Under the big top

Shriners bring in circus goers’ favorite acts

By Tom Hintgen (Contact) | The Daily Journal

Published Friday, July 18, 2008

Busloads of kids from throughout Otter Tail County and as far away as Wadena, Wheaton and Morris will arrive for the 54th Birak Shrine Circus that will have performances at 2 and 7 p.m. on both Wednesday, July 23, and Thursday, July 24 at the fairgrounds ice arena in Fergus Falls.

“It’s a win-win situation by holding the circus indoors,” said Allen Haiby, president of the Fergus Falls Birak Shrine Club. “We don’t have to worry about rain and we won’t have the discomfort of mosquitoes.”

Tickets are on sale in area towns, and buses will make stops in those communities to transport kids to the circus. Masons members have been busy helping sell tickets in the various communities.

“We’ve had 10 to 15 busloads per year transport the kids to the circus,” Haiby said. “We want to make this a pleasant experience for young and old alike.”

Each of the buses will have adult chaperones.

As in bygone years, main attractions at this year’s circus will again be the elephants, clowns, and other acts. And, as in prior years, kids will be able to receive elephant rides during the intermissions.

“We as Shriners are part of the Masons, the backbone of every Shrine club,” Haiby said. “Our motto is Having Fun with Kids.”

Shriners use proceeds from various events to provide free orthopedic and burn care at various hospitals from throughout the United States. As for the circus, Shriners, auxiliary members and Masons all do their part to make the events an annual success.

The Shriners have been under contract with George Carden Circus International for close to 45 years.

“They do a wonderful job in providing quality entertainment for families,” Haiby said.

All across the nation, when it comes to the circus, people look forward to tigers and lions, elephants, monkeys, dogs, clowns, aerialists, motorcycles and more.

George Carden Circus travels over 40,000 miles each year in the United States and Canada. The season lasts 42 weeks, during which time the circus has two units on the road. They pride themselves in offering what they term as “the finest in family entertainment.”

Individual performances grab audience attention:

Carden Circus International promises to keep the attention of Fergus Falls audiences during the upcoming circus performances at 2 and 7 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday, July 23-24.

One example is the upcoming performance of the Rumanian Troupe that will demonstrate its uncanny ability of hand-to-hand acrobatics. Other examples are the animal trainers who courageously cue the animals to action. The animals are untamed, untethered and utterly unpredictable.

Kids keep their eyes glued on jugglers and those performing with hula hoops.

Circus coordinators are especially proud of what’s billed as “a paramount parade of powerful pachyderms that perform with picturesque pyramids with a flair. See magnificent mammals of monumental maneuvering in the ring.”

There’s plenty of time to relax and refresh — during the intermission. People take the time to grab a snack and check out the circus souvenirs. The overall goal is for everyone to enjoy the circus, interspersed with laughter and excitement.

About Carden Circus:

George Carden Circus International of Springfield, Mo., is owned and produced by George Carden. He is the fifth generation in show business and has been in the circus business all of his life.

Carden has acquired knowledge of all aspects of the circus business. He knows the details about circus lighting, special effects and production stages.

“I’ve acquired this knowledge from determination and hard work,” he said.

His father, Larry Carden, owned a circus and George was able to acquire first-hand knowledge of all aspects of the operation. He’s an astute concession manager, has worked a cat act, presented camels and elephants, oversees the bleacher operation, can shift the gears of an 18-wheeler and knows the marketing side of the business.

George hit the road with his own circus in 1981 and then purchased his father’s circus. Over the years he’s integrated the two into a successful business.