DALLAS, Pa. — For more than 70 years-, the most daring acts have filled the 109th armory in Kingston for the Irem Shrine Circus. It's a tradition in Luzerne County.
"They remember going to it and they remember the joys they had. They want to make sure their children, their grand children, their Great grandchildren get to go and experience those joys," said David Richards, Second Vice-President of the Irem Shrine Uniformed Unit.
The same seats have been filled for 72 years by families and Shriners. Irem Shrine Circus Chair, John Richards says it's been a tradition in his family.
"Three weeks after I was born, I was at the shrine circus, and that whole time, I only missed it three times," said Richards.
But this year it's a stray from that tradition. The Irem Shrine Circus won't be happening this year due to renovations at the armory.
"Normally, today we would be at the Kingston armory starting our 73 shrine circus; we'd actually be in the show right now," said John. "For years every Monday after Easter I had a routine of what I did.. And today it was really hard getting up and not following that routine."
Instead of setting up the three rings - as he has for 35 years, John Richards is working to keep that tradition going in a new way.
"Irem's always tried to provide a quality, affordable entertainment circus for this area. Now, this circus is not the usual three-ring circus you're used to seeing at the armory," said the circus chair.
Instead, the show will still go on at the Irem Shrine Center in Dallas. The group will be hosting Billy Martin's Cole All-Star Circus.
It'll be a smaller, scaled-down, single-ring performance. There won't be animals or cannons due to cost and size restrictions. But, the performance will bring in new acts, like the world's largest slinky named 'Slinko'. It'll also have aerial acts and keep many of the same performers that so many have grown up watching.
"You'll be right up tight with the performers. Best analogy that I have is that if this is a horse race, you would be right on the rail as the horses go by," added Richards.
John Richards has been working months and traveled thousands of miles, to make it happen. The goal was to keep the tradition going, while also still making it affordable and accessible for families.
"We're taking some of the old, and we're making it new. And we're making it new. And we're trying to provide this area a place where a family of four or more can bring their kids to a circus, see a great show, and go home with some money in their pocket," added John Richards.
A reminder that the beloved tradition of the circus isn't about where it is, but what it means to those who have filled the seats for the past 70 years.
"The smiles- the joy, the laughter that they have, and the pure amazement that they have. It's something you don't think about growing up. But when you get older, you look at it, and you realize that's really what it is all about," added David Richards.
Billy Martin Presents Cole All Star Circus will be held at Irem Shrine Center from May 9-12th. Performances will be held on May 9th and 10th at 7 p.m. There will also be three performances on May 11th, at 11 a.m, 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. There will also be two performances on May 12th at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
The cost is $5 for anyone under 14 years old and $10 for people 15 years and older.
Refreshments and novelties will be sold, just as they were at the Kingston Armory.