Hejaz Shrine Circus returns to Anderson for four performances
By Jake Grove Anderson Independent Mail
March 25, 2011
There might not be the traditional lions and tigers and bears traipsing through the Civic Center of Anderson this weekend for the Hejaz Shrine Circus, but you can be rest assured that more than a few wild animals will come through the doors for a fun-filled family frolic.
This Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the Hejaz Shrine Circus returns to the Civic Center of Anderson for three days and four shows of one of the most amazing acts on Earth. The checklist is set and the tickets are ready to be snatched up.
Horses. Check.
Clowns. Check.
Elephants. You better believe it.
“You know, this is always one of the biggest shows of the year at the Civic Center,” said Charles Wyatt, executive director of the Civic Center of Anderson. “It packs out the building for three days and it accomplishes some pretty important goals for us.”
The first goal is providing family entertainment at an affordable cost, Wyatt said. And at $11 for an adult ticket and $9 for child admission, that was easy to accommodate. But it also does something good for the community, as all the proceeds from the event will benefit the Shriners Hospital here in the Upstate.
“The Shriners raise a lot of money for the hospital with this circus tour,” Wyatt said. “It’s a great show for a great cause.”
The reason it packs the house every year is because of those “wide-eyed moments” Wyatt said. And there is no bigger wide-eyed moment than when the elephants come parading through the center stage.
It only makes sense. After all, if a two-ton elephant came strolling up right beside you, wouldn’t your eyes get a little bigger than normal? Wyatt said no matter how many times he sees the elephants come through the door for the first time, it’s something he knows he will never forget. He hopes as many people as possible will come this weekend to experience the same thing.
“Our load-in doors at the back of the Civic Center are called elephant doors,” Wyatt said. “It’s because they are big and can fit just about anything. Well, this weekend they really will be elephant doors.”
They will also be clown doors, dog doors, horse doors, high-wire act doors and ringmaster doors, because the whole circus experience will be ready and set up by Friday night.
The Hejaz Circus is one of those rare opportunities to make memories, Wyatt said. Even though parents and grandparents may have seen a circus plenty of times in their lives, they have the chance to see their children and grandchildren marvel at the showcase of imagination that comes right to their hometown.
Wyatt said he and the staff love seeing the parents step back a bit and watch their children run up to a clown or see the horses trot into the center ring. And they can’t believe their eyes as trapeze artists fly overhead and land with the grace of a jungle cat.
“These kids are making memories and the parents get to see that in action,” he said. “You might never have the chance to see a show like this again.”
The shows will be at 7 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are available at $11 for adults and $9 for children. The price will go up by $2 on the day of the show.
This Friday, Saturday and Sunday, the Hejaz Shrine Circus returns to the Civic Center of Anderson for three days and four shows of one of the most amazing acts on Earth. The checklist is set and the tickets are ready to be snatched up.
Horses. Check.
Clowns. Check.
Elephants. You better believe it.
“You know, this is always one of the biggest shows of the year at the Civic Center,” said Charles Wyatt, executive director of the Civic Center of Anderson. “It packs out the building for three days and it accomplishes some pretty important goals for us.”
The first goal is providing family entertainment at an affordable cost, Wyatt said. And at $11 for an adult ticket and $9 for child admission, that was easy to accommodate. But it also does something good for the community, as all the proceeds from the event will benefit the Shriners Hospital here in the Upstate.
“The Shriners raise a lot of money for the hospital with this circus tour,” Wyatt said. “It’s a great show for a great cause.”
The reason it packs the house every year is because of those “wide-eyed moments” Wyatt said. And there is no bigger wide-eyed moment than when the elephants come parading through the center stage.
It only makes sense. After all, if a two-ton elephant came strolling up right beside you, wouldn’t your eyes get a little bigger than normal? Wyatt said no matter how many times he sees the elephants come through the door for the first time, it’s something he knows he will never forget. He hopes as many people as possible will come this weekend to experience the same thing.
“Our load-in doors at the back of the Civic Center are called elephant doors,” Wyatt said. “It’s because they are big and can fit just about anything. Well, this weekend they really will be elephant doors.”
They will also be clown doors, dog doors, horse doors, high-wire act doors and ringmaster doors, because the whole circus experience will be ready and set up by Friday night.
The Hejaz Circus is one of those rare opportunities to make memories, Wyatt said. Even though parents and grandparents may have seen a circus plenty of times in their lives, they have the chance to see their children and grandchildren marvel at the showcase of imagination that comes right to their hometown.
Wyatt said he and the staff love seeing the parents step back a bit and watch their children run up to a clown or see the horses trot into the center ring. And they can’t believe their eyes as trapeze artists fly overhead and land with the grace of a jungle cat.
“These kids are making memories and the parents get to see that in action,” he said. “You might never have the chance to see a show like this again.”
The shows will be at 7 p.m. Friday, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are available at $11 for adults and $9 for children. The price will go up by $2 on the day of the show.
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