The Shrine Circus returns to Lincoln
Posted by: Laura Wilson
lwilson@klkntv.com
LINCOLN–Step right up!
The 71st annual Shrine Circus is in town.
"We’re going to have a Mongolian strongman. From Chicago, we have the Chicago boys–an absolutely unbelievable tumbling group that’s here this year. We have the giant globe of death–we’ve got three of them. It’s really amazing,” said Circus Owner James Plunkett.
It’s not just a circus–it’s the biggest fundraiser for the Sesostris Shrine, in Nebraska.
"The Shrine is an organization where we take care of kids with spinal and orthopedic problems, and cleft palate. We take care of the kids,” said Circus Director Doug Dessel.
And even if you went to last year’s Shrine Circus, you can expect an entirely different show this year.
“Every year, it’s in our contract we have to bring between 70-80% new acts. This year, we have a lot of new stuff that people are going to be excited about,” said Plunkett.
One of the most exciting draws for kids happens before the circus even begins.
"You’re actually seeing animals and what they can do,” said Tabeosh Nix, who had just gotten finished riding on an elephant with his friend, Ashton Neseitt.
“I’ve never seen animals at a circus before. It would be awesome to see tigers elephants in real life,” Neseitt added.
According to Plunkett, this is the only circus in the country that has both Asian and African elephants.
And new this year, children will get to ride on Cleo the camel too.
"This is a real circus with lots of real animals, the way their grandfather probably saw it years ago. Who knows how long it will be able to stay the same. If you get a chance, it’s the memory of a lifetime for a young child,” Plunkett said.
All money cleared, after circus costs will go directly to the Sesostris Shrine.
The Shrine Circus kicked off Wednesday night, and will run through Sunday, at the Lancaster Event Center.
For more information on show times and ticket prices, click here.
