Fun at the circus

Screams and cheers could be heard coming from the Golden Mile Arena as Circus Gatti performed its afternoon show on Thursday.
Performing in front of hundreds of delighted children and their families, Circus Gatti did not disappoint.
"Sensational, absolutely the best time I have ever had at a circus," said Jennifer McCormick, 12.
Opening the circus was Leo the Circus Clown who had the children laughing in their seats.
"He was so funny. I loved it when he was a ninja clown," said McCormick.
The crowd went silent as the Circus Gatti Pixies came out to perform an aerial act.
"That was amazing. They would spin around and around, sometimes holding on only by their feet," said McCormick.
Sheyla Torales, from the Pixies, said it takes a lot of concentration to perform the act.
"We have practised a lot and have done many shows. We know what we are doing when we are up there," said Torales.
Next came the Miss Laura Harriet's Dog and Pony Review and Jeremy Hernedez, a juggler.
"It was amazing to see him juggle the fire, it was really cool," said Kaileya Roffey, 8.
Just before intermission, Leroy Ortiz, the Master of the Silver Strand, performed his high wire act.
Crisscrossing along the wire, 30 feet in the air, Ortiz gave the audience a real show. Jumping, spinning, and sitting on a chair while balanced on the wire, he had the crowd cheering. But it was not until he crossed the wire blindfolded that he had members of the audience on their feet.
"Are you crazy, he's going to fall, I can't watch this," said Liam Paterson, 3.
Ortiz gave a well-planned slip that made the audience gasp.
"I thought for sure he was going down," said McCormick.
During intermission, children were invited to ride an elephant, have their face painted, have their photo taken with a snake or play on an inflatable slide.
The second act began with Leo the Clown as he played with members of the audience.
"I think it was very well done how he would incorporate audience members in the act," said Shirley Watson, who had brought her granddaughter to the show.
Then came the elephants.
"That's why I came. I just love elephants," said McCormick.
Performing their tricks, the elephants received the largest cheers of the day.
"They are my favourite," said Amy Paterson, 5.
"They are just so big."

Colin Dewar can be reached at 691-1263.