There will be snarling lions and high-flying acrobatics at McMinnville Civic Center this Saturday.
Circus Pages will be in town with its unique blend of daring stunts and family fun. Two shows are set for 3 and 7 p.m.
“We have some great new acts this year, along with the ones audiences have grown to love,” said ringleader James Earhart, who was in Dunlap preparing for two performances Wednesday when contacted by the Standard. “We have a new aerial act where five girls are in the air at the same time, and Colleen is now doing the routine with the lions and tigers all by herself. She used to be in there with her father, but now it’s just her. She’s pretty confident for a girl who only weighs 100 pounds, but I get nervous for her.”
Circus Pages has been making annual trips to McMinnville for years. The circus makes over 200 stops a year and performs two shows at each location.
Dani the Clown makes his debut with Circus Pages this year and is involved in three skits – one with kids, one with adults, and one on a trampoline. A quick change costume act is also new this year.
As for popular mainstays, Earhart says the Globe of Death will return, even after a gruesome accident inside the globe during a performance a week ago. The Globe of Death features three motorcycles inside a steel globe. The motorcycles ride upside down and all around the globe.
“Usually if there’s a crash in the globe, we all three get piled up,” said Earhart, who is one of the three riders. “The suspension on one of the bikes broke when he was up top. It got him and collected the other one in the crash, but I got out of it by the luck of the draw.”
In true circus form, Earhart says the show must go on and the Globe of Death routine will be part of Saturday’s show. The always-popular elephant rides will also be available.
Adult ticket prices are $15 each. Two children are admitted free with each paying adult.