Kent family circus featured at Beech Bend
By NATALIE JORDAN, The Daily News, Thursday, July 15, 2010
Victor Kent allowed fire to dance across his tongue before swallowing it.
“I love Kentucky, and I have proof - 180 proof,” he said before using an alcohol-based agent to blow on the fire, making a blaze extend outward.
The Kent Family Magic Circus had been made up of Kent and six of his children providing a variety of trickery and illusions to keep those under the Magnolia shelter, one of Beech Bend Amusement Park’s original structures, entertained. And this year, the traveling seven have turned into the traveling nine as a son and the mom were added to the show.
Titus Kent, 12, who is confined to a wheelchair, and Mami, Victor’s wife, are now part of the traveling show - full of music, magic, song, stunts, escapes, bullwhips and fire juggling on a unicycle.
Victor Kent said that in addition to Mami’s juggling act, she will do a seance trick where she will call a ghost, which he said is very 1930s-1940s.
“It’s not a lot. It’s not meant to be a lot,” he said of the additions. “We decided to add them because they wanted to be part of the traveling family show.
“And people are excited about the new additions.”
And next year, the Kent family will add their dog, Belle, to the roster, he said.
“Our goal is to entertain,” he said. “Each show has different aspects to it, where 90 percent will be recognizable, but 10 percent will be new. It’s not just a magic show. It’s a Vaudeville show, it’s a circus. We’ve got singing and dancing, juggling and fire eating, and there is always that element of danger.”
Originally from Oroville, Calif., the family has traveled all over sharing their magical talents - entertaining at fairs, amusement parks and theaters. Victor said this year, they will have traveled 14 states plus Canada, and will loop back to California.
“It’s a family thing,” he said. “Magic is at the core, but it’s surrounded by so much more.”
The family is no stranger to the park, as this marks their third year to perform here. The Kent Family Magic Circus started performances at the park Monday and will continue through July 25 at 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays; noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays; 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturdays; and 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sundays.
The family circus was brought in as part of the park’s Kids Festival - something special for children before they have to return to school, said Beech Bend spokeswoman Charlotte Gonzalez. She said that while the park has entertainment almost every day, the Kent family is something different.
“They are a very entertaining bunch,” Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez said Beech Bend has different types of entertainment, such as a retro rock ’n’ roll show and a dancing show, for those who do not frequent the rides at the amusement park.
“It’s good family entertainment,” Gonzalez said, “and it just fits here at Beech Bend.”
“I love Kentucky, and I have proof - 180 proof,” he said before using an alcohol-based agent to blow on the fire, making a blaze extend outward.
The Kent Family Magic Circus had been made up of Kent and six of his children providing a variety of trickery and illusions to keep those under the Magnolia shelter, one of Beech Bend Amusement Park’s original structures, entertained. And this year, the traveling seven have turned into the traveling nine as a son and the mom were added to the show.
Titus Kent, 12, who is confined to a wheelchair, and Mami, Victor’s wife, are now part of the traveling show - full of music, magic, song, stunts, escapes, bullwhips and fire juggling on a unicycle.
Victor Kent said that in addition to Mami’s juggling act, she will do a seance trick where she will call a ghost, which he said is very 1930s-1940s.
“It’s not a lot. It’s not meant to be a lot,” he said of the additions. “We decided to add them because they wanted to be part of the traveling family show.
“And people are excited about the new additions.”
And next year, the Kent family will add their dog, Belle, to the roster, he said.
“Our goal is to entertain,” he said. “Each show has different aspects to it, where 90 percent will be recognizable, but 10 percent will be new. It’s not just a magic show. It’s a Vaudeville show, it’s a circus. We’ve got singing and dancing, juggling and fire eating, and there is always that element of danger.”
Originally from Oroville, Calif., the family has traveled all over sharing their magical talents - entertaining at fairs, amusement parks and theaters. Victor said this year, they will have traveled 14 states plus Canada, and will loop back to California.
“It’s a family thing,” he said. “Magic is at the core, but it’s surrounded by so much more.”
The family is no stranger to the park, as this marks their third year to perform here. The Kent Family Magic Circus started performances at the park Monday and will continue through July 25 at 1 p.m., 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays; noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays; 11 a.m., 12:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturdays; and 2 p.m., 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sundays.
The family circus was brought in as part of the park’s Kids Festival - something special for children before they have to return to school, said Beech Bend spokeswoman Charlotte Gonzalez. She said that while the park has entertainment almost every day, the Kent family is something different.
“They are a very entertaining bunch,” Gonzalez said.
Gonzalez said Beech Bend has different types of entertainment, such as a retro rock ’n’ roll show and a dancing show, for those who do not frequent the rides at the amusement park.
“It’s good family entertainment,” Gonzalez said, “and it just fits here at Beech Bend.”
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