Carson and Barnes Circus makes positive impression
<span>CHESTER -- The Carson and Barnes Circus came and went on Sept. 17 and reaction to its visit has been primarily positive.</span>
<span>"I couldn't be more pleased," said Chester Mayor Tom Page. "I've heard nothing but good things for the most part and people are wanting it to come back next year.</span>
<span>"I think Patti Carter did an excellent job of coordinating it for the city."</span>
<span>Carter, the city's recreation director, said it was hard to estimate total attendance for the one-day, two-show event given the number of free tickets available.</span>
<span>"We're guessing between 850 and 950 on attendance," Carter said.</span>
<span>Originally planned for the Field 1 parking lot at the Cohen Complex, the circus was moved to the nearby soccer field to give Carson and Barnes more room. With inflatables, petting zoo and elephant rides, the circus took advantage of the added space.</span>
<span>"The circus picked up their mess, they didn't leave things in bad shape, I was very impressed," Page said. "It wasn't any sideshow, it was well put on."</span>
<span>Page said he was expecting the soccer field to be torn up by the elephants as the first circus visit in roughly eight years entertained area fans.</span>
<span>"It wasn't really that bad," Page said. "It's a little bit of work, but nothing that can't be put back to where it was."</span>
<span>The day of festivities began early, as all 650 students at Chester Grade School were bused to the Cohen Complex for a circus pre-show event that included juggling demonstrations and pet tricks.</span>
<span>The students were also given a brief presentation on the circus's Asian elephants, Del Rita and Wimpy, by trainer Tabatha Wiggins.</span>
<span>"We haven't had the circus in so many years," said Chester Grade School Principal Tim Lochhead. "This was an opportunity for our kids to come out and at least see before the circus.</span>
<span>"Our gym has been condemned for two and a half years and it was one of those things where we needed to get (the students) out here to do something different because we haven't had those assemblies."</span>
<span>A couple of hours after the students left, it was the Chester Fire Department's turn to be part of the fun before the first show began.</span>
<span>Fire Chief Marty Bert, Assistant Fire Chief Ron Shemonic and firefighter Jarrod Hasemeyer took part in an "elephant shower" with circus personnel.</span>
<span>After that, attendees were treated to performances that included clowns, trained horses, the "Globe of Death" and much more.</span>
<span>"It's an amazing experience," said Carson and Barnes Ringmaster Jairo Ojeda, who is in his first year with the circus. "It's the oldest circus family here in the United States and this is the 78th edition.</span>
<span>"This is also the only tented circus of this magnitude moving every single day."</span>
<span>Ojeda said it takes three and a half hours to set up the circus and another two and a half to take it down. Circus officials said Carson and Barnes visits roughly 220 cities a year.</span>
<span>"We try to travel together, but you get the little things like flat tires, having to stop for fuel," Ojeda said. "Most of the time, we try to travel as a family."</span>
<span>For more circus photos, check out the Herald Tribune's online gallery. Also, visit the Herald Tribune's Facebook page to see a video of the elephant shower.</span>
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