THE BALLOON MAN

The circus is coming to Hudson as a fundraiser for Benson Park, animal rights activists will protest
FROM: nashuatelegraph.com
By ERIN PLACE
Staff Writer
Monday, July 2, 2012
HUDSON – The circus is returning to Hudson this week, but not without local animal rights activists having something to say about it.

The Friends of Benson Park have scheduled the two-day event as a fundraiser for the 166-acre town recreation area. The Kelly Miller Circus will roll into town Wednesday and Thursday. Nashua resident Jennifer Wolf, along with a group of animal rights supporters, plan to protest the circus both days it is in town.

In 2011, the Friends of Benson Park brought in the Cole Brothers Circus for the fundraiser, but this circus wasn’t able to fit in the Hudson nonprofit organization this year, said Bob Goldsack, trustee of the board. They instead secured the Kelly Miller Circus for the 2012 event.

“We’re kind of particular in picking out circuses because we want them to have a lot of animals being Benson was an animal place. This show does have a lot of animals,” Goldsack said about the former Benson Animal Farm that closed its doors in 1987 as New England Playworld. Today, the former animal park is owed by the town of Hudson.

“Most people enjoy the circus with the animals, that’s one of the reasons they go, is to see the elephants particularly,” Goldsack added. He noted the animal acts include elephants, tigers, dogs and a mixed act, featuring camels.

Goldsack said the Friends of Benson Park raised thousands of dollars for the town park from last year’s circus, but didn’t have a specific figure.
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