THE BALLOON MAN

Friday, January 27, 2012

Military Night At Circus

Photo by MCSA Damian Berg/Color guard from the tri-base area perform during the pre-show at the Ringling Brothers and Barmum and Bailey Circus military appreciation night. This is the first color guard performance out of a 90-city tour for the circus.

By MCSA Damian Berg

from: jacksonville.com/military

January 25, 2012

Navy Public Affairs Support Element East Detachment SoutheastJacksonville area service members and their families stepped under the big top for one of the” greatest show’s on earth” with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus Jan. 21.“Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey military appreciation nights salute the troops and their families by providing reduced priced tickets for active duty, reserve and retired members,” said Chad Ballard, manager of Events marketing and sales domestic marketing with Feld Entertainment. “In-show tributes are our way of thanking them for their selfless service to America.”Before the show, the families headed down to the arena floor for some early entertainment and to meet some of the circus members. The children and their parents were met by clowns, acrobats and animals, tried on costumes and participated in some of the acts.Sailors, Marines and Coast Guard from the tri-base area rendered colors during the pre-show of the circus. Ballard said this is the first color guard to perform in their new show: Spirit of the Dragons. “Ringling Bros. opens every performance with the National Anthem. Traditionally, Color Guards render honors when the National Anthem is played or sung, hence, when available, we always try to incorporate this added measure of respect and tribute to our performance,” said Ballard.Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Heather Cowell from NS Mayport was a member of the Tri-base color guard and said she was honored to perform color guard duty.“It’s a huge honor. I got to be a part of the greatest show on earth,” said Cowell.Raven Jackson, 14-year-old daughter of Culinary Specialist 1st Class Terry Jackson, attended the performance with mother, and close friends was exited about this years theme.“I enjoyed the new theme this year because of the message it sent to me and other children,” said Raven. “To always have courage, heart, wisdom and strength.”This year’s theme engaged the audience in several scenarios to help “summon the dragon.”Other highlights included flying aerobatics; the history-making motocross bikes who ride eight-wide inside a 16-foot steel globe; horsemen performing amazing feats; contortionists; jugglers; strongmen and a unique group of acrobats jumping on trampolines. There were also the elephants, lions, tigers, horses and a feline and dog show.