The Shrine Circus Returns to San Angelo

SAN ANGELO - Once again, school is back in session and the kids will soon have those all too familiar "free tickets" in their backpacks over the next few days. It's the event of the year that many children will remember for a life time.  

Beginning Wednesday, September 7, and on Thursday, September 8, The Carden International Circus will present the Shrine Circus in San Angelo. Showtimes are at 5:00 p.m. & 7:30 p.m., and doors will open one hour prior for pre-show festivities.

Jillian Kaplan, with Spotlight Event Marketing, said, "The Shrine Circus features dynamic Ringmaster, Ian Gardner, who navigates the thrills and chills, hilarity and awe. From aerialists to acrobats, contortionists and clowns; from high wire to horses, elegant elephants, 'Wheel of Destiny' and 'Motorcycle Madness,' audiences will be mesmerized by these tremendous feats of danger and hilarious antics. All this and more will come to life at the 1st Community Credit Union Spur Arena (200 West 43rd St.), with four jaw-dropping performances. Forget about video games…this stuff is real!"

Brett Carden is the producer of the Shrine Circus and comes from a long line of circus performers and animal trainers. Growing up in the George Carden Circus, Brett and his brother were raised with 14 Asian elephants.

His wife Cathy is a seventh-generation animal trainer who has carried on the circus tradition since her family began in the 1600s. At five years old, she was already performing in the bareback horse riding act presented by her parents in their circus, the Hanneford Family Circus. 

In 1998, Cathy joined Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey where she soon met her husband, Brett Carden. When the Cardens are not on the road, the whole family, including the elephants, reside on a farm in Missouri.

Cathy said she works with the dogs that will be performing a brand new act she is working on for next year, and also with the elephants.

"These [elephants] are magnificent creatures with big personalities, and, as with any other animal, their behaviors correlate to how they are raised. Unfortunately, there are animal activist groups who have plenty to say about the 'treatment' of circus animals. Although they lack the experience, expertise and knowledge of what a day in the life of one of these phenomenal beings is all about, they are the ones that push for them to be in the wild. You can't just take an animal who was raised in captivity and turn them loose; they'll die. My brother and I were raised with the same elephants my mother bred 45 years ago. If you take very good care of them, an elephant can live into their mid 60s. That's about 15 years longer in captivity under proper human care, with all the necessary grooming requirements, feeding and veterinary care. With performing as they do, it's actually very healthy for them; it's their exercise."  

The Cardens are very passionate about, and proud to feature their Asian elephants, camels, Arabian horses, ponies, Terriers and Poodles at the Shrine Circus.

In response to why the circus would be held at a smaller building rather than the larger coliseum, Cathy said it was decided by the Shriners. They opted to spend what funding they have toward helping ailing children, rather than spend more money on the cost of venue.  

She added, "The show is always more intimate in a smaller building anyway where the people are closer and feel more of a connection with the performers."  

Referencing the show they do in Springfield, Cathy said, "The place was very small, so we had to stay 11 days with repeat performances just so everyone could come see it. A lot of people say they enjoy a smaller show where they can see more, so it all works out. When I am performing and can look at the kids' faces, and interact with them, it's much nicer to perform that way."

So mark your calendars, round up the family, and be prepared for an evening of entertainment, for all ages, that will leave you with years of fond memories.

For more information on the Shriners, visit their website at http://www.shrinershospitalsforchil….

As for the event, tickets are on sale at www.supershrinecircus.com--General Admission only. The cost for children 12 and under is $16, and the cost for adults is $18.