CIRCUS VARGAS 2010 (SAN DIEGO.COM)

Circus Vargas: Family entertainment.
San Diego Family and ChildrenCircus Vargas: Kids Welcome

Read these tips getting the most out of a big top adventure

By Jolene KearnsSan Diego.com

This year, with it’s 41st season is under way, California-based Circus Vargas delivers once again on its promise to be fun and exciting family entertainment. With a wide variety of acts, lights and modern music, children won’t have time to get bored or restless. Kids will inevitably find their favorite recurring entertainer in Matty the Clown, who moves the show along with his whistle, energy and kooky humor. The only sad point of the day might be if your kids don’t get picked in one of his audience participation bits. If you're taking the kids to the circus as part of the entertainment budget this spring, check out these tips before going:
Do Celebrate. If you can come on a birthday, the circus will move the spotlight to your kid and wish them a happy day under their brand-new Big Top. Go to bookstores and libraries for books about the circus to gear kids up for the experience. Try checking out Last Night I Dreamed a Circus by Maya Gottfried, or a classic like If I Ran the Circus by Dr. Seuss.
Do Arrive Early. About 20 minutes before showtime Circus Vargas opens the ring for kids to come and try out various tricks, like feather balancing and hula hoops.
Don’t Take Pictures. At least not during the show. You don’t want to be the one parent causing one of the fantastic Tabares trapeze artists to fall. Save family shots for outside the tent after the show when cast members graciously wait to pose with kids.
Do Eat Before Going. Hot dogs are tempting, but if you eat a well-balanced meal before going, kids will fair better when you spring for that extra-special sugary treat of cotton candy later on.
Do Bring Your Clown Noses. Have fun and be a kid again. Now is the time for children to see parents being silly, shouting out during audience participation times and just being visibly jaw- droppingly amazed. Kids take their cues from you, so if you don’t have your own nose, spring for the dollar ones on sale outside the Big Top.
Do Try To Go in the Evening. Anytime is good for the circus, but kids are often more in a “watching” mode toward the end of the day when they have gotten their jitters out.
Do Reassure. Kids will surely be entertained, but some sensitive ones worry during more high-flying dangerous acts like Leo Garcia’s "Wheel of Destiny." Talk about things before going. Remind them that these are professionals who have safe equipment and truly know what they are doing.
Don’t Cancel Your Health Insurance. Though you can say, “Don’t try this at home,” you can be sure they will. Your couch will inevitably turn into a miniature replica of the Marinelli’s trampoline. Instead of risking injury, take control and put on your own family circus using hula hoops for your main big top ring. Invite friends and have siblings perform certain roles like the clown, the announcer, the hula hoop lady, special dances, and somersaults for their family “acts.” For more ideas, go to perpetualpreschool.com, and do a search for “circus.”

Circus Vargas is in San Diego through Febraury 15; National City Febraury 18-22; El Cajon February 25-March 8; Vista March 11-15; Mira Mesa 18-22; and Temecula March 25-29.