Welcome to the Shrine Circus History

Shrine Circus History

The history of the Shrine Circus is provided by the Shriners at the local Shrines, raising over $10,000 a day for the Shrine Centers.

Right after the show closes, the Circus Committee renews its search for talent, acts and stars that would be available for next years show. They work at it all year long. Several months ago, the acts were selected and the contracts were signed. This vast assemblage of talent will never appear in total again anywhere, for after the last performance is over each act will travel to its next circus engagement. Some will go north, some will go east, some will go south, and some will go west. The performers are all professionals, having been gathered together from all over North America, many of them with European Circus experience.

Many youngsters who have atended past Shrine Circuses are now grown, and bringing their children and even grandchildren to laugh with the clowns, to be thrilled by the wild animals, and to marvel at the skill and dexterity of the aerial performers. The smell of tan bark and peanuts gets into their blood, and they become dyed-in-the-wool circus fans. Without them, there would be no circus. The people especially from your area, by actively supporting this annual event, have made it possible to continue the circus al these years. And each year the Shrine Center have endeavored to make the show bigger and better.

Were it not for the intense dedication on the part of our Nobility and their spouses, with their willingness to contribute their services in any way requested by those in charge, this circus would not be possible. Many of them hagve served in various capacities for over a quarter of a century, and the Shrine Center is greatly indebted to them. They sell peanuts, popcorn, cotton candy, sno-cones, balloons, programs, ride tickets, novelties, and advertising. They serve on various committees. Doctors takes care of medical needs. Nobles count tickets, operate a lost and found department, receive and settle complaints, buy all the supplies, and last, but not least, they pay all the bills.

On behalf of all the Shriners, our sincere appreciation to those who have patronized our Circuses for the past eighty-one plus years, and may we express the hope that you will enjoy many more in the future.

The clowns of the Circus

The clowns of the circus are the members of the shrine. Alot of the clowns paint sad faces to represent the sadness of the child who are in the Shriner's Hospital recieving care from burns and being crippled. While they are in the community with a local Shriner's Hospital, they greet the children by kissing and hugging them while they are happy to see that they are included too when the circus comes to town.

The Show

The children, teens, and adults finds the circus full of thrills, humor, and ongoing excitement from the lions, tigers, bears, elephants and more by seeing their tricks. For years, people from all over travel to see the show and to see the excitement their child or children wants to see. Children will watch the leaping tigers go through the ring of fire, and see the dancing bears, and hearing the roaring lions.