THE BALLOON MAN

Small site, big cheers for circus
(Silverlake's Santa Claus Holiday Circus)

 

A Santa Claus Holiday Circus performer balances on a "rola bola" – a cylinder beneath several flat platforms.
By Chesley Oxendine Phoenix Correspondent
from:  muskogeephoenix.com
November 24, 2012
— FORT GIBSON — Santa made an appearance Friday in Fort Gibson — as part of a circus.
 The big top came to an old gymnasium in Fort Gibson on Friday night as American Legion Post 20 brought Santa Claus Holiday Circus to Fort Gibson High School.
 With a set of routines specifically geared toward small towns and smaller buildings, the circus put on performers ranging from Nugget the miniature pony to clown Kyle Andrews, who interspersed the balancing acts and trained poodles with comedy.
 More than 100 people cheered in the stands, and many partook of cotton candy, sodas and popcorn. Several times the performers offered souvenirs such as huge balloons and coloring books to the crowd.

Afterward, children were invited to have their photos taken with famous Christmas characters, such as the Grinch and Santa Claus.
 The admission fees went to the post for its general fund, which pays for projects such as the Trail of Honor Flag Project as well as maintaining the Legion’s building, Post Commander Tim Smith said.
“This was very good,” he said. “It’s our first year, so this was an experiment, and it was a success for us.”
It was a success for the crowd, too, said Wagoner resident Cheril Teague.
“I really enjoyed all of it, except for the clown,” Teague said. “I’m really scared of clowns.”
read more:
http://muskogeephoenix.com/local/x983008146/Small-site-big-cheers-for-circus