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The big top was back in town Saturday for the second day of Circus Square Park’s grand opening - but it wasn’t your typical circus.

Performers affiliated with circus production companies Nimble Arts and The Colorful Hat performed on ropes and a trapeze and juggled, and the big tent at the park was packed as people lined up to get a good view of the Cirque De Soleil-style show.

It’s great to perform when the audience is completely surrounding, said Elsie Smith, co-owner of the New England Center for Circus Arts, where many of the performers trained.

“No matter where the performer looks, they can see someone’s face,” she said.

It was great to see the crowd react when one of the performer’s tricks included quickly moving toward the ground, Smith said.

Smith performed at Cirque De Soleil before opening the center with her twin sister. They have been teaching for nine years.

“This is something you have to continue to work at a lot. Every time you go away, you have to work hard to build up to where you were before,” she said.

Smith said she also teaches a lot of protection techniques to keep the performers from being injured.

Tony Duncan, who was a juggling champion in 1994, said he has been juggling for about 30 years. Part of his act included juggling a machete, a burning torch and a kitchen knife - the latter with cheese on the end, which he would eat while juggling. The entire act was performed while standing on a strap being held in the air by six volunteers.

Joshua Thompson of Bowling Green said it was a pretty impressive show.

“My daughter really liked the juggler,” he said. “She just wanted to sit on my shoulders.”

In addition to the show, the park and its fanciful fountains were also a draw, Thompson said.

“This is something I can bring her to again,” he said. “There aren’t a lot of things like this around here.”