John Moss, ringmaster of the Kelly Miller Circus, watches as workers raise the big top Friday morning at the Baxter County Fairgrounds' rodeo grounds. The circus continues today with shows at 11a.m., 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. (Bulletin Photo by Kevin Pieper)Elephants, ponies and trapeze artists have transformed the Baxter County Fairgrounds into a circus — literally.The Shrine Circus will be at the fairgrounds' rodeo grounds with performances at 11 a.m., 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. today. Cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children.The Twin Lakes Shrine Club, which sponsors the circus, uses the proceeds to assist 22 area children who are receiving medical treatment at a Shriners Hospital, Shrine Club members said."There's a lot of kids' activities," said John Kennedy of Cotter, Twin Lakes Shrine Club president and circus chairman.
A camel chews grass Friday morning at the Kelly Miller Circus at the Baxter County Fairgrounds' rodeo grounds. (Bulletin Photo by Kevin Pieper)The circus will have five shows featuring elephants, tigers, camels, ponies and dogs, said John Moss, ringmaster of the Kelly Miller Circus from Hugo, Okla. This year, the circus has performers from Australia, Argentina, Peru, Mexico and the United States, he said. One special feature is a 24-minute segment on a '50s theme, Moss said. The circus started its circuit in Brownsville, Texas, and will be in Boston by late June, Moss said. In September, the circus will be in Chicago before ending the season back in Oklahoma, he said.The circus has been in business for more than 70 years. Its current proprietor is John Ringling North II, the great-nephew of one of the five original Ringling brothers who founded the Ringling Brothers Circus, Moss said.
Workers with Kelly Miller Circus raise the big top Friday morning at the Baxter County Fairgrounds' rodeo grounds. The circus continues today with shows at 11a.m., 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. (Bulletin Photo by Kevin Pieper)This is the 19th year the Twin Lakes Shrine Club has sponsored the circus, said Ray Coahran of Midway, who has been a Shrine Club member for 46 years.Coahran said a circus is one event that pleases a variety of ages, from children to grandparents.The proceeds from the circus are used to provide transportation for area children and their families from the St. Louis Shriners Hospital, Kennedy said.As for helping children receive the medical treatment they need, Coahran said "it feels good.""It's down in here," he said, patting his heart.
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