Moila Shrine Circus returns to the Civic Arena

By Jazmine Knight

The Moila Shrine Circus returned for its 69th year this weekend.

Hosted at the St. Joseph Civic Arena, the show features fun for all ages.

Ringmaster, Peter Sturgis, says he’s been with the circus for over 30 years. Sturgis loves hosting the circus. He says “this is what I choose to do in life.”

“I love to be around the circus. I love to see people have a good time smiling, laughing, and I encourage them to scream, holler, you know, have fun,” Sturgis said.

He says the circus is full of great people And when it comes to his favorite part, “[he’s] not prejudice.”

“I love all of it. I love the circus, everything about it. The animals are taken good care of,” he said.

“We’ve got a dog act where one dog climbs up 15 feet. No, not dragging him up there, he climbs up.”

For attendees Cohen, Asher and Dexten, they all had a great time.

Asher’s favorite act was seeing the motorcycles ride high in the air. While Cohen and Dexten’s favorite part was riding an elephant.

“We got to experience riding something very big,” said Dexten.

“It kind of felt rough and soft.”

When asked what they were still looking forward to seeing, Asher said “the ring of fire.”

Asher also loved seeing “the silly clowns.”

For Dexten, his goal at the circus every year is “trying to earn a giant bear.” And he’s confident that he’ll get lucky this weekend.

Each boy even got their face painted. Asher was painted as Iron man. Cohen and Dexten were mini spiderman’s.

According to Sturgis, the Moila Shriners is an organization that helps childrens with hospitals all across the U.S. This is at no cost to the families.

“If you have a child that has some sort of handicap or something like that, the Shriners take care of it,” Sturgis said.

Sturgis encourages everyone to come out to the circus if they haven’t already.

“It’s a great show, it’s clean, it’s for families. Grandmas, grandpas, everybody loves the circus.”

Shows continue through Sunday, March 10th beginning at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the venue.