Families flock to military night at the circus

As they interacted with the clowns, tried on costumes, participated in juggling acts and watched an elephant create a masterpiece painting, the crowd was enthusiastic and anxious for what was about to come.

"The reason I have made the Military Appreciation Night a tradition for the circus is because it gives military families a chance to have a fun, affordable night together. There is not always time for families to bond, but by coming to the circus, it gives them chance to make memories together," said Heidi Keirn, manager, event marketing and sales for South Feld Entertainment. "I love to see all of the smiles and hear the laughter. I want military families to have a chance to have fun and know that we appreciate them for all that they do."

An elephant stands proudly by her artwork that was given away during the preshow.

"We came to the circus because we have a two-year-old and its military night. We got our tickets through the ITT office on base," said Angie Reid of the Navy Operational Support Center Jax.

The circus kicked off with a group of clowns performing followed by Guest Ringmaster AC1(AW/SW) Gregory West, the NAS Jax 2007 Sailor of the Year, who welcomed the crowd. As the NAS Jax Honor Support Team presented the colors, Ringmaster Chuck Wagner sang the national anthem. The entire floor was suddenly alive with performers and animals as they paraded in front of the crowd.

The crowd cheered as numerous performers displayed their talents throughout the night. There was the Sankar family demonstrating the art of contortion, amazing the audience as they manipulated their bodies into pretzels. And the famous Torres family who's precision on motorcycles inside a 16-foot steel sphere seemed extremely dangerous as they actually managed to fit seven cyclists going around inside at one time.

Cricket the Clown greets AT2 Nathan Norlock of Fleet Readiness Center Southeast and his son, Wesley at Military Appreciation Night.

Other acts included the Flying Caceres, a group of trapeze artists, the Kassaev Cossacks performing daredevil moves on the backs of galloping horses and Wellington "Super" Silva, a high-wire performer who has been nicknamed "Spider-Man because of his ability to walk upside down about 30 feet in the air. In between each act, groups of clowns led by Clown Tom Dougherty performed numerous skits.

Of course, there were also the elephants, tigers, horses, some llamas, goats and even a pig.

"The circus was so colorful and exciting. I really loved watching the trapeze artists," said ACAN Stephanie Gallespie of Fleet Area Control and Surveillance Facility Jax after the show.

"It was great, we really enjoyed the show. I especially liked the motorcycles," said Alexis Williams. "My favorite part was the horses and the motorcycles," added her husband, AE1(AW) Derrick Williams of Consolidated Maintenance Organization 11 as they headed home.

The circus will be in Jacksonville again in January 2009.

Members of the NAS Jax Honor Support Team proudly present the colors at Ringmaster Chuck Wagner sings the national anthem at the beginning of the circus.

Military members from NAS Jax meet some clowns backstage during intermission.