Juggling Josh -- Josh Casey's career is up in the air, and he's loving every minute of it

Pressure? You think juggling three batons, flames ablazin', while jumping on a giant pogo stick -- wearing highly flammable polyester, nonetheless -- with hundreds of people watching you at the Alaska State Fair is pressure?

For Josh Casey, the pressure doesn't even begin to match that of a magic show he performed 17 years ago.

That magic show -- for his sister's birthday -- launched a career that is still up in the air. Getting a reaction out of the crowd that day was pressure.

"When I was a kid, I always thought tricks were so cool, and then I got a magic kit and really got into it," Casey said. "When I was 10, I did my first performance for my sister's birthday. That launched it all," he added with his signature wide grin and chuckle.

Two years later, he added juggling to his repertoire and has never looked back. He has made a career out of juggling bowling pins, balls and flaming batons. He also has made a career out of comedy, and often, those two things don't mix as easily as Casey makes it look during his performances at the Alaska State Fair.

"It's tough to do comedy, but still do technical, professional-quality juggling at the same time," Casey said. "When you go to Vegas, you see a comedy show, or you'll see a show of real technical juggling. Rarely do you get both at the same show."

Because he is able to bring the audience into his shows, provide a family-fun atmosphere and make people laugh, Casey has become one of the country's top juggling performers. He has played the Alaska State Fair three times, as well as numerous other fairs and festivals. He travels around the country, playing at colleges, amusements parks and corporate events as well.

"If you're good, there's work out there, but you have to be willing to travel. For me, that's part of the fun," Casey said.

Casey is based in Ann Arbor, Mich., but work takes him around the country. His schedule is as varied as his routine.

Through today, he is playing at the Alaska State Fair for passers-by, relying on tips -- the Alaska State Fair doesn't pay Casey for his performances -- to pay his way. In November, in contrast, he'll be playing in a small theater in Times Square in New York City. Picking his favorite "style" and venue isn't easy for Casey.

"I really like the street performances because the only reason people stay is because they want to. They aren't there because that is what is next on their schedule, like it is at some corporate events," Casey said. "And then you ask them to pay you what they want to. Imagine that! Like if you went to a movie and after it was over, you decided how much it was worth to you. Is it worth a buck or five bucks? That's what street performing is like. It's so cool that people decided what to pay you after your done. There's a certain rawness to street performing."

From the Big Apple to the Last Frontier, Casey enjoys every one of his performances -- but not as much as the audience.

"He is awesome!" said 12-year-old Brittany Griem of Eagle River, after watching one of Casey's performances last weekend. "That is so cool. I wish I could juggle like he does."

But Casey isn't just a hit with the younger set. His appeal knows no age limit.

"Pretty darn good," Thom Yancey, a senior citizen, said. "The fair needs more of things like this show. It's something everyone likes and doesn't have to pay an arm and a leg for. His act is like I remember the county fairs when I was growing up. The fairs were more fun then. You can tell he is having fun up there."

Casey is having fun while performing in Alaska. This is his third year here, and he said he enjoys every trip.

"You know, I do hundreds of shows around the country every year, but I think I have the most fun here," Casey said. "The people here are really serious about the performance -- they really get into it. That makes it fun for me, too."

He first came to the Alaska State Fair three years ago as a working vacation. He wanted to see the state, so he decided to work the fair, and a fair in Ninilchik, while camping and visiting. The second year, he decided to come back because of the fun he had. Even though he enjoys Alaska, coming to the fairs and working for tips is a risky proposition.

"I could do a regular gig and know what I'm going to get paid ahead of time and have everything lined up," he said. "Coming up here, if it rains the whole time and the crowd doesn't show up, I won't make money. But I like coming up here."

The secret to his success is hard work. You can't just throw three flaming batons in the air, jump up and down on a pogo stick a few times and call yourself a juggler. Actually, you better call the fire department, because chances are you will have lit the curtains on fire at that point.

Casey works at all facets of his routine -- from the juggling to the comedy. Being a full-time performer is his career, and he must also take care of the business end of things as well.

"I get bored really easy, and this is a perfect career choice for me," Casey said. "It's tough because there are so many things to concentrate on, but I like being able to practice my juggling and then write some jokes and then work on the business if I need to. I like the variety."

And he hasn't burned down anything yet, which is simply an added bonus.