Ringmaster Billy Martin and his circus is returning to Altoona for the Jaffa Shrine Center's 84th annual event, promising a "fantastic show," according to Shrine marketing and social media coordinator Daniel Ramsey.
Martin has been "around the world in the circus industry," Ramsey said, and his experience always brings a fun time to the Jaffa circus.
The all-ages event will also feature acrobats, trapeze artists, show horses and even the "famous" Jaffa camel, Ramsey said. In addition, the in-house Calliope Clown troupe will perform.
Beginning Wednesday, April 10, and running through Sunday, April 14, the circus will host two performances a day. Shows will be held at 11:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. April 10-11; at 11:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. April 12; 1 and 7 p.m. April 13; and 1 p.m. April 14.
Children's tickets begin at $14, with adult tickets starting at $18.
While seats closer to the action will cost more, attendees shouldn't fret, Ramsey said, because "there isn't a bad seat in the house."
The 6,216-square-foot main exhibition space comfortably seats 800 patrons, and can be reconfigured to suit a variety of different events.
In 2023, the circus drew approximately 14,000 people over the five-day event, and is on track to hit their goal of 18,000 attendees, Ramsey said.
Tickets are "extremely limited," he added, so circus hopefuls will have to act quickly at either the Jaffa Shrine website or the box office, which is open 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The continued success of the circus can be attributed to "the fellowship and philanthropy of the Shriners, and what the Jaffa Shrine does as a whole for the community -- to bring a fun atmosphere to the metropolis of Altoona," Ramsey said.
Proceeds from the circus will go toward supporting the Jaffa Shrine, which works to benefit the 22 Shriners Hospitals for Children spread across the United States, Canada and Mexico.