THE BALLOON MAN

 

Shrine Circus to begin 79th run Thursday
from:  courierpress.com
By Sean McDevitt
November 21, 2012
Joe Vezzoso remembers the thrill of being a kid and attending the Hadi Shrine Circus when it was at the Evansville Coliseum, back in the days before Roberts Stadium was built.

Generations have changed hands since then, but for Vezzoso and his fellow Shriners, the commitment to one of Evansville's most enduring events remains as strong as ever.

On Thursday, Thanksgiving Day, that commitment will be renewed when the 79th annual circus kicks off a run of eight performances over a four-day period at the Ford Center.

"It's a labor of love for all of us," said Vezzoso, the executive director of the Hadi Shrine Circus. "It's a great value when you think about all the entertainment that we provide at a very reasonable cost."

The performances will kick off at 3 p.m. Thursday, with shows scheduled for 9:30 a.m., 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday. The finale will be 3 p.m. Sunday. Ticket prices range from $21 to $36.

This is the event's second year at the Ford Center following more than 50 years at Roberts Stadium. While the Downtown venue is new, much of the entertainment that will be on hand — including the tigers and elephants — is deeply rooted in the event's grand tradition.
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http://www.courierpress.com/news/2012/nov/21/shrine-circus-to-begin-79th-run-first-of-eight/