Moila Shrine Circus celebrates 70 years of successful fundraising

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) — St. Joseph residents were in awe and amaze this weekend with the 70th annual Moila Shrine Circus.

The civic arena was full of laughs and smiles over the weekend with performers from around the globe. Clowns, motorbikes, horses, aerialists and more all worked together to create one of St. Joseph’s favorite traditions.

Rex Strayer, one of the Shriners working at the event, said his favorite act was the quick change artists.

“We have a clothing change, a quick change artist, a man and a woman and they both change so it’s very, very good,” he said.

The annual circus is the Moila Shriner’s biggest fundraiser of the year. According to Strayer, the fundraiser keeps the Shrine, located at 701 North Noyes Blvd, alive and moving with memberships.

Strayer said the success of the circus is all in thanks to the St. Joseph community showing up each year and showing its support.

“Anytime you get people in here in the seats, it don’t make any difference- you’re doing good,” he said. “They really respect it and they come down here every year.”