THE BALLOON MAN

Zoppe Family Circus returning to Bolingbrook for shows July 12-15

 

(Bolingbrook Park District, Handout / June 21, 2012)
Emily Miller
 Neighborhood News Service
chicagotribune.com
June 21, 2012
BOLINGBROOK— The Zoppe Family Circus will return to Bolingbrook's Central Park in July.
Zoppe came to Bolingbrook last year and was a big hit, according to Dan Leahy, Bolingbrook Park District's marketing and communications manager.
"Last year there was a lot of emphasis on the acrobats and juggling," Leahy said. "And great music."
The Zoppe Family Circus has been around since 1842 and is filled with Old World Italian tradition, according to the Zoppe website.
"It's an authentic family circus," Leahy said.
Last year there was a strong emphasis on Nino the clown, and Leahy said he imagines there will be something similar to that this year. Audiences should not expect to see elephants, tigers and lions, but dogs and horses.
The Zoppe Family Circus sets up a tent for 500 people and tells an intimate story rather than presenting a show based only on individual acts. According to the Zoppe website, the circus features acrobats, equestrian showmanship, dog tricks, Nino the clown and audience participation.
Performances are scheduled at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 12 and Friday, July 13, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, July 14 and 1 p.m. Sunday, July 15. Each show will have two 45-minute acts.
"It's about as long as a kid's movie," Leahy said.
Admission is $20 for adults and $15 for seniors and youth ages 3-17. Children 2 and younger are free. Tickets are available at all Bolingbrook community centers.
"We are being proactive, and have thousands of $5 off coupons at many places around the area, such as Pelican Harbor," Leahy said. "We are trying to give back to the community and reward them for using our facilities."
The down economy has caused the park district to not have as much going on as it would like, said Al Traczek, president of the Bolingbrook Park District board of commissioners.
"One of the biggest things happening this summer is the circus," Traczek said. "It went well last year.