A unique, first of its kind Italian Water Circus is coming to Michigan for four days of shows between Aug. 1-4 out at Birchwood Mall in Fort Gratiot. Cirque Italia is described as an “innovative” production that takes place on a “35,000-gallon water stage” with artists and performers from around the world. Shows under the giant white and blue circus tent will start 7:30 p.m. Thursday; 7:30 p.m. Friday; 1:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

The Cirque Italia tent will be located in the parking lot of the mall near the corner of M-25 and Keewahdin. Cirque Italia is described as the country’s first traveling water circus. There are no live animal acts during the circus, but they say they could use puppets that look like animals. A press release from the group states that “all of our shows remain strictly animal free."