, from street festivals to professional basketball half-time shows to corporate events.

When not performing, Richard enjoys playing basketball, golfing and perfecting his juggling skills. Read more about him at his website.

Bring your family to other live performances held each Wednesday in July. Next up! Dino O’Dell, 9:30-10:30am and 11am-12pm, Wednesay, July 1.