Circus Coming To Rock Falls July 9

The Carson & Barnes Circus is back in town! Scheduled to make an every-other-year visit to Rock Falls, this is the year the circus will be back for two performances at Gieson Motorsports on E. Rt. 30. Event day is Wednesday, July 9, preceding the Rock Falls Chamber’s Third Annual Cookout on July 12-13.
“All of a sudden, it’s going to be a busy week here at the Rock Falls Chamber,” said Chamber President/CEO Doug Wiersema.
“It’s a lot of work planning for the cookout and now with the circus deciding to come the same week, it’s going to be extra busy.”
But Wiersema isn’t too concerned about it. “We have our volunteers in place for the cookout and with a couple of years behind us, it’s pretty routinee. But the biggest help this year for the circus is coming from Freedom Bank. We put out a plea for help and they answered the call. We’re very happy, and relieved, that they stepped forward.”
Joining the volunteers from Freedom Bank will be veterans Sally Scanlan of Community State Bank and Rock Falls Mayor Dave Blanton. Both have had experience in running the circus, including ticket sales, and everything should run very smoothly.
The traditional American three-ring circus under the Big Top is alive and well as Carson & Barnes Circus enters it’s 72nd season of performing. This year they are doing a “Salute To America” edition. The spectacular parade of performers from around the world will dazzle you with red, white and blue! From the lively frolicking opening where everyone is invited to be a clown all the way through the high energy of the topsy turvy tumbling “Carnivale” finale, the audience will be swept up in the magic that is circus!
Two shows, one a matinee and the other in the evening, will feature a program that includes:
The Incredible Flying Fernandez Family featuring a triple somersault
Brothers from South American walk across the wire on a seven man high!
The giant Wheel of Destiny features feats of balance and agility blindfolded
The biggest and most stunning aerial ballet from high atop the circus tent
A daring motorcycle ride up the wire while a woman performs on a bar suspended below
Miller’s Majestic Prancing Ponies – always a hit with children of all ages
The best elephant act performing under a big top