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Shrine Circus coming to FF Wednesday [UPDATED]
Published 9:18am Monday, June 18, 2012 Updated 1:19pm Monday, June 18, 2012“There’s no circus like the Shrine Circus,” is the Fergus Falls Area Shrine Club’s slogan. With Carden Circus International, Daniel Raffo’s tigers and Fabio’s Extreme Riders, this year’s 58th annual Birak Shrine Circus will bring a variety of exciting acts to the fairgrounds in Fergus Falls to live up to its claim.
This year’s Birak Shrine Circus will be June 20 and 21 with two showings each day at 2 and 7 p.m. The circus has been a summer favorite for area residents for decades, said circus chairman Kirby Norman.
“The name of the game is tradition,” he said. “We have people who remember coming as a kid, now bringing their grandkids.”
The circus will, once again, feature the Carden family. George Carden is known for his elephants. One of his elephants, Bo, is known as the best performing male elephant in North America, said Norman.
Daniel Raffo will bring his Bengal tigers to the circus. Raffo began presenting animals when he was 13 years old.
Another popular act coming to the circus will be Fabio’s Extreme Riders, Norman said. Motorcycle riders will drive around in a giant, enclosed globe.
“This is the finest circus around here,” he said. “We’re known for people planning vacations around when the circus is in town.”
The circus usually draws a crowd of 4,500 to 5,000, and last year brought even more. Norman said he hopes to see a turnout like that again this year.
“It’s expensive, but we’ve been bringing the circus to town for 58 years,” Norman said. “It’s been a success every year we’ve had it.”
