Circus ready to ‘wow’
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – Comical canines, clown shenanigans, aerial artistry and exotic white tigers will highlight this year’s Anah Temple Shrine Circus, which will kick off its six-show run tomorrow night at The Forum in Presque Isle.
THE ANAH TEMPLE SHRINE CIRCUS
Will kick off its six-show run Thursday night at The Forum in Presque Isle. This year’s circus will feature exotic white tigers, a trapeze and other aerial acts, comical canines and the Shrine Clowns. The Shrine Clowns, pictured here, amuse children of all ages and sign thousands of autographs each year. Last year’s event was attended by about 14,000 people.
“This is going to be a great family show,” said Jim Dwyer, one of the assistant circus chairmen for the Anah Shriners. “We have large animals with the tigers, dogs, the Shrine Clowns, a flying act … everything you’d hope to see at a circus. It’s an excellent circus providing great family entertainment.”
The circus is always well attended when it stops in the Star City.
“Last year with the six shows, we had about 14,000 people come to the circus,” said Dwyer, noting that proceeds benefit the Anah Temple. “The money allows us to run our organization so that we can do other things to raise money for hospitals.”
The Anah Temple has once again contracted with the Royal Hanneford Circus of Sarasota, Fla., a professional touring circus.
This year’s circus production features wild animal trainer Miss Vicenta Pages and her Terrific Tigers, a beautiful and breathtaking aerial extravaganza featuring Miss Chrystie, Hanneford Circus’ Aerial Angels; Crina and Martine, who will provide a dynamic display of manipulation proving that the hand is quicker than the eye; Miss Joanne’s Performing Canines, Miss Ariana will take her hula hoop skills to the next dimension, Ms. Meda will showcase her aerial agility, and the Flying Cortes Family will take to the air on the flying trapeze as Alex Cortes will perform a triple summersault.
In addition, Miss Vicenta will wow the audience as she will perform aerial artistry on the rings, and the Alvarez Family will make their premier performance demonstrating their incredible dexterity, skill and agility on the teeter board.
Dwyer reminds circus-goers that due to the unpredictable and hazardous nature of circus performing acts, the program is subject to change.
Volunteers have been working hard for the last six months preparing for the arrival of the Shrine Circus.
“It takes about 100 volunteers to put each show on,” Dwyer said. “We have a parking crew, a crew that works on the floor helping ushering people to seats, we have a crew that makes cotton candy, a crew that makes snowcones, taking tickets, selling programs, the lighting crew and all of the Shrine Clowns are volunteers.
“The Aroostook County Shrine Club could not do this without the help of the Shriner ladies,” he said. “They’re part of the volunteers and we just couldn’t do it without them.”
Senior citizen tickets for Thursday’s show will be half price and are sponsored by the Aroostook Area Agency on Aging and the Aroostook Shrine Club.
Shows will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 6, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Friday, May 7 and 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, May 8. Advance tickets are $4 for children and $8 for adults, and $5 for children and $10 for adults at the door. Tickets are available at The Forum, Aroostook Centre Mall, Netherlands Office Products, Ray’s Corner Variety, Bradley’s Citgo and Industrial Street One Stop in Presque Isle, Clukey’s Auto Supply in Presque Isle, Caribou and Houlton, Aroostook County Subways and Burger King restaurants, York’s Bookstore in Houlton, Ashland One Stop, Mars Hill Pharmacy, PPJS Thriftway in Bridgewater, and from any Shriner.
