Thrills, chills and skills, that’s what you’ll find at the 73rd annual Aladdin Shrine Circus.
The event brings in acts from all over America, including Devin Chandler, the ringmaster for the Clyde Bros Johnson Aladdin Shrine Circus, who’s in town from Texas. He’s announcing the show for the first time in ten years.
“It’s a true family environment, especially here on the Clyde Brothers show,” said Chandler. “My buddy Shane, he doesn’t like to just hire acts, you know, from nowhere. He likes to hire people that are good people, that we know our family oriented people and also going to bring you a top-notch act. So you’re getting the best of both worlds.”
Chandler said spectators can witness true daredevil acts from motorcycles, to aerials, high-wire walks, BMX Freestyle and of course juggling. The acts change each year, but some stay the same.
One act that never changes, are the circus clowns. Timothy Jones, who dresses up as “Timmers” the clown, has been part of the show since 1991.
“It’s kind of hard to describe the magic,” Jones said. “But it’s that wonderful feeling of, of watching the performers and the hours and countless hours that they’ve spent to master their art.”
Jones said the memories made at these shows last a lifetime. He took his own daughter to a show back in the late 1970s. He said he fell in love with the show and decided that night that he would one day be a part of it. Jones said his favorite part of the circus, though, is the families and kids they’re able to help because of the money raised from the show.
The proceeds from the shows help keep the fraternal organization Aladdin Shriners running, which focuses on helping children who are mentally or physically disabled, kids in the hospital and families in the community who are less fortunate.
“And the final thing is the kids,” Jones said. “The money that we’re able to do to help the kids and to help out our Shrine Center.”
The Aladdin Shrine Circus has Saturday showings at 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. For more information and to purchase tickets, click here.
