By Tricia Pursell
SELINSGROVE — Step right up to an old-fashioned big top circus at the Selinsgrove Speedway on Monday.
Visitors can ride a camel, see a Royal Bengal tiger, watch the trapeze artists, clowns and jugglers — and much more — at the Lewis & Clark Circus.
Show times are 5 and 7:30 p.m.
A portion of the proceeds will be given to the Shamokin Dam Lions Club, which has been sponsoring the event for the last 10 years. For the last five or six years, the event has been held at the speedway.
“This has probably been the best pre-sale of the circus,” said Michael Aurand, a member of the Lions Club. “The surrounding communities have responded tremendous this year. We have those people to thank for giving us these monies now to continue to do what we do. I don’t think these clubs could do it without the support of so many people out there.”
The European-style circus will include tigers, camels, horses and llamas, and will feature clowns, acrobats and aerialists. The midway will offer face painting, camel and pony rides, and a free children’s petting zoo, as well as a giant slide ride. All of these attractions are open one hour before the first show.
Fans are invited from 6 to 8 a.m. to watch the show setup.
“I think it’s a great family outing,” Aurand said. Over the years, the Lions Club has sponsored different shows in the area, but because the biggest draw was always for the circus, they decided to make it their one big fundraiser for the year.
“The tent is generally full (each year),” he said. “It’s been going well for us, and we continue to try to be involved with it.”
During a recent phone solicitation, area residents were asked to donate to the club, and by doing so, complimentary passes were given to children to attend the circus. Tickets at the event are $12 for adults and $5 for children who do not have complimentary admission.
