If you are trying to decide whether or not to take your kids to the circus this year, my suggestion is: Go! Hurry, hurry, step right up and get those tickets before “The Greatest Show on Earth” packs up and moves on.
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents Fully Charged, a high-energy, awe-inspiring circus in Kent and Everett this month. Ringmaster David Shipman dramatically begins the show by flying into the arena on a zip line. He presides over a cast of circus performers throughout a two-hour show that feels more like a party … a family party.
The feeling of excitement could be felt in the air as soon as we arrived at the ShoWare Arena in Kent for opening night. Children all around us were skipping and running with anticipation, while the adults all had smiles on their faces. Nothing brings out the kid in you like a circus!
My first memory of going to the circus involves being terrified of the clowns. Well, clowns have changed over the years. Anton the Power Prankster, in a black suit, jaunty red hat and Buddy Holly glasses, was a highlight of the show. His antics and talent in just about everything – juggling, tumbling, tap dancing and drumming – kept us amazed and laughing.
Mongolian strongman “Mr. Power” and the dazzling “Lady Lightning” performed unbelievable acts of human strength. This is what a circus is all about. All of the traditional circus performers and their stunts had us holding our breath and cheering wildly. Jugglers in red and white striped costumes, acrobats and high-wire cyclers kept my children wide-eyed.
One of our favorite acts was Cathy Carden and her amazing menagerie of animals. She had miniature horses performing, camels prancing and horses dancing. Eager dogs danced in a conga line and leaped in the air. (We’re lucky if we can get our dog to fetch a ball.) Another highlight was the knife-throwing act. Alfonso threw 12-inch-long flaming knives through the air at a woman, suspended and spinning on a wooden wheel. That’s not something you see every day.
Yet another exciting act included the Lopez family riding motorcycles around the inside of a 12-foot Globe of Steel. And then, as if it wasn’t dangerous enough, a woman stepped into the globe. As the motorcycles defied gravity and swirled around her, all of the jaws around me dropped. My daughter asked, “Are they being careful not to smash her?”
After seeing a skateboarding puppy, a dog jumping rope and acrobats performing stunts on a trampoline, your children may be inspired to get a little more creative in their free time, or work a bit harder in their gymnastics class. A moment of fun involving leaf blowers and toilet paper might inspire some ambitious Halloween pranks.
The circus showcases not only the highly unusual talents of some pretty special people, but it also celebrates the uniqueness in all of us. Before intermission, my son shouted, “That’s crazy! That was only the first part!” The circus band played loud, high-energy rhythms and filled the arena with music, as it did throughout the show. All three of my children, ages 5, 7, and 9, were thrilled to be there.
Be sure to arrive at the circus early for the “All Access Pre-Show,” which begins one hour before showtime. Dean Kelly, an orange-haired, black Converse wearing clown, hosts a dance party. Kids can try on sparkly circus costumes and meet the performers. We were able to see the strongman casually rolling bowling balls around his neck. You can even walk behind the curtain to see the animals up close. (If you are concerned about the elephants, Ringling Bros. clearly advertises their care and commitment; visit www.elephantcenter.com to learn more.) Bring your camera for the pre-show, but pictures are not allowed during the show.
My great-grandfather used to take his family to the circus. They saw the strongman, tight-rope walkers, jugglers and clowns, just as we did in 2013. The tradition of taking the family to the circus continues in our family; I hope it will in yours.
Photos courtesy Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey.
