The Reminder is making its archives back to 2003 available on our website. Please note that, due to technical limitations, archive articles are presented without the usual formatting.
Kelly Carrington Staff Writer Lions, tigers, and bears. Oh...wait that wasn't the show under the big top on Monday. Rather than performing bears, hoop-jumping dogs, and raging lions, the Shrine Circus was filled with acrobatics, BMX and dirt bike tricks, juggling and clowns. Horses and ponies were a part of the three-ring circus, held at the Whitney Forum, as the animals carried both children and adult members of the circus. Following Monday's matinee show, local North of 53 Shriner David Blatherwick thought things went quite good. Though he wasn't able to watch the whole show, he was able to stay long enough to see the crowd. Busses came in from as far away as Pelican Narrows and Sandy Bay, as well as The Pas. From the cheers and the smiles on the audience members' faces, Blatherwick says the circus went over very well. The Whitney Forum hosts the Shrine Circus every two years The show travels throughout Canada as it came from Brandon and was heading to Nelson House after Flin Flon. In the past the show has brought in bears and dogs, along with other animals. The trainer of the bears passed away and, as Blatherwick was told, the bears don't listen to other trainers. As for this dogs this year, the trainer was unable to get all of the paperwork to cross the border from the United States. And while many think of elephants as being a key circus act, Blatherwick says all exotic animals must go through quarantine when leaving the U.S. as well as entering back into the country. 'It's hardly worth bringing them anymore,' he said, noting that there is a hefty price tag along with the three-month quarantine. The children didn't seem to notice the lack of elephants as they were fixated on the men and children flying from swings to safety nets, men and women standing tall on horses, dirt bikes in the 'Globe of Death' and the man juggling children with his feet. Before the circus got started, pre-show entertainment filled the arena. Children were able to go on pony rides, have their picture taken with a snake, jump in the bouncy house and slide, and grab a snack for the show.
