Mizpah Shrine Circus send off, 2023.

By Patrick Webb
InkFreeNews

FORT WAYNE — Since 1947, the Fort Wayne Mizpah Shrine has hosted a circus, and will continue the tradition this year.

According to Steve Trump, director of the Mizpah Shrine Circus, the circus started because they needed a fundraiser to maintain their buildings and facilities in Fort Wayne. Trump attended a circus as a third grader in the 1950s, and joined the Shriners in 1984. He has been the director of the circus fundraiser for 14 years.

Originally, students were driven to the circus in cars, said Trump, until the number of cars driving together became too dangerous, so students began to ride in buses. Many school districts have gone for decades. Wawasee schools started going in the 1960s and Warsaw elementary schools have gone for over 30 years. All school districts in Kosciusko County, and surrounding counties such as Whitley, are welcome to participate, Trump said.

Students prepare for their trip. Previously, students would wear color coded beanies for the schools, then in the early 2000s, they switched to painting T-shirts to wear for the circus. Parents volunteer as chaperons.

“The majority of the kids have never been to a circus. There are curricular activities, discussions, and just the plain ol’ excitement of going somewhere new. They read non-fiction books about the circus, they write what they think it will be [like] and then again when they come back, they compare and contrast how a circus animal lives differently than the animal in its real habitat… In math they practice their graphing skills on how much the different animals weigh. They also learn about money [and] how much to take. They practice making change from a $20 bill.”

— Cindy Kaiser, former Milford Elementary School principal, 2013.

Buses are given a police escort to the circus. Each school district brings one or two officers from their district, and travel on US 30 to the Memorial Coliseum. Past convoys have included over 30 school buses and up to 1,000 students.

“There’s a lot of partners in this,” said Trump, “Everyone gives a little.”

For past convoys, a wrecker has gone in case a bus broke down, along with extra buses. Local Kosciusko Shriner clubs, such as in Leesburg, have packed lunches for the students.

Trump does not participate in the convoy. He arrives at the coliseum two to three hours before the event begins for preparations. It is worth the whole year of planning, he said, to watch from the stairs as thrilled busloads of kids unload.

There is no cost for students. Local shrine clubs in Kosciusko County raise funds to pay the coliseum for the performance. Over 150 Shriners volunteer to help direct students, sell novelties and to maintain a lounge for the bus drivers with coffee and donuts.

The shows go on despite the weather, according to the Mizpah Shrine Circus website. If schools have to close due to the weather, or have two hour delays, they will miss the convoy, Trump said, because they wouldn’t be able to get students to the circus and home in time.

Trump is excited about this year’s acts, the circus is “always trying to mix it up, stir it around and do things better.”

Confirmed acts so far include:

• Tarzan Zerbinis Gentle Giants, the Circus Elephants
• Tigers
• America’s Show Camels
• Circus Clowns
• High Wire/High Wire Balance
• Aerial Artistry/Aerial Ballerinas
• Feats of Dexterity/Masterful Manipulations
• Captivating Canine Capers
• Original Wheel of Thrills
• Flying Trapeze
• Globe of Death
• Dare Devil acts

Families have shown their appreciation for the performances. Trump recalled receiving a letter from a group of kids from LaGrange County. Their visit to the circus was the first time some had visited Fort Wayne and had left LaGrange County.

Teachers sometimes have their classes write thank you letters, Trump has received up to 150-160 at one time. “I try to read them all,” Trump said, and to respond if any require one.

Many parents appreciate the show being family friendly and not worrying about the show’s content.

Motorcycle Stunt Team 2023. Photo provided by Larry Solheim.

“It’s just clean, good family fun,” Trump said.

Many families, like his own, have been going for generations. After Trump, his children went, and now his grandchildren.

The first Shrine Circus was held in Detroit in 1906, according to Michigan Day by Day, a history blog.

Performances begin at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan 26, and at 10 a.m, 2:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27. The last performance will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 28. Pony and elephant rides will be available before and after each performance in the circus fair.

Tickets are $16-25 for adults and children over two. Tickets can be purchased online at mizpahshrinecircus.com via TicketMaster and in person at the Memorial Coliseum Ticket Office, 4000 Parnell Ave., Fort Wayne.

“Come to the circus,” Trump said, “We’d love to have you.”