Has Anyone Been to the Shrine Circus Before?

[Rhonda Dunaway]

I just added the Shrine Circus to our February calendar. Has anyone been to this particular circus before? What did you think? I'm interested to know how it compares to the Ringling Brothers Circus and whether one circus is markedly better than the other.

I'm sorry to say that I have not been to the circus since I was about 7-years-old, but am now contemplating taking Aidan. When he asked me what we'd see at a circus, I could only describe it from my distant memories. Do they still have that act where dogs run around in little dresses and perform tricks? Or, has our society supposedly evolved beyond this point?

[Moderator]

Hey Rhonda,

I haven't been to the circus in years, probably at least ten. Anyway, I searched and found a cached review from last March on a Shrine Circus (On a side note...who knew there was a site called 'CircusNews.com'? Jeez, there's a site for everything!). Now, there are different companies of Shrine Circuses, so I don't know if this review pertains to the actual one that's performing in Omaha, but I'm willing to bet their show is very, very similar (it sounds almost exactly like the show I saw years ago):

http://www.circusnews.com/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=2152

The most important to thing to remember about the circus is that it will cost you lots of money!!! They make a killing on concessions, souvenirs, and toys. Yeah, yeah...you can make sure the kiddies eat lunch or dinner before going, but trust me, once they get there they still want some cotton candy, popcorn, pop, etc. And good luck getting out of buying some over-priced piece o' junk souvenir or toy, so be prepared and bring some cash!:)

~velveetah

[pabarker]

Very funny - and all true. It's been expensive for a long time. The fact that Rhonda has completely forgotten that we went to the circus on a date while in college somehow makes it seem even more expensive.

[Rhonda Dunaway]

Pa Barker is never ever going to let me live this down. He said, "Don't you remember that weird guy who was trying to sell us flashlights?" And, I said, "Sorry, but I don't." Then Pa Barker said that the guy told him, "Hey, you can use this to find her in the dark!" To which Pa Barker supposedly replied, "I don't need it. I already know my way around pretty well." I told you Pa was romantic.

In defense of my not remembering our circus date, I'd also like to submit that Pa and I dated for 5 years and have been married for 24, so it's not like it was all yesterday.

[Cher Klosner Lane]

Too funny Rhonda - those hubbys of ours are priceless :)

I can't help you with the circus - I took my son once, and he didn't like it - it was just too loud for him (and me) - he kept saying "Can we go now, mommy?" He was 4 - we haven't been back to either one... And I think they still have little puppies in skirts - so much for evolving :rolleyes:

Cher :)