John Richards, chairman of the Irem Shrine Circus, poses with Boo Boo the Clown before last year’s show. The circus is still coming to town thanks to some quick thinking. Times Leader file photo

John Richards, chairman of the Irem Shrine Circus, poses with Boo Boo the Clown before last year’s show. The circus is still coming to town thanks to some quick thinking.

Times Leader file photo

Tired of ads? Subscribers enjoy a distraction-free reading experience.
Click here to subscribe today or Login.

We almost missed out on an annual tradition that’s been loved by all ages for decades.

That’s right. The circus almost didn’t come to town this year.

Due to work at the 109th Field Artillery Armory (some of you may call it the Kingston Armory, but that is not it’s name and it is not in Kingston), it looked like the 73rd Irem Shrine Circus would not be making its annual stop in Luzerne County.

We felt that was just a shame if for no other reason some of us in the office didn’t know where we would get our cotton candy fix.

But fear not. Thanks to some quick thinking the circus will indeed come to Luzerne County this spring.

According to a story in Thursday’s edition of the Times Leader, the “Billy Martin presents the Cole All Star Circus” will be held May 9 through 12 at the Irem Shrine Center pavilion in Dallas.

“We hope to have seating for 500 people per show,” said John Richards, Irem Shrine Circus chairman. “Everybody will have a clear view of the show.”

We couldn’t be happier.

The show will feature two rings, and even though this show will be a bit of scaled-down version of past shows, a little bit of circus is better than no circus at all.

And even better news for those that are concerned about the well-being of circus animals, all performers in the show will be humans — that’s right, no animal acts.

According to Richards, there will still be plenty to delight young and old alike. Richards promised aerial acts, unicyclists and much, much more.

Popcorn, hot dogs, water, soda, pizza and, yes, even cotton candy will be on sale.

The circus allows the Irem Shrine to go out and participate in fundraisers to support the mission of Shriners. He said a golf tournament this summer will raise money that will be used to transport children to Shriners’ hospitals for treatment.

We encourage everyone to check out one of the seven shows circus performers will put on between May 9 and 12. Show times are: May 9: 7 p.m.; May 10: 7 p.m.; May 11: 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and May 12: 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.

After all, who doesn’t love a circus?

– Times Leader