Family circus

Times Contributor     

 

A small band of circus performers entertained Strathmore families at the Civic Centre on June 4.

The Circus is a family owned business venture that travels throughout Mexico and the United States. This was the second year that they have travelled to Canada.

Jairo Ojeda lives in Texas and is the ringmaster. Along with his wife, there are 15 performers in the troop. The usual confections of cotton candy, peanuts and popcorn, along with neon trinkets, and clown noses were offered for sale to waiting patrons. Large helium balloons were the biggest hit.

Ojeda said sales go to support the travelling costs for the show. He said there were fifth, sixth and seventh generation circus performers in the group and some had performed with Ringling Brothers and the Shrine circus. Ojeda said the parent shows put up old-style tents and have larger animals in the act, but it is difficult to get large animals across the border. Ojeda’s troop uses only small animals in their act.

Ojeda and his wife perform with a group of trick dogs and Ojeda does an amazing hola hoop performance. There were two aerial acts, one performed on a trapeze and another on stacking chairs, with the artist touching toes to the ceiling. No nets were used and the small crowd held their breath, fearing what would happen if there were a fall. There was a clown act, a juggler and a contortionist. After their two performances, the show was moving to Stettler.