Shrine Circus returns

By Scott Mitchell Johnson
Staff Writer
    PRESQUE ISLE — Clown comedy, aerial artistry, unicycling and juggling acts, and tigers will highlight this year’s Anah Temple Shrine Circus, which will kick off its six-show run tomorrow night at The Forum in Presque Isle.
    “Live tigers will be part of the circus this year which we’re really excited about,” said Jim Dwyer, one of the assistant circus chairmen for the Anah Shriners. “Also recently added to the lineup is an aerial motorcycle act which should be exciting.”
    The Anah Temple has once again contracted with the Royal Hanneford Circus of Sarasota, Fla., a professional touring circus.
    This year’s circus production features the Terrific Tigers of Bruno Blaszak; TJ Howell, who will not only wow the crowd with his unicycling excellence, but also his juggling abilities; aerial artistry of the Captivating Carla, the Incredible Gayle will demonstrate her hula hoop mastery, the Sensational Sladek, who will perform a balancing act beyond belief on a towering stack of chairs; the high wire heroics of the McIntyre Family, trampoline comedy by the Great Garvekeo, John Winn’s Galaxy of Thrills, and, of course, the award-winning Anah Shrine Clowns.
    “Charlie Van Buskirk, who is the ringmaster and has been the face of the Anah Shrine Circus for so many years, will be returning, as well,” said Dwyer.
    The circus is always well attended when it stops in the Star City.
    “For the last two years, we’ve had more than 14,000 people come to the circus,” said Dwyer, noting that proceeds benefit the Anah Temple. “The money allows us to run our organization so that we can do other things to raise money for hospitals.”
    Dwyer reminds circus-goers that due to the unpredictable and hazardous nature of circus performing acts, the program is subject to change.
    Volunteers have been working hard for the last six months preparing for the arrival of the Shrine Circus.
    “It takes about 130 volunteers to put on each show,” Dwyer said. “We have a parking crew, a crew that works on the floor helping ushering people to seats, we have a crew that makes cotton candy, a crew that makes snowcones, taking tickets, selling programs, the lighting crew and all of the Shrine Clowns are volunteers.
    “The Aroostook County Shrine Club could not do this without the help of the Shriner ladies,” he said. “They’re part of the volunteers and we just couldn’t do it without them.”
    Shows will be at 7 p.m. Thursday, May 3, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Friday, May 4 and 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, May 5. Advance tickets are $4 for children under 12 and $8 for adults, and $6 for children and $10 for adults at the door. Tickets are available at The Forum, York’s Bookstore in Houlton, Aroostook County Subways and Burger King restaurants, Clukey’s Auto Supply in Presque Isle, Caribou and Houlton, Ray’s Corner Variety, Bradley’s Citgo, PPJS Thriftway in Bridgewater, Ashland One Stop or from any Shriner.
    The Shriners provide a free ticket to every fifth-grader in Aroostook County. Dwyer said those tickets are purchased by the organization’s 400 members. Thanks to the generosity of area sponsors, both a boy’s and girl’s bicycle will be given away at each show, as well.