Circus arriving in Eldon

ELDON ? The Wapello County Regional Fairgrounds will come to life with tigers, elephants and daredevils when the legendary Shrine Circus rolls into Eldon Friday.

The circus will provide two performances at 4:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. on the fairgrounds.

The Shrine Circus show includes a chance for audience members to enter the circus ring before, during intermission, and after the circus to meet the stars, ride ponies and elephants, and take photographs.

The Kaaba Shrine will host a pre-party for those who like to clown around, at 3:30 p.m. prior to the 4:30 p.m. show and at 6 p.m. prior to the 7 p.m. show.

The circus? Michelle Audrey is the only female ringmaster in the world, and performers are from 15 countries.

Bo the Elephant will perform tricks with other pachyderms under the direction of trainer Larry Carden, and tiger trainer Vicente Pages will show off the talents of a troupe of Siberian white tigers.

Tickets, purchased one hour prior to show time, are $12 for children 12 and under and $16 for adults. Information on show times and tickets is available at www. 2011circus.com.

The Shrine Circus is a fundraising event for the Kaaba Shriners and helps to promote philanthropy and civic service in the community.