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Under the big top
Published November 19, 2009
ANGLETON — Brent Mitchell’s attention didn’t waver from a spinning metal contraption on which an acrobat climbed two stories above the ground.
A woman daredevil walked inside a large ring at one end as a man climbed out of his end and jumped rope on top of the metal cylinder, drawing a gasp from the crowd when he almost fell.
“There’s a lot of amazing acts and stuff,” said 9-year-old Brent of Danbury. “I thought he’d fall off.”
Sponsored by the Exchange Club of Angleton, the Carson & Barnes Circus at the Brazoria County Fairgrounds includes aerial acts, trapeze artists, animal shows, clowns, daredevils and comedy acts. There are shows including lights, music, food and a variety of attractions, with performances today at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m.
“I’ve been to a circus before, in Houston,” Brent said as children lined up for elephant rides during intermission at one of two shows Wednesday. “It makes me feel good … great. It’s a lot better than TV. And movies.”
One mother in the crowd said “horses” in a hushed tone and her son gasped as a Clydesdale was led into the arena, along with llamas, Shetland ponies and elephants holding onto one-another’s tails with their trunks. A clown performing a comedy trampoline act brought laughs from the a crowd of about 500 people after a rider guided a motorcycle up the high wire and spun upside down.
A ringmaster in a purple tuxedo kept the acts moving, even when a clown lost his pants on the high wire.
Brent’s 6-year-old brother, Kyle, kept his attention on the motorcycle.
“There are cool things here,” Kyle said. “That motorcycle thingy is cool.”
Earlier in the day, Devin Soliz was there to watch the tent rise on the first circus he’s ever seen. The Angleton 4-year-old joined about 100 onlookers at the raising of the big top. Dozens of men pounded stakes, tightened winches and tugged on ropes connected to a massive, 2,000-seat tent.
“They’re putting the tent up, then people go under it and the circus starts,” Devin said. “They do tricks inside, like juggling and rides, an there are clowns. I like clowns, but my sister doesn’t.”
Devin’s cousin, Evan Soliz, also 4, didn’t have as much to say as the big red tent went up.
“I like the elephants,” Evan said.
Unlike olden days when elephants pulled the big top to its peak, tractors and manpower got that job done Wednesday, Carson and Barnes spokeswoman Amanda Pippin said.
“We don’t use them for that anymore,” Pippin said. “It’s a traditional American circus like the one you saw when you were a kid. Animals are the most important part of our circus family and we want to make sure they stay that way.”
R.C. Cade, 4, of Angleton enjoyed the sights and sounds even before the show began.
“This is great,” he said with a smile. “I went to a zoo before. I like all the animals, especially the zebras. They have stripes.”
Shara Nelson of Lake Jackson brought her children, Zadok, Aliyah and Sunni, to watch the tent go up.
“This isn’t something you see every day,” Nelson said. “It’s an awesome opportunity for the kids and we get to see the behind-the-scenes stuff.”
After laying one finger on his cheek and looking to the sky in thought, Zadok, 4, said he most enjoyed the animals.
“I like the hippo and the giraffe and the camels,” he said before deciding there was no giraffe, but there were elephants. “They eat grass and drink water.”
Aliyah, 5, was allowed to get up close with some of the animals.
“I like the camels,” Aliyah said with a wide-eyed grin. “I got to pet ’em.”
Gloria Soliz was happy to spend time with her family Wednesday morning.
“And we don’t have to drive to the big city to see it,” Soliz said. “It’s nice that the circus is here in our community.”
Tickets are $18 for adults and $8 for children, and “buy one get one free” coupons are available at the box office, Pippin said. All proceeds from the circus will benefit the Brazoria County Veterans Memorial Ring of Honor.
John Lowman covers Brazoria County for The Facts. Contact him at 979-849-8581.
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Carson & Barnes Circus
Brazoria County Fairgrounds, Angleton
Shows: 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. today
Tickets: $18 for adults, $8 for children; buy one, get one free coupons available at box office
Proceeds: Benefit Brazoria County Veterans Memorial Ring of Honor
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