A magician, a mime, a fire eater, a juggler, a stilt walker and a clown - sounds like the ultimate circus, right? Wrong.

It's not a circus at all, but the skills of a single entertainer.

There's no limit to what Kid Davie can do, and he's not telling what's in store with his Saturday and Sunday performances at the Lakeside Music and Arts Festival.

"There will be surprises the audience has never seen before," he said in a phone interview. "It'll be a variety show of entertainment."

Kid Davie, born Bruce Davis Jr., has been performing and learning new skills for 25 years and doesn't plan to quit as he continues to add to the numerous tricks up his sleeve.

He received his first fame for a trick when he was only 4 months old. Davis can be seen pictured in a 1955 newspaper article (reproduced on his Web site) as his father, Bruce Davis Sr., balances Kid upright in one hand.

"At the time, it was supposed to be a record" of the youngest person standing, he said. He added the record probably doesn't hold today.

"I'm thankful that he did that," he said of his father. "Now, I have good balance."

Davis needs good balance to keep atop the stilts he walks on as part of his entertainment. He also dresses up as strolling comedy characters and can catch arrows in midflight in his bare hands.

Pantomime is what initially sparked Davis' interest. He began miming at business trade shows, acting more as a motionless living statue than a lively mime.

"I was always fascinated by Marcel Marceau," he said, "but trying to make a living as strictly a mime is very difficult."

So he picked up one trick and then another and another. He now tours nationwide entertaining audiences of all ages. He's also appeared on several television shows, including "The Late Show" with David Letterman.

Davis said he is looking forward to performing for his first time in Decatur.

"My favorite skill is helping people to laugh," he said.

"Most people say 'make' people laugh. I'm a firm believer you can't do that. People don't know they want to laugh. They need help to laugh, and I'm the guy to help."

WHO: Kid Davie.

WHEN: 11 a.m. and 12:40 p.m. Saturday; noon Sunday.

WHERE: Beach House Stage, Lake Decatur.

COST: Free.

ON THE WEB: www.kiddavie.com.

Alicia Spates can be reached at aspates@herald-review.com or 421-6986.