Run away to the Shrine circus

The Naja Shrine Circus performed in Philip, Sunday, July 10. The last time a circus performed in Philip was July 2005.

This one drew approximately 450 audience members to its two-hour show. It was accompanied by approximately 40 Shriners from western South Dakota to help out. Kids, as well as adults, took turns in elephant rides, camel rides, posing with clowns and with Spiderman, and in buying chocolate bars in hopes of finding a winning coupon for a bicycle. The heat of the day was bearable, especially if you had a snow cone in hand.

The circus, as with most things the Shriners do, was to benefit the Shriners Hospitals for Children, a nationwide network of hospitals. State, regional and local Shriners assisted with the circus. The most local group is the Four Rivers Shrine Club, with Kevin Neuhauser, Midland, as the club president and Joel Stephens, Wall, as its secretary.

The ringmaster encouraged still photographs. All who are young at heart should long remember when the circus came to town.