That’s right, the Illustrious Potentate, for all of ya’ll that have heard the Ray Stevens song “The Shiners' Convention”: you get it, right? Any way, my family and in-laws, along with all of our children, went to the Shiners' Circus this weekend and they really played up the whole shriners theme. They had over-elaborate parading of men in cars, bikes, and other vehicles that defy description. There were clowns, elephants, snakes, ponies, and tons of people. All in all I would have to say that the first half was pretty good. I don’t really know about the second half; as the kids (ages 1-3 with them being 4 in number) all were quite restless and under-napped. We, parents had been equally fatigued. Wild horses could not have made me want to stay another second. The acts were mildly impressive but the amount of preparation and training could not be denied. Not too bad for a $10 ticket. Now if your little girl were to hear “Elephant Rides in the center ring”, be prepared to pull out another $10 if you are brave enough to let your little one on the gigantic mammal alone. Otherwise pull out a twenty and keep telling yourself that it is for a good cause. Everything was quite expensive when you entered the facility but again tell yourself “it is for a good cause…..hope I don’t have to hock the car for this pony ride.” I have listed a few of the photos I took during the event. And, really, ignore my pessimistic skepticism. It IS for a good cause and worth the money. Just park closer than we did, that was a long walk back to the car with my daughter screaming in the night.
