DECATUR -- It was a night full of laughing and crying, gasping and cheering, and just plain fun as acrobats, clowns, tigers, elephants and camels from the circus rolled into Decatur.
The Kelly Miller Circus, established in 1938, brought a little taste of the international flavor to Decatur's Veterans Park Oct. 19 for two big performances. While a few of the acts originate from Sarasota, Fla., and Hugo, Okla., others come from countries such as Italy, Mongolia, Finland, Ethiopia and Peru. All share a common goal, to put smiles on the faces of children of all ages.
The circus opened with two guest ringmasters from Decatur. Mayor Bob Tharp opened the first performance and Justin Lovitt opened the second. Both did an outstanding job as they stood before a crowd estimated at around 600.
After the traditional circus overture, it was time for the big cats. Ryan Holder brought eight beautiful Bengal and Siberian Tigers to the center ring. The audience watched in awe as Holder put his big cats through their paces. This set the tone for the many outstanding acts to come.
The Decatur crowds were spellbound by the amazing acts, such as the Masters of Flight Zaya and Mendee, who were performing in America for the first time, and Anna Louise, the talented dancing elephant.
This is the second circus to visit Decatur in the last two years. Both were sponsored by the Decatur Chamber of Commerce. Ladale Clayton organized the event for the chamber with the help of Kim Wilkins, Janelle Cox and several other Decatur Chamber members.
"The Kelly Miller Circus management, staff and performers like Decatur so much that they began negotiations to return to our town sometime next year," Clayton said.
So if you missed this year's performance, check out the Decatur Chamber of Commerce and city websites for information on dates and times for next year's appearance of the Kelly Miller Circus.
General News on 10/28/2015