THE BALLOON MAN

Al Kaly Shrine Circus
Circus performers wow audiences at the Cañon City Rodeo Grounds

 

By CHARLOTTE BURROUS
from: canoncitydailyrecord.com
05/16/2013
Canon City,CO--The excitement built up with the sound of music, children laughing and the aroma of popcorn in the air.
Dozens of people cheered when the tigers were brought into the Cañon City Rodeo Grounds arena Thursday at the beginning of the Al Kaly Shrine Circus, produced by the Jordan World Circus.
And the crowd was not disappointed when the tigers lined up to sit on their haunches on the stools before climbing down to spin around on the pedestals. They then laid on their stomachs, rolled over 180 degrees and rose on their hind legs in unison. Two of the tigers took turns jumping through a flaming hoop and performed in ways that captured the audience's attention.
During the performance of the Flying Kumquats, the crowd watched in awe as the aerialists swung high above the crowd then the audience held their collective breath as two performers passed each other in the air.
Hardly anyone can imagine how the circus performer could ride a motorcycle through the door, where another performer was tied by her wrists and ankles and not be hurt.
Then the dogs took over, leaving the crowd laughing and cheering them on as they jumped over hoops, followed by one of the dogs pushing a car with a child in a child's riding car and many other tricks. Of those attending the show, Cheryl Miller said she enjoyed the tigers, as well.
"We've never been to this circus before," she said. "I liked it. It's kind of nice."
Raquel Gillentine, her daughter, Sierra, and Rachael Griffin and her daughter, Clarissa Clark, attended the circus, as well.
"This is my first time," Raquel said. "I think it's pretty cool."
She said she like the aerialists the best.
"I wanted to take my daughter (so she could) ride an elephant," Raquel said.
It was magic for Griffin, as well.
"It's great," she said. "I liked the dogs the best."
This was the first time Sierra has been to the circus.
"I think it's awesome," she said. "(I liked) the guy that went around in the wheel."
Clarissa said she enjoyed the clowns and riding on the elephant.
"It was really, really fun," she said. "I want to do it again."
Sierra had never ridden an elephant before.
"I thought I was going to fall," she said.
Prior to the show, Charlotte Gribble attended with her daughter, Sarah Harrison, and grandchildren, Coby, 9, Heaven, 6, Angel , 1.
"I think it's (good)," she said. "Some of that stuff, I wouldn't have the nerve (to do, like) the guy on the wheel."
It was the same for Harrison.
"It's wonderful," she said. "(But) it's pretty scary." This year, Brenda Hodge brought her daughter, Cora, 4, for the first time, reminiscent of bringing her other daughter, Elisyana, 8, several yeas ago.
"I like it," Cora said.
Elisyana agreed.
"It's awesome," she said. "I thought (the tigers were) pretty cool."