LIMA — The circus is coming to town again.
The Allen County Fairgrounds are known for circus-style events, but the Great Pages Circus will bring the real thing to the venue this weekend with multiple shows.
“It’s an exciting event,” promotions and operations manager for the fairgrounds Troy Elwer said. “We’ve had them here for lots of years. They will have a variety of different shows within the event.”
Anyone interested in going to the circus will have two chances Friday, April 19 and Saturday, April 20 with shows at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Friday and shows at 3 and 6 p.m. Saturday. One show will be at 1 p.m. Sunday, April 22. Tickets are $20 with two free children ages 3 to 12, $3 for each additional child or $10 for students age 13 to 17 and can be purchased online at bit.ly/4aCKuCh.
Elwer said the Allen County Fair has smaller circus-style acts, but they do not compare to the real thing.
“I think it fits the mold of what the fairgrounds are all about,” he said. “We don’t have anything to the size and scale of what the Great Pages Circus brings in. I think it’s a unique and exciting opportunity for anyone who is an avid follower of circuses and wants to full experience.”
Events such as camel and pony rides and aerial acts and shows featuring clowns and animatronics will bring special interactions with the audience.
“The performers are very interactive with the people that come to watch the show,” Elwer said. “And it’s also very family-friendly. I know this time of year in Ohio, the weather is kind of hit-and-miss, so having the events indoors is a good opportunity for families to spend some time together and enjoy quality entertainment.”
Elwer added that he is looking forward to seeing the reactions of kids in attendance.
“It’s really heartwarming to see the enjoyment and experience they have with shows like this,” he said. “And that’s really what a large part of our mission here at the fairgrounds is. This show fits that mission and mold perfectly.”
It is important to have events like this at the fairgrounds during the offseason.
“We’re most well known obviously for the fair in August, but we’re a rentable entertainment space the other 350 days out of the year and we’re always in search of vendors and promoters that bring in diverse sets of entertainment,” Elwer said. “And the circus is a class act. You don’t really see them come into town very often, so it’s a unique opportunity that folks can look forward to.”
For more information, call 941-870-7444 or visit the circus website, pagescircus.com/about-us/.
Reach Jacob Espinosa at 567-242-0399.