So close to joining the circus

The closest we've ever come to joining a circus is to become such very good friends with Billy and Angela Martin, Struppi Hanneford, Benito and Dulce Aguilar, Kim Sue and Vlastic Valla, and a host of others with Royal Hanneford Circus. Springfield became the crossing roads where we all came together this weekend. The Shriners had booked the Royal Hanneford Circus for their local Ansar Shriners Circus. We were nearly awestruck when we got to walk in the back door with them and were greeted by the elephants just a few feet away.

Before each show started, the pony and elephant rides were kept busy. The lines were long and filled with eager little and big kids who wanted their chance to do something exciting. We walked around and drank in all the hustle and bustle and energy from the busy setup to the fresh popcorn to the cotton candy being made in the back.

Billy gave us great seats on the arena floor near the side entrance and elephants' props.

Soon the lights dimmed, the music played, and the great spectacle began! Angela made this wardrobe herself! She's a very talented aerial artist and has now added creating fabulous costumes to her long list of skills.

The tigers were first. There were five white Bengal tigers and one reddish and black Bengal tiger. They were beautiful and so ferocious looking.

Three aerialists performed above the three rings. Angela was in the center on trapeze between the other two on web and chiffon. They made everything look so effortless. It was spellbinding to watch.

Billy and Vlastic (a.k.a. "Roger") lightened up the mood with a hilarious skit about Roger, the reluctant substitute trampoline troupe. We laughed so hard every time. Their timing is impeccable and their slapstick comedy is top notch.

The past two week's we've been enjoying the PBS special, "Circus" and were thrilled to see the Flying Cortes live, in person, at the circus! On Circus, the Flying Cortes is brought in to replace another flying troupe when they are unable to complete a triple. The Cortes do this with flair and make it look effortless! Be sure to tune in Wed., Nov. 24 for the last installment of Circus on PBS.

Even little Ysabella joined the troupe on the flying trapeze in Springfield.

There were many other great acts - however my little camera wasn't able to catch clear shots of those. The circus fun also included Benito Aguilar's amazingly quick juggling, Zoppe's Rhesus monkey review and Afghan hounds, the Aerial Vallas' cradle acrobatics, Benito and Dulce Aguilar's quick change, elephants, and lots of circus clowns.

For the finale, all the performers came back out and stood around the center circle while the US flag was raised up high in the middle. The crowd jumped to their feet and we felt like the luckiest people in the world to have enjoyed the show from our seats on the arena floor.