PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Large animal acts return to this year’s Anah Temple Shrine Circus. According to Jim Dwyer, one of the assistant circus chairmen for the Anah Shriners, elephants and Royal Bengal tigers will take center stage during the 52nd annual event.
“The elephants and tigers will be performing, and we are going to have elephant and camel rides this year,” said Dwyer, “so those folks who have wanted to see large animal acts coming back, we do have those in this year’s circus.”
The Anah Temple Shine Circus kicks off its six-show run tomorrow night at The Forum in Presque Isle.
“There is a motorcycle act that we have not seen here before,” Dwyer said. “An act that people have seen before has been revised. Johnny Peers will have his rescue dogs, the Muttville Comics, and he does an excellent job.”
This year’s circus is promoted by Circus United, based in Sweetwater, Texas.
“The promoters are new to the state of Maine,” said Dwyer. “They’ve both been circus performers in the past.”
According to the company’s website, Shane Johnson is a second-generation producer who carries on the tradition which he inherited from one of the greatest producers in show business, Donnie Johnson. Producer Fletcher Runyan is one the most acclaimed wirewalkers of today’s day and age, and was trained by the world-renowned Canestrelli family.
This year’s circus production features America’s premier big cat animal trainer Niche and his Royal Bengal tigers; the comedy of Johnny Peers; juggling sensation TJ Howle; dazzling aerial artistry on the chiffon featuring Miss Suzie Ashton; aerial birds of flight high above the circus ring featuring Miss Bird and the Lovely Stephanie; Johnny Peers and his Muttville Comics; foot juggling act, The Ashtons; TJ Howle Unicycles; Circus United’s ballerina on the webs and trapeze featuring Miss Suzie Ashton; daredevil Enrique Valencia and his Incline Motorcycle act; and the Anah Shrine Klowns.
“In addition, Charlie Van Buskirk, who is the ringmaster and has been the face of the Anah Shrine Circus for so many years, will be returning,” said Dwyer.
As a way of ensuring a successful local show, Dwyer and others went to Bangor last weekend to watch the Anah Shrine Circus.
“Going to a Bangor performance gives us a preview to make sure we can provide people here the best show possible,” said Dwyer. “It helps us identify any adjustments that may need to be made locally as the circus comes to The Forum.
“I think it’s a very good show, and I think people will really like it,” he said. “It’s great, affordable family entertainment. We strive to keep prices affordable so families can attend the circus.”
The circus is always well attended when it stops in the Star City.
“We anticipate between 12,000 and 14,000 people to attend the circus throughout the six shows which shows a tremendous amount of support from this area,” said Dwyer. “We do get a number of people from western New Brunswick, as well. It’s really become a community event and almost a rite of spring.”
Circus 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 said, noting 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 120 volunteers to put on each show,” Dwyer said. “We have a parking crew, a crew that works on the floor helping usher 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 Klowns 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 7, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Friday, May 8 and 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, May 9. Advance tickets are $4 for children and $8 for adults, and $5 for children and $10 for adults at the door. Tickets are available at The Forum, Aroostook County Burger King restaurants, Clukey’s Auto Supply in Presque Isle, Caribou and Houlton, Ray’s Corner Variety, Bradley’s CITGO, R.H. Foster in Bridgewater, Ashland One Stop, Burger Boy in Caribou, and 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.
