First Ford Center circus a lot of clowning around
KYLE GRANTHAM / Courier & PressClowns parade through the Ford Center during the opening day of the Hadi Shrine Circus in Evansville on Thursday.
By Arek Sarkissian II
Evansville Courier & Press
Posted November 24, 2011
EVANSVILLE — Sniffles the Clown gathered balloons behind the big curtain of the Ford Center on Thursday afternoon preparing to let go of reality.
With a little paint, some goofy clothes and silly attitude, Sniffles, also known as Evansville resident Wes Whiteside, said nine years of training with the Hadi Funsters helped bring his knack for nonsense to center stage at will.
"We want to make sure everyone leaves with a smile on their face," he said, adding his secret is to know when to let go of his regular self. "You have to learn to be someone that you're not.
"Just go out and have a good time."
Sniffles was one of the group of Hadi Shriners who helped put on their 78th annual circus, which kicked off Thursday at the still sparkling Downtown facility. Hadi Shrine spokesman Brian Ball said there were no problems moving the show from Roberts Stadium. Some of the few differences were that the size of the new facility required more lights and flooring.
With a little paint, some goofy clothes and silly attitude, Sniffles, also known as Evansville resident Wes Whiteside, said nine years of training with the Hadi Funsters helped bring his knack for nonsense to center stage at will.
"We want to make sure everyone leaves with a smile on their face," he said, adding his secret is to know when to let go of his regular self. "You have to learn to be someone that you're not.
"Just go out and have a good time."
Sniffles was one of the group of Hadi Shriners who helped put on their 78th annual circus, which kicked off Thursday at the still sparkling Downtown facility. Hadi Shrine spokesman Brian Ball said there were no problems moving the show from Roberts Stadium. Some of the few differences were that the size of the new facility required more lights and flooring.
KYLE GRANTHAM / Courier & PressA poodle in a skirt follows it's trainer through one of the rings at the Hadi Shrine Circus at the Ford Center on Thursday.
"We were just saying this morning that it was actually like setting up at Roberts, again," he said. "Everything just seemed to flow perfectly and everyone worked quite well."
Ball said the Shrine Circus is the last in North America to use a live orchestra playing for every performance. It also is one of the few remaining three-ring circuses, he said.
Another difference is that each act to perform in the circus is hired separately, and they are brought together to make the entire show. Proceeds from the circus will stay in Evansville and will be used to support the Hadi Shrine facility, which in turn provides events like Shrinersfest to benefit the community, he said.
Ball said those who saw the show on Thursday should expect a similar version through the weekends. And adults who toted the kids along but want to see it again on their own should not feel alone.
KYLE GRANTHAM / Courier & Press
"Ernestina" hangs and spins from her neck above the Ford Center floor during aerial acrobatic performances at the Hadi Shrine Circus on Thursday.
"It's not just mom and dad bringing their kids – it's grandparents bringing their grandkids," he said. "But we also have grown adults continuing to love the circus."
Rick "Outback Jack" Smallwood said he has been a Hadi clown for 26 years, and each installment improves. Outback Jack said he is a legacy of such clowns. His father became a clown as a young man.
"Then I came in and when my father passed away, my son came in," he said. "It's a family tradition."
Liz Robling and her family eagerly waited for the show to begin standing on the arena's large concourse. She said although it wasn't her first circus, it was for the facility.
"It's a nice arena," she said, adding of the circus, "I hope it was like it was at Roberts Stadium."
Azad Kabir and his family also were anxious for the circus to begin. He also said the atmosphere generated by the show was electric.
"It really is very nice," he said.
The circus will take place through Sunday.
For more details, go online to hadishrinecircus.com.
"We were just saying this morning that it was actually like setting up at Roberts, again," he said. "Everything just seemed to flow perfectly and everyone worked quite well."
Ball said the Shrine Circus is the last in North America to use a live orchestra playing for every performance. It also is one of the few remaining three-ring circuses, he said.
Another difference is that each act to perform in the circus is hired separately, and they are brought together to make the entire show. Proceeds from the circus will stay in Evansville and will be used to support the Hadi Shrine facility, which in turn provides events like Shrinersfest to benefit the community, he said.
Ball said those who saw the show on Thursday should expect a similar version through the weekends. And adults who toted the kids along but want to see it again on their own should not feel alone.
KYLE GRANTHAM / Courier & Press"Ernestina" hangs and spins from her neck above the Ford Center floor during aerial acrobatic performances at the Hadi Shrine Circus on Thursday.
"It's not just mom and dad bringing their kids – it's grandparents bringing their grandkids," he said. "But we also have grown adults continuing to love the circus."
Rick "Outback Jack" Smallwood said he has been a Hadi clown for 26 years, and each installment improves. Outback Jack said he is a legacy of such clowns. His father became a clown as a young man.
"Then I came in and when my father passed away, my son came in," he said. "It's a family tradition."
Liz Robling and her family eagerly waited for the show to begin standing on the arena's large concourse. She said although it wasn't her first circus, it was for the facility.
"It's a nice arena," she said, adding of the circus, "I hope it was like it was at Roberts Stadium."
Azad Kabir and his family also were anxious for the circus to begin. He also said the atmosphere generated by the show was electric.
"It really is very nice," he said.
The circus will take place through Sunday.
For more details, go online to hadishrinecircus.com.
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