Circus approved for Springdale performance

SPRINGDALE -- The circus is coming to town after receiving City Council approval Tuesday.

The council authorized The Great Benjamin's Circus to be held from Friday to Sunday behind the Pachanga Club, 431 N. Old Missouri Road.

At a glance

The City Council also approved appointing Betty Andrews to the Springdale Library Board.

Source: Staff report

"We travel 10 months a year and we travel all over the U.S. and Canada. We've been to Arkansas plenty of times, we've just never been to Springdale specifically," said Rachael Estrada, booking agent for the circus.

The Great Benjamin's Circus, which is based in Dallas, is a traditional family circus without wild animals. However, performing dogs are featured, Estrada said.

"We are a people-based circus," Estrada said. "It's traditional stuff you would see at a circus."

Such traditional acts include clowns, juggling, acrobats and aerialists, Estrada said.

Great Benjamin's is a third-generation circus family originating from Mexico, according to the circus' website.

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Advance tickets can be purchased on the website at www.benjaminscircus.com, Estrada said.

"You save quite a bit if you buy online," she said. "We encourage advanced ticket sales."

The event will have a roughly 600-guest seating capacity, Estrada said.

Springdale had two circuses and a carnival in 2016. Great Benjamin's is the first circus applicant in the city this year, said Melissa Reeves, public relations director for the city.

The council also approved Police Chief Mike Peters' request to amend his department's 2017 budget so he can use $10,500 from the asset forfeiture account to purchase a dog.

The Springdale Animal Shelter Foundation raised $3,650 and Shiloh Christian School raised $400 toward the dog's purchase.

The $4,050 of asset forfeiture money not spent on the dog because of the donations will be moved back into the asset forfeiture account after the dog is purchased, Peters said.

NW News on 03/15/2017

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