COLE ALL STAR CIRCUS--TODAYS PAPER

New York Canal Times - Online newspaper
Mercury Media Group
The circus comes to town by Janine Giordano It was standing room only, Tuesday night, with cheers of awe and approval rocking the rafters of the Richfield Springs Central School gymnasium, as Billy Martin’s Cole All Star Circus rolled into town.
This visit marked the third consecutive year the circus has come to the aid of Project Prom, an effort to keep prom party-goers safe and drug and alcohol free, according to Project Prom committee member Kerryanne Kennedy.
Each year the circus packs the gym, offering spectacular feats of adventure, and all the fun stuff that goes along with a circus – 50/50 raffle, light sabers and magic wands, cotton candy, popcorn, balloons and clowns.
This year’s show brought back old favorites like BMX rider Brett Marshall and the Amazing Trampoline Guy.
A new acrobat and a drumming dancing duet kept the crowd “oohing” and “ahhing” with their moves.
Committee members Shellie McKnight and Mary Ames stood on the sidelines manning the door.
“We’re very happy with the turnout.
“It’s our biggest fundraiser of the year,” Ames said.
“We have a great turnout every year, though,” McKnight added.
Once again, Project Prom will be held at the Clark Sports Center in Cooperstown, following the prom.
According to Kennedy, each student attending the prom who agrees to go to Project Prom will be required to sign a pledge promising they will go.
It is not mandatory, but whoever attends, must sign a pledge.
All those pledging to go will have a chance to win a raffle.
Raffle prizes will be collected from sponsoring businesses.
Local businesses and larger companies, like Wal-Mart, will have the opportunity to donate either money or items for the raffle.
Project Prom is an alternative that allows students attending the prom to choose a drug free, alcohol free way to continue festivities after the prom.
Billy Martin’s Cole All Star Circus travels to schools all over the state, splitting profits with the schools for fundraisers.
The performers in the circus come from all over the world.