The circus is coming, the circus is coming! These are words we have heard in America since 1906 when the first Shrine Circus began holding its annual event. The circus is held in over 120 cities in the U.S. each year, as well as over 40 in Canada. The Shrine Circus is named after the “Shriners,” also known as Shriners International. It often has another word prefacing the name, based on the host Shriners; for example, the Kem Shrine Circus, held in Grand Forks each year, or the El Zagal Shrine Circus, held in Fargo.

Detroit, Michigan played host to the first Shrine Circus held in 1906. Detroit calls its Shrine Circus the Moslem Shrine Circus, after the Moslem Shriners. The Moslem Shrine Circus is the largest circus held each year. The second show was performed in Milwaukee, Wisconsin at the Tripoli Temple. Shrine Circuses had grown throughout the country by the 1920s, featuring animal acts with lions, tigers, and elephants, feats of amazing human daring and extreme skill, and of course the laughable Shrine clowns. When the Shrine Circus was established in February 1906, the thought behind it was to lift our spirits during the dead of winter, and it has become a springtime tradition that we all look forward to. As the major yearly fundraiser for the local Shriners, the Circus is the visual centerpiece for the organization.

Through the years, the Shrine Circus has had many famous circus stars travelling with them, including Clyde Beatty, the Concellos, The Zacchinis, Emmet Kelly, the Hennefords, and the most recognizable and famous of all, The Flying Wallendas, who are best known for their high-wire acts and breathtaking ten-person pyramid.

In the 1990s some circus audiences diminished in attendance; however, in recent years circus attendance has shown progressive growth again. Some of the annual Shrine Circuses present themselves as flashy, lively shows, while others focus more on acrobatics and music.

I remember our annual visits to the Shrine Circus while my children were growing up in Grand Forks. They were filled with fun, laughter, and entertainment, for me as well as for my children. I remember the first time my tiny little 10-year-old son climbed atop the elephant for the intermission elephant rides and my heart skipped a beat. Then I saw the smile that adorned his face, and snapped his picture for a keepsake. These are some of the priceless moments that occur year after year at the Shrine Circus. It’s a family event, not just an event for the kids, and something that should become a yearly tradition. So grab your family and make it a tradition, beginning this year. Have some of the tasty cotton candy, or maybe some peanuts. Watch your children’s eyes as the show amazes them with high flying acts, the elephant show, and much, much more.

The Shrine Circus has been and will always remain a traditional, affordable family entertainment experience with timeless qualities that charmed the first audience in 1906. It raises funds that remain in the area to support the work of the local Shriners. Our Shriners do a great deal for the community, and it’s our obligation to support them. Have a great time at this year’s Shrine Circus!