Flick on the multicolored midway lights, cue the boisterous and bouncy music, and send in the clowns.
The fez-wearing philanthropists known as the Yaarab Shriners of Atlanta don’t simply throw a fundraiser, they pitch a spectacle. Now in its 70th year, the World’s Largest Shrine Circus & Midway Carnival should be down to a celebratory science with its sprawling spread of rides and attractions, and old-school circus charm.
The circus
Although the traditional sawdust-in-the-veins circus experience has largely given way to extravagant arena shows and the highbrow cirque style, the Shrine Circus manages to retain that classic spirit. It bursts to life underneath the covered rodeo-style arena at Jim R. Miller Park in Marietta. A total of 24 shows take place across 10 days. A circus parade drops daily, with big-top entertainers marching through the festival grounds with a bit of bygone-era procession. The acts themselves remain prototypical. Aerialists such as the Flying Preciados cut through the air above with the greatest of ease. Patricia Zerbini presents an array of trained elephants. The Ives Brothers rev up their motorcycles inside a massive steel ball, looping together within the confined space without bumping tires. Other performances tap that soft spot in our circus psyche, including dancing bears, jugglers, choreographed horses and trapeze artists. Each show lasts approximately 90 minutes. If you miss the beginning, don’t cry in your cotton candy. Guests can attend as many shows in a day as they wish.
The clowns
The Shriners themselves slather on the greasepaint, slip on wacky costumes and transform into clowns for the festivities. This time-honored tradition finds many of them rolling up in their RVs on day one, setting up shop and living on the park grounds during the entire run. Known as the Red Devil Clowns, these volunteers become instant celebrities for the 10 days. Each clown comes up with his own persona, including the goofy cowpoke Buckshot and circus veteran Long John. Throngs of kids clamor for autographs, and clowns gladly sign their monikers in the circus program books. They can be found not only strolling throughout the fairgrounds, but also performing in the circus itself. The Shrine clowns bring the silly by performing a skit during each circus show.
The Midway Carnival and Fun Zone
A carnival with more than 50 rides and attractions brightens up the midway with color and light. Like most carnivals, it has its Ferris wheel focal point, yet other twists, turns and stomach churns beckon. Rides typically require two to four tickets, which can be purchased for $1 each or in a book of 22 for $20. Visitors looking to pack in as many attractions as possible can buy an unlimited-ride wristband for $20 (Monday-Thursday) and $25 (Friday-Sunday). Festival food wagons peddle funnel cakes, snow cones, elephant ears, pizza and all the expected high-calorie indulgences. The Fun Zone, a 9,000-square-foot play palace located in building A, makes its 2012 debut. With the purchase of a Fun Zone wristband, guests get access to loads of free games, from classic arcade games to racing simulators. Fun Zone wristbands cost $5 (Monday-Thursday) and $10 (Friday-Sunday). Children ages 2 and younger get in free.
Event preview
5 p.m.-midnight April 26. Pre-Opening Special featuring Midway Carnival access only. $5; $10 unlimited-ride wristband. Regular schedule: April 27-May 6. Midway Carnival hours: 5 p.m.-midnight Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-midnight Saturday; noon-midnight Sunday. Circus times: 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. April 27; 11 a.m., 1, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. April 28; 1, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. April 29; 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. April 30; 7 p.m. May 1; 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. May 2; 7 p.m. May 3; 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. May 4; 11 a.m., 1, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. May 5; 1, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. May 6. $10; $6 ages 6-11; free for children 36 inches tall and smaller. Admission includes access to Midway Carnival and circus. Jim R. Miller Park, 2245 Callaway Road, Marietta. 770-425-2331, www.circus2012.org.
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