CRESTVIEW — Loomis Bros. Circus is returning to Crestview for its fall "Funtastic Tour," sponsored by the Crestview Historic Preservation Board.
Circus presentations are 90 minutes long and set for 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Nov. 10, 11 and 12, and 3 p.m. Nov. 13 at Old Spanish Trail Park pavilion, on Stillwell Boulevard in Crestview.
Full-priced admission is $20 for adults and $8 for children ages 2-12. Coupons for “Free Kids Tickets” are available at most merchants throughout Okaloosa County. There are also a limited number of discounted advance-sale tickets available from the preservation board by calling 240-4053. Tickets may also be purchased, with cash only, at the circus box office on the day of show.
All seating for the circus is general admission and doors open approximately one hour before each scheduled show time.
Featured performers include "the amazing Ashton Family, performing an extraordinary display of Risley acrobatics … the mesmerizing Cassandra: 'Woman on the Moon' performing a most unique aerial display… and James Plunkett, the 'Sultan of Silliness,' with his sidekick Cleo the Camel in a riotous demonstration of the bond between man and beast," a media release stated.
“This year, we’ve added a live band to our show,” said circus producer and ringmaster Justin Loomis. “The band is very versatile and performs everything from the circus classics to today’s latest hits.”
“We also continue to carry on circus tradition by featuring exotic animals including White Siberian and Royal Bengal tigers along with the only mixed herd of both Asian and African elephants currently touring North America.”
In a media release, the company stated, "In light of recent announcements made by many circuses, both in the United States and internationally, regarding the removal of elephants from their shows, we would like to take a moment to inform the public on our stance regarding the subject.
"Facts show that elephants that have grown up in the circus do not adjust well to non-circus environments. They simply cannot survive without the care and interaction of humans. Releasing a circus elephant into the wild would be detrimental to their health and safety. Circus elephants are under 24-hour supervision, receive a nutritional diet and superior veterinary care. There are strict regulations set forth by government agencies on local, state, and federal levels that must be followed. The care given to our elephants not only meets these regulations, it exceeds them.
"The population of elephants in the wild has been severally dwindling over the last few years. In Africa, there are open hunting seasons for their ivory. In Asian countries, the serious loss of habitat has caused the Asian Elephant to become nearly extinct.
"We believe that education is the best weapon in the fight towards keeping elephants in the circus and we urge the public to become informed on the subject, and see through the negative propaganda. It is our greatest fear that animals which have lived in a circus their entire lives will be taken away, put into unsafe environments, and become forgotten … likely leading to their extinction.
"…At Loomis Bros. Circus, we strongly support the bond between human and animal. Therefore, at this time we will continue to display elephants in our circus for as long as we legally can.
"However, time could be running out. Many states have already passed, or are in the process of proposing, new laws against the display of elephants and other animals in a circus."
This article originally appeared on Crestview News Bulletin: Loomis Bros. Circus returns to Crestview