Wednesday, June 30, 2010

WALKER BROS NEWS


Circus plans shows in Dresden, LitchfieldBy Betty Adams badams@centralmaine.comStaff Writer Circus, circus.After the hoopla of Whatever Week in the capital region, fun activities continue with the arrival of the Walker Bros. Circus, which will perform two shows in Dresden on Tuesday and two in Litchfield July 9.
The shows are 5:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Along with the usual circus fare, this year’s tour of the Walker Bros. Fair features Liberty ponies and a comedy pig act, said Kelly Fairchild, of the circus’ marketing department. There are clown acts, aerialists and jugglers. There are no exotic animals, such as elephants.
The yellow-and-red big top will be erected on Route 27 in Dresden, where the shows are sponsored by the Dresden Fire Association.
Then the 40-person cast and crew relocate to Union on July 7; and Camden, July 8 before setting up at the Litchfield Fairgrounds July 9.
“Everybody has two or three jobs, and everybody pitches in and helps,” Fairchild said.
The circus is a movable fete, relocating every day while on tour.
“Typically, we’re up at 5 a.m., and we would travel to the next lot,” Fairchild said.
Most times, the new site is within an hour or two of the old. The workers set up the tent, take a break and then open the midway an hour before showtime, Fairchild said.
The two performances are essentially back-to-back. Then they begin to take down the tent almost immediately.
Fairchild said the circus can accommodate 1,200 spectators per show. Adult tickets are $14; free children’s tickets are available locally.
The circus is on tour May through October and spends the remainder of the year performing at its headquarters in Sarasota, Fla. The Walker Bros. Circus has been performing for about 20 years.

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