Circus Coming to Nearby Lyons on Thursday

Typically, if residents of the La Grange area are headed east to see elephants, tigers and camels, they're en route to Brookfield Zoo.

But that experience moves about a mile south of the zoo this Thursday when the Kelly Miller Circus sweeps into Lyons' Smith Park (Lawndale Avenue and 42nd Street) for two shows organized by the Lyons Parks and Recreation Department.

Kelly Miller is a travelling circus out of Oklahoma founded in 1938. The circus travels with a 25-vehicle fleet and puts up a 40-foot high big top tent for its one-ring show that features exotic animals (including elephants and tigers), dancing dogs, classic-style clowns and various acrobats, among other acts.

"We haven't really had a big event like this in town," said Eric Lawhead, director of the Lyons Parks and Recreation Department. "It's a good opportunity to bring something fun in at an inexpensive cost, bring some fun to the residents.

"We've heard nothing but good reviews of the show... It's a good opportunity to get out and see a circus [with] your family without having to go downtown or anything."

The show starts with a tent-raising on Thursday at 9:00 a.m., where one of the elephants helps raise the main pole. Two identical shows will follow, one at 4:30 p.m. and one at 7:30 p.m.

Tickets can be purchased at the Lyons Village Hall, 4200 Lawndale Ave., Lyons. Presale tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for children aged 2-11 years. Pre-sale tickets can be purchased on September 19 from 9 a.m.-7 p.m.. Tickets will also be on sale at the Kelly Miller Box Office on Thursday, September 20 for $15 for adults and $7 for children aged 2-11 years.