Big top raised to boost Venice arena
Julia Backlund, foreground, and Irene Spana perform under the big top during a circus show in Venice on Sunday, Feb. 20, 2011. The show was one of several conducted by The Venice Circus Arts Foundation to help raise money to renovate the Venice Circus Arena. (Herald-Tribune staff photo by Dan Wagner)
By JASON WITZ Correspondent
Sarasota Herald Tribune
February 21, 2011
VENICE - The little boy with blue hair smiled and tugged on his grandmother's shirt when he saw the clown.
He took a deep breath and approached the man dressed in white, shyly grinning in anticipation of their meeting. The clown waved and asked the boy about his blue highlights.
The 7-year-old retreated behind his grandmother's arm, re-emerging only when the clown asked if he wanted to take a photo.
"I think you two are related," the grandmother quipped as the boy placed a red ball on his nose.
But Sunday's benefit circus was not just for the children.
Residents of all ages gathered under the big top at the Kmart parking lot to raise money and awareness for an ongoing effort to save the Venice Circus Arena, a 4,500-seat facility.
Nearly 280 volunteers assisted the Venice Circus Arts Foundation in bringing the show to the area.
The group needs about $10 million to restore and modernize what foundation executive director Orlando Bevington call the "jewel" of the community.
"It needs to be saved," he said of the arena at Ringling Drive South and Airport Avenue East. "We're not trying to reinvent the wheel. We're trying to bring something back."
Mark Gebel, who spent many years performing inside the arena, said the goal is to use the facility year-round for myriad community events, such as sporting events and trade shows.
"We know in our heart that we at least tried," he said.
The sentiment was shared by those who remember the arena from childhood memories.
"This is a great event," said Terri Simon, noting her high school graduation was at the arena. "I believe in the history of things and I think the circus made Southwest Florida."
The foundation plans to have shows again Saturday and Sunday, starting at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., at Kmart, 1687 Tamiami Trail.
He took a deep breath and approached the man dressed in white, shyly grinning in anticipation of their meeting. The clown waved and asked the boy about his blue highlights.
The 7-year-old retreated behind his grandmother's arm, re-emerging only when the clown asked if he wanted to take a photo.
"I think you two are related," the grandmother quipped as the boy placed a red ball on his nose.
But Sunday's benefit circus was not just for the children.
Residents of all ages gathered under the big top at the Kmart parking lot to raise money and awareness for an ongoing effort to save the Venice Circus Arena, a 4,500-seat facility.
Nearly 280 volunteers assisted the Venice Circus Arts Foundation in bringing the show to the area.
The group needs about $10 million to restore and modernize what foundation executive director Orlando Bevington call the "jewel" of the community.
"It needs to be saved," he said of the arena at Ringling Drive South and Airport Avenue East. "We're not trying to reinvent the wheel. We're trying to bring something back."
Mark Gebel, who spent many years performing inside the arena, said the goal is to use the facility year-round for myriad community events, such as sporting events and trade shows.
"We know in our heart that we at least tried," he said.
The sentiment was shared by those who remember the arena from childhood memories.
"This is a great event," said Terri Simon, noting her high school graduation was at the arena. "I believe in the history of things and I think the circus made Southwest Florida."
The foundation plans to have shows again Saturday and Sunday, starting at 1 p.m. and 4 p.m., at Kmart, 1687 Tamiami Trail.
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