The Kelly Miller Bros. Circus, founded during the Depression, is marking another milestone this year as it celebrates its 71st anniversary. It will visit Houston on April 6.
The all new 2009 season will feature elephants, horses, llamas, camels, clowns and a host of international circus stars, but each morning the public gets an altogether different kind of show as the circus lot comes to life.
Circus trucks pull onto the lot in the early morning hours, animals are unloaded, stakes are driven and elephants lift the giant Big Top into the air. The public is welcome to watch.
In fact, after the first of the four massive main poles that support the Big Top are set in place, the public is invited to step into the tent and see men and beasts complete their work. A knowledgeable circus veteran will be on hand to explain the action and answer questions about circus life.
This season, the Kelly Miller Bros. Circus will travel nearly 10,000 miles and give performances in more than 200 cities – through October. Sponsored by the Houston Area Chamber of Commerce, performances will be at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. at the Houston Area Chamber of Commerce Fairgrounds. The tent raising begins at approximately at 9 a.m.
Advance tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for children and can be purchased at Houston Dollar Shoppe, First National Bank, Corner Express, Infinite Entertainment, Forbes’ Pharmacy and Houston Area Chamber of Commerce. Ticket prices on circus day are $14 for adults, $7 for children at circus box office.