The circus is in town

Clowns. Trapeze artists. Jugglers. Animal tricks.

These words can mean only one thing; the Big Top must be in town.

The Carson & Barnes Circus, hosted by the Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce, is scheduled to be in town this weekend with performances set for 2 and 5 p.m. Sunday at the Bourbon County Fairgrounds. Each show is about two hours long.

The FSACC is sponsoring the event as a fundraiser to support many of its local community projects. FSACC Executive Director Lindsay Madison said part of the proceeds from the circus will go to the chamber for its general operations.

Carson & Barnes, based in Hugo, Okla., travels with its city-block long tent to some 200 towns and cities each 10-month season. Performers are artists from around the world, including the U.S., Mexico, Peru, Chile, Argentina, Russia and Italy. Acts consist of aerial trapeze, high wire, motorcycle acrobatic teams, juggler and clowns, along with performing elephants, camels, dogs and horses.

According to promotional materials for the event, the Carson & Barnes Circus is "the world's biggest big top show" with two hours of fun, excitement and pageantry for children of all ages. The show includes elephants, horses, ponies and dogs performing amazing tricks in the center ring.

Spectators can be amazed and thrilled by the circus' extraordinary artists from around the world as they entertain with death-defying feats and exquisite artistry. Every seat is just feet from the action, the materials said.

Audience members who come early, about one hour before showtime, can enjoy a free petting zoo, plus elephant and camel rides.

According to www.carsonbarnescircus.com, the circus began its tradition in 1937. More than 30,000 performances have been presented to audiences numbering in the millions.

Advance tickets cost $12 for adults and $6 for children. At the door, tickets are $16 for adults and $10 for children. Advance tickets can be purchased at the Fort Scott Chamber/Visitor Information Center, 231 E. Wall St., which is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday.

The Carson & Barnes Circus last came to Fort Scott in 2011. More than 700 tickets were sold for those shows.

For more information, call the chamber office at (620) 223-3566.