By the first of September, Dover Mall will have quite the addition to its landscape. A 55-foot-tall tent the length of a football field will take over part of the mall’s parking lot for two days, entertaining nearly 2,000 guests per show with thrills and showmanship.
Here’s what to expect when the Cole Bros. Circus of the Stars comes to town.
1 Wild animals of the big top
The assortment of wild things in the circus tent is a veritable multi-continental zoo. Joining the group are white tigers, a liger, elephants, zebras, llamas and camels. More familiar but just as exciting, dogs and ponies will join in the show, too.
2 Clowns, human cannonballs and other crowd pleasers
Flying through the air with the greatest of ease, the Flying Ponces of Guatemala will brave the trapeze, while comical clowns cause a commotion and the aerial ballet on lyres take to new heights.
Kids of all ages gravitate toward the daredevils, including the human cannonball and wild riders on ATVs, according to senior marketing director Dan Baltulonis.
“The little kids love the four-wheelers because they have them and they see them doing jumps and wheelies,” he said
He said all ages agree one of the most incredible feats is one of the simplest: the woman who balances all her weight on one finger.
3 Trio of thrill riders
When the circus recently did a small survey, Baltulonis expected the tigers to score as the favorite act. They were close, but taking the top spot was the trio of motorcycle riders — a father, son and daughter — in the Globe of Death.
“The Globe of Death has been a fan favorite since we brought that back five years ago,” he said. “Everybody loves it because it’s a thrill act, and when they find out that one of the riders is a 12-year-old girl, everyone goes crazy.”
4 New and notable
Recently, crowds have been crowing about The Year of the Tiger act, according to Baltulonis. This is the first year for the tiger show, or at least the first show in a while. The act was suspended for six years, and now is quickly winning new fans and bringing back old ones.
5 The Cole Bros. difference
Baltulonis insists the Cole Bros. show is an ideal family outing for finicky teens and even great-grandparents who remember when the circus was the only game in town.
“They didn’t have the Internet back when they first had the circus come over,” he said. “They didn’t have teenage movies with special effects.”
The entertainment is family-friendly, so parents don’t have to worry about inappropriate language or material.
Cost is always an issue, too, so kids can enter free if they use the online coupons at www.gotothecircus.com.
Email Sarika Jagtiani at sarika.jagtiani@doverpost.com.
