The Williston Shrine Club Hosts Their 56th Annual Circus

The Williston Shrine Club is sponsoring their 56th annual Circus in Williston March 26th for two shows one at 4 P.M. and another at 7 P.M. at the Raymond Family Community Center in Williston, ND. "Murphy noted this year's event might be a littler earlier than normal, since they are "subject to the schedule," of the circus"

The Williston Shrine Club has sponsored the three ring circus for 56 years running with a wide fan base from all around the Williston Basin for many years. The group also collaborate in all the events and costume up as clowns to entertain all of the kiddies and adults alike. The local Shrine club consists of some 40 members who all serve as volunteers. Adding to the fun of the day is a local group known as the Cheerful Chaps. Murphy, along with Dave Brevik, Pat Hatlestad, Todd Parisien and Cal Melby make up the local clown troupe.

Brevik is serving as the circus chairman this year. Pat Murphy, a member of the Williston Shriners, points out that along with business partners throughout Williston there is support from merchants reaching from Watford City to Culbertson, Mont., along with Plentywood, Mont., to Ray and north to Grenora.

The Shrine Club also hands out many free tickets to the poorer families in the community to be able to attend the circus for free every year. Tickets are handed out at local sponsors for them to give away to any needy families that ask for them, or would like to attend and cannot afford to otherwise. "All of the area towns are involved in buying tickets that in turn are given away to customers and children," said Murphy

In attending the circus you get to see all 3 gigantic rings of pure unadulterated fun! There are wild animals of all kinds, included but not limited to tigers, bears, elephants that do all kinds of amazing tricks, ponies to ride, camels that give rides, panthers that you can get your pictures taken with, and all other sorts of beautiful exotic animals to ogle over!

Not to mention all of the beautiful performances that will be going on! They have had in the past motorcycle performances that go around in cages with two people doing acrobatics. A high flying trapeze that will ooh and ahh the crowd with the death defying stunts that the whole family pulls off without a hitch, or maybe two! Their are beautiful hoola hoop dancers and handsome performers for everyone to look at and applaud for. The possibilities are endless and the excitement is catchy!

The Williston Shrine Club Circus is an Event that everyone from all over the surrounding communities look forward to attending every year without fail, and everyone is always certain to be satisfied when the show is over! Everyone attending also knows that all the proceeds from the circus always go to a good cause also which also lead us all to want to attend the event even more!

Primary funding from this circus provides transportation for children from around the area to the nearest Shrine hospital. Presently there are 22 such facilities being funded across the country. The facility in St. Paul, Minn., serves as the closest one to us that specializes in spinal care, while also providing help relating to burns. The Shrine club also sponsors a lot of other worth causes and events that are worthy of our attention and donations. Please consider donating to your local Shrines Club or becoming a volunteer with them.