Bears, dogs and more
to perform under the big top
Photo courtesy of the Anah Temple Shrine Circus
CASTLE’S PERFORMING BEARS are part of the lineup of this year’s 50th annual Anah Temple Shrine Circus. The Anah Temple has once again contracted with the Royal Hanneford Circus of Sarasota, Fla., a professional touring circus.
By Scott Mitchell Johnson
Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE — This year’s 50th annual Anah Temple Shrine Circus, which kicks off its six-show run tomorrow night at The Forum in Presque Isle, will feature everything from performing bears to aerial artistry.
“We have Castle’s Performing Bears as part of the lineup,” said Jim Dwyer, one of the assistant circus chairmen for the Anah Shriners. “I don’t remember the last time we’ve had bears, so I think that’s going to be an excellent, unique act.”
The Anah Temple has once again contracted with the Royal Hanneford Circus of Sarasota, Fla., a professional touring circus.
This year’s circus production features the comedy of The One and Only Johnny Peers; jugglers extraordinaire of Argentina, The Oliveros; The Daring and Lovely Luisa performing on the aerial Roman rings; comedy canine stars, The Muttville Comix; The Amazing Jonathan, a champion of balance on the roller cylinders; amazing unicycle troupe, The Rinny Family; the astounding aerial artistry of The Marinof Duo; Duo A&A, who will demonstrate their extraordinary strength and endurance; The Urias Troupe, which will perform a terrific motorcycle globe act; Luisa, the Lady in the Moon; and the Anah Shrine Clowns.
“We have a motorcycle globe act,” Dwyer said, “and that’s an excellent act and something that people will definitely enjoy. It’s been several years since we have had an act like this. There’s a couple of highwire acts this year, as well, that are going to be tremendous.
“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, noting that before becoming a ringmaster, Van Buskirk was a performing unicyclist.
As a way of ensuring a successful local show, Dwyer, circus chairman George Watson, and assistant chairman Bob Palmer went to Bangor Saturday 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.”
The circus is always well attended when it stops in the Star City.
“For the last few years, we’ve had more than 14,000 people come to the circus. We draw people from the St. John Valley, western New Brunswick, central and southern Aroostook, and we have people that come up from the Danforth and Island Falls areas, as well,” said Dwyer. “When you look at the population that we have to draw from for an audience, I think we do a fantastic job.”
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 six months preparing for the arrival of the Shrine Circus.
“It takes about 130 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 Clowns 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 2, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Friday, May 3 and 10 a.m., 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, May 4. 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, York’s Bookstore in Houlton, Aroostook County Subways and 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 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.
“We really appreciate the support of our sponsors,” he said. “It’s truly a team effort, and we encourage everyone to come out and have a fun time at the circus.”
