Thrills pay the bills
Circus fundraiser covers about half the yearly budget for Mizpah Shrine
Castle's Bears
The Flying Cortes FamilyBy Ellie Bogue of The News-Sentinel , Fort Wayne, IN
In what looked like an impossible move, the flying-trapeze artist spun three and a half summersaults into the grip of his partner. A cloud of chalk dust testified to the perfect catch.
The Cortes family was just one of the many acts that entertained area elementary school students during a performance Thursday morning of the Mizpah Shrine Circus. This is the 65th year for the circus, and according to Terry Bradner, assistant chair for the Shrine Circus Committee, the circus is their biggest fundraising event of the year.
“The lion's share of which we use to operate our local Mizpah Shrine organization,” Bradner said.
Bradner figures they raise 50 percent of their annual budget through this one event. He said over the next four days there will be 60,000 people coming to visit the circus, some of whom have been coming to the show for 40 years.
“It makes them feel like kids again to come back,” Bradner said.
Besides the circus, there is a free fair in the basement of Memorial Coliseum for guests to stroll through.
“Of course you can spend money there, too, but you don't have to,” Bradner said.
Bradner still considers the circus an entertainment value and said $5-off coupons are available to help cover ticket costs.
“A family of four only has to spend $20 to come to the circus,” Bradner said. “It's good clean fun for the family.”
MORE INFORMATION
The Cortes family was just one of the many acts that entertained area elementary school students during a performance Thursday morning of the Mizpah Shrine Circus. This is the 65th year for the circus, and according to Terry Bradner, assistant chair for the Shrine Circus Committee, the circus is their biggest fundraising event of the year.
“The lion's share of which we use to operate our local Mizpah Shrine organization,” Bradner said.
Bradner figures they raise 50 percent of their annual budget through this one event. He said over the next four days there will be 60,000 people coming to visit the circus, some of whom have been coming to the show for 40 years.
“It makes them feel like kids again to come back,” Bradner said.
Besides the circus, there is a free fair in the basement of Memorial Coliseum for guests to stroll through.
“Of course you can spend money there, too, but you don't have to,” Bradner said.
Bradner still considers the circus an entertainment value and said $5-off coupons are available to help cover ticket costs.
“A family of four only has to spend $20 to come to the circus,” Bradner said. “It's good clean fun for the family.”
MORE INFORMATION
Circus time
What: Mizpah Shrine Circus, featuring performers from the touring TZ Productions circus and members of the Peru Amateur Youth Circus from north-central Indiana.
When: 7 p.m. today; 10 a.m. and 2:30 and 7 p.m. Saturday; and 1 and 5:45 p.m. Sunday.
Where: Memorial Coliseum, 4000 Parnell Ave.
What: Mizpah Shrine Circus, featuring performers from the touring TZ Productions circus and members of the Peru Amateur Youth Circus from north-central Indiana.
When: 7 p.m. today; 10 a.m. and 2:30 and 7 p.m. Saturday; and 1 and 5:45 p.m. Sunday.
Where: Memorial Coliseum, 4000 Parnell Ave.