PERU, Ind. (AP) — An amateur circus that has drawn young performers for five decades will begin charging them fees to participate because of declining donations from businesses and other benefactors.

The fees for Peru's Amateur Circus will be $30 per child. Families with more than one participant can receive discounts on additional children.

Hall says the fees are still a good value because of the skills participants gain.

Festival treasurer Kurt Krauskopf says the circus hasn't raised its prices in four years.

About 250 people ages 7 to 21 begin training in the spring for performances presented over eight days each summer. This year's circus is scheduled to run from July 14 to July 21.