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Circus atmosphere Mail Tribune / Drew Fleming A clown presents a balloon fashioned into a dog to Chloe O�Brien, 3, as her brother Elijah, 4, and sister Shelby, 8, and others look on. The O�Briens and other families packed the Jackson County Expo on Friday in the first day of the Jordan World Circus sponsored by the Jackson County Shrine Club. The circus continues today with two shows. Big Top comes to Central Point, despite protests By JILL BRISKEY CENTRAL POINT � There�s nothing in the world that can compare to a circus, according to Jackson County Shrine Club President John Huffmanby. If the smell of popcorn and cotton-candy don�t reel you in, the performing animals and high-wire acts will, Huffmanby added. "There�s all kinds of things to see and do," he said of the Nevada-based Jordan Family Circus. "People of all ages can come and enjoy." Both human and animal performers from the circus arrived in the Rogue Valley on Friday, setting up at the Jackson County Fairgrounds inside the Compton Arena. The group will perform twice today, at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. In addition to exotic animal performances, this year�s event features the "Circle of Death," Huffmanby said, an event featuring motorcyclists driving around in a steel cage. Other activities include pony and elephant rides, face painting and entertainers. Huffmanby said the event, which has been a tradition since the 1950s, appeals to community members of all ages. Most of Friday�s visitors agreed with that statement. "I like the bears," Kiana Deberry, 5, of Medford said. "They played lots of games." Cora Dennisen, 81, of Bend was in the area visiting her family and decided to take her grandchildren to the show. "The grandbabies are really just my excuse to come," Dennisen said. "I love these things, ever since I was a little girl." While the visitors eagerly looked on, a small group of peaceful protesters from Southern Oregon Animal Rights displayed signs that read, "We love the Shriners ... We the hate circus." About a dozen protesters stood on the sidewalk, passing out literature to interested circus attendees. "We want people to know what goes on behind the scenes," Alissa Weaver of Ruch said. "You need to use intimidation and domination to make these animals do those tricks. We just want people to think twice." "We�re not saying the animals are being beaten," Ashland resident and protester Ron Elterman said. "But (the circus animals) are being confined for long periods at a time. They should be in a more natural environment." Proceeds from the circus will go to the Shrine Club�s transportation fund, Huffmanby said. The transportation fund is used to help families or patients travel to Shrine hospitals, he added. Tickets, which will be sold at the door, cost $14 for adults; $10 for children ages 12 to 17; $35 for a family of two adults, two youths and two children; and children 11-years-old and younger are free. Doors will open one hour prior to each show and all seats are general admission. Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.