An entertainer will be shot out of a cannon for the first time at the 72nd annual Jaffa Shrine Circus next week.
Starting Monday, the Royal Hanneford Circus will be returning to the Jaffa Shrine Center in Altoona. Along with the monkeys, dogs, elephants and tigers, the trampoline and contortionist acts will be returning, as well as the Jaffa clowns, which are always a favorite, Bill Troxell, circus administrator said.
Elephant rides are available for children before the evening shows and during intermission and before and after the weekend shows. Elephant rides are not available during the daytime shows during the week because a lot of schools are there for field trips and not all parents attend with their children. Refreshments are available, including hot dogs, popcorn, soda, water and cotton candy, among other snacks and drinks.
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Grandma the Clown is one of the perpetual crowd-favorite Jaffa Clowns in this year’s Jaffa Shrine Circus, which runs through next weekend.
Troxell estimated 3,500 people would probably come to see the circus throughout the week.
"It's nice, cheap family entertainment. A family of four, you can come in there for under $50, $60 and have a really good time. It's a good show, and it's really good entertainment," Troxell said. "It's something for all ages."
Kids of all ages attend the circus, even babies, but he said, children 4 years old to grade school probably enjoy the show the most.
Fact Box
If you go
What: 72nd annual Jaffa Shrine Circus
Where: Jaffa Shrine Center, 2200 Broad Ave., Altoona
When: April 11 through 17
Times: Monday through Friday, show times are 11:30 a.m. and 7 p.m.; Saturday at 10 a.m., 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sunday at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m.
Tickets: From $9 to $15 can be purchased at the Jaffa Shrine Center or by calling 944-5351 from Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. or Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon.
Show times are 11:30 a.m. and 7 pm. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m., 3 p.m. and 8 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. Sunday.
Ticket prices range from $9 to $15, depending upon the location of the seats. Tickets can be purchased at the Jaffa Shrine Center, 2200 Broad Ave., or by calling 944-5351.
Money raised from the circus pays for the operations of the Jaffa Shrine Center, Troxell said.
"We put it on to help keep the building going," he said.
