THE BALLOON MAN

Residents gather to enjoy circus acts under the big top

Miranda Henderson.

At intermission on Wednesday evening during the Carson & Barnes Circus, area families line up to ride elephants, ponies, and camels; get their faces painted; and have pictures taken with Alex the Clown. The Ringmaster encouraged the crowd to enjoy the intermission and return to their seats within 15 minutes for the next set of daring acts

.By MIRANDA HENDERSON of the Daily Ledger GateHouse News Service

Posted Sep 02, 2011

LEWISTOWN, ILLINOIS — Carson & Barnes Circus hoisted the big top at Fulton County Fairgrounds on Wednesday around 9 a.m. to a crowd of onlookers. As Carson & Barnes set up circus morning, the fairgrounds turn into "Circus City USA," according to organizers of the event.Everyone was invited to watch the transformation take place free of charge.As the first caravans arrived, exotic and domestic animals were unloaded.Adding to the excitement was the final and most popular experience of all -- erecting the big top.Humans and technology worked side-by-side to erect America's most spectacular and largest circus big top."It was just outstanding to watch them put up the big top. We had about 280 kids from the school out there in the morning while they were setting up, and they had a fantastic time. They got to see all the animals and the circus employees took time to talk to the children about the care for each of their exotic animals," says Theresa Strode of the Lewistown Lions Club, one of the sponsoring organizations.Before the show started, children were invited to pet small animals at the petting zoo, ride camels or elephants, play games to win prizes, or slide down the giant slide. Refreshments and snacks could be purchased from the circus vendors before the show started. During the show, the crowd was offered snacks by "candy butchers" or those vendors that shout out to the crowd during the performance, "popcorn, peanuts, cotton candy."At 4:30 p.m. and again at 7:30 p.m. the circus performers delighted residents of all ages.READ MORE AT:http://www.cantondailyledger.com/features/x1069104195/Residents-gather-to-enjoy-circus-acts-under-the-big-top