Shrine Circus moves to U-City Mall

This weekend’s El Katif Shrine Circus will run from Friday through Sunday in a new location – the former University City Mall.

For the past five years, the circus appeared under the big top at Spokane Valley Mall.

Jay Smith, of the El Katif Shrine, said the move was made to reduce production costs.

This year’s circus – the 62nd annual for the Spokane region – will again bring the Tarzan Zerbini Circus to Spokane Valley with acrobats, aerialists, horses, elephants, daredevil feats and other acts in a contemporary circus production.

The shows will be at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday; and 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Sunday.

Proceeds from the fundraiser will go to support El Katif Shrine, which in turn supports Shriners hospitals for children.

Shriners operates a network of 22 hospitals across the country, including one in Spokane.

The network provides no-cost medical care to children with orthopedic problems and burn injuries. In addition, one hospital in the network provides rehabilitation for spinal cord injuries.

Shriners hospital care dates to 1922.

“As far as I am concerned, that hospital (at Monroe Street and Fifth Avenue in Spokane) is the crown jewel of the South Hill,” Smith said.

He said he believes the new circus location at U-City, 10210 E. Sprague Ave., will help draw people to the seven shows over three days.

Tickets are $10 for general admission; $15 for reserved seating, $20 for VIP seating and $25 for ringmaster seating.

Children younger than 2 are admitted free, if they can be held on a lap.

Tickets will be sold only at the circus site, with sales starting at 9 a.m. each day of the show.

The El Katif Shrine covers the Inland Northwest.