Est 1906, Detroit, MI
 The Shrine Circus is Detroit’s hometown circus.
Founded in Detroit, the circus has performed annually for
over 100 years. From famous animal trainer Clyde Beatty
and the Flying Wallendas to the bittersweet humor of Shrine
Clown Emmett Kelly, the Shrine Circus bring a family show
that’s thrilling, heart warming, and affordable.
The first Shrine Circus in the world, Detroit’s
Circus is still the largest, with one of the finest clown
units. According to John H. McConnell, author of Shrine
Circus: The Circus with a Heart, the longest running Shrine
Circus is also one of the most innovative. It features
an intimate setting where everyone sees and hears and feels
the magic of the circus.
The Shrine Circus was established in February 1906 as
a way of lifting our spirits during the dead of winter
and has been a springtime tradition ever since. It quickly
spread throughout the country and today, collectively,
it may be the most attended circus, notes McConnell, in
his book, “Shrine Circus: The Circus with a Heart.”
The idea for a “winter show” to raise funds
for the Shrine originated with William H. Baier, a Shrine
member. Russell G. Pearce placed the initial “help
wanted” ad for circus performers on Dec. 2, 1905.
 By 1906, Detroit was a thriving commercial and manufacturing
center with a budding automobile industry. Circuses were
common forms of winter entertainment in the city. But the
Shrine Circus made news. Here’s how the Detroit Free
Press characterized the first circus: “With a crash
of cymbals and a blare of horns, punctuated by the discordant
cries of barkers setting forth the merits of various side
show attractions...From peanuts to baby elephants, from
side show to ‘Grand’ concert, nothing was lacking
to make the circus a complete success. ... Clowns which
caused the spectators to laugh themselves almost into convulsions
disported themselves around the ring at frequent intervals.
Seldom does an audience of such proportions so generally
abandon itself to merriment as did last night’s gathering.
The rafters fairly seemed to tremble with the gale was
at its height.”
Shrine Circuses expanded throughout the country by the
1920s, featuring wild and domestic animal acts, feats of
human daring and extreme skill, and the Shrine clowns.
As the major fundraiser for the local Shrine, the Circus
is the visual centerpiece for the organization.
Bill Jackson, past Shrine potentate and circus administrator,
is credited with summarizing the importance of the Circus:
“The Shrine
is our fun. The hospitals are our philanthropy.”
Many changes in society have impacted the circus as an
entertainment experience. While circus audiences waned
through the 1990s, they have grown in recent years. Some
present themselves as lavish shows while others are focused
on acrobatics and music. The Shrine Circus remains a traditional,
affordable family entertainment experience with the timeless
qualities that charmed the first audience in 1906 -- raising
funds that remain in the community supporting the work
of the local Shrine.
As McConnell notes, the Shrine Circus inaugurated an
entirely new entertainment concept in America. Today, it
may still be the most attended circus - “the circus” for
many families in large and small towns across the country.
Thanks to the Shriners, this show will go on.
Please feel free to contact
Circus Director - WIlliam Petrocy
(acpetrocy@aol.com)
if
you have historical information to be added.
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