Shrine Circus Sure To Be Packed With Excitement

Is your idea of good wholesome family fun dragging the family to a Van Damme/Stallone film festival? Reconsider and, instead, take the kids to the circus this weekend.

The Shrine Circus returns to Spokane today for a three-day stand at the Coliseum.

In keeping with previous Shrine Circuses, this year’s big top features entertainment from the Jordan International Circus.

There’ll be plenty of excitement packed into each of the two-hour performances.

Among some of the circus’ attractions are: highwire and trapeze artists, the human cannonball, a tiger and lion act, clowns and elephants.

A new routine involving a trained buffalo and a Wyoming cowboy has been added to the show. “What exactly happens, I don’t know,” said Shrine Circus chairman Henry Rautio.

As always, one of the most awesome spectacles during in the Jordan Circus is the Globe of Death, a routine that involves two or three motorcyles racing around simultaneously in a tiny globe-shaped cage. What makes this death-defying act all the more unbelievable is that the motorcyclists never collide.

“This year, I understand they’re going to have four at one time in the globe,” Rautio said.

All proceeds benefit the El Katif Shrine Temple, which helps fund the Shriners Hospital. All Shriners kids attend the circus free.

The traveling circus is as much an American tradition as apple pie. Since big tops don’t stop in Spokane very often, don’t put off buying your tickets. Most of the shows fill to capacity.

Showtimes are: 4:30 and 8 p.m. today, noon, 3:30 and 7 p.m. Saturday and 11 a.m., 2:30 and 6 p.m. Sunday.

Tickets are available at G&B outlets for $11, $7 for children 16 and under and seniors.

General admission tickets are available only at the door and will be $9 for adults, $5 for children and seniors.