Traveling circus dazzles at Butler Farm Show grounds
CONNOQUENESSING TWP — Parents and children gathered under a massive blue and yellow tent Friday evening at the Butler Farm Show grounds.
Beneath it, the Zerbini Family Circus dazzled spectators. From clowns to cotton candy, foot juggling to face painting, animals and amazement, you name it, the traveling show prompted gasps and applause from the crowd.
The family circus has been running for more than 30 years, according to Darinka Zerbini, a hula hoop performer with the big show.
“I’m the sixth generation of the circus,” she said. “We’re on the road for nine months out of the year, beginning in February and ending in Montgomery, Ala., in October.”
Members of the family were many hats to put on the show, running offstage in one role and coming back out again to assist the next act.
The show began with a slack line routine, where a stuntman rode a unicycle, juggled and balanced on a wire.
Meanwhile, vendors sold popcorn and funnel cakes to wide-eyed children like Grace Counts, 5, who came with her dad CJ.
Counts, of Butler, said he brought his daughter because they both wanted to laugh that Friday evening.
“Grace and I are a couple of clowns looking for a good show,” he said. “I’m most excited to spend time with her, but she really wants to see the clowns and get silly.”
The Counts got their wish, as a clown named Andy set the crowd laughing by bringing in unsuspecting audience participants.
BJ Tipton, of Sarver, was pulled from his seat and into the ring to participate in a bit where he dressed in a ballerina tutu and elephant ears, at the request of the clown.
“It was unexpected,” he said. “That’s not really my thing, but the kids seemed to like it.”
Puppies, donkeys and ponies also made an appearance under the big top, jumping through hoops, balancing on barrels and performing routines. During intermission, cautious children and adults were invited to get their photos taken with a 10-foot python.
Trapeze and hula hoop artists, as well as performers balancing on towers of chairs left many onlookers speechless, including the Counts.
“We’re loving it,” Counts said after the first act. “I’m glad (the circus) came around. We’ll probably make it our tradition to come.”
The Zerbini Family Circus has two more performances on Saturday at 2 and 4 p.m. at the Butler Farm Show grounds.
