Cole Bros. Circus is old-fashioned entertainment

By Brian Freskos
Star-News Online

Camels and elephants will be in Wilmington April 2-5 when the Cole Bros. Circus celebrates its 125th anniversary as part of the Azalea Festival.

Cole Bros.’ “Circus of the Stars” is the world’s largest circus held under a big top tent, said circus Co-chairwoman Valerie Watkins.

This year the circus will feature elephants, camels, clowns, acrobats, trapeze artists, aerial gymnasts, the Human Cannonball and motorcycles in the Globe of Death, according to the Azalea Festival’s Web site.

Watkins said the event also will include a domestic dog act and a seven-man pyramid performance done on a high wire.

The event is called “Circus of the Stars” because the inside of the tent looks like a planetarium – dark blue like a nighttime sky, with bright, shimmering stars all over, Watkins said.

She said people of all ages will enjoy the varying performances.

According to circus attendance records, there has been a ratio of one adult per child, according to the Cole Bros. Web site.

The circus puts on two shows per day, one in the afternoon and one in the evening. On April 4, the circus will perform three shows.

The shows contain approximately two hours of entertainment, Watkins said, and there is an intermission after about an hour.

Reserved tickets are $15 for children 12 and younger and seniors over age 62, and $20 for adults. A VIP ticket costs an additional $5.

Watkins recommended that people purchase tickets before April 1 at the festival’s box office, 5725 Oleander Drive, unit B7.

Tickets also can be bought online at tickets.com or on the Cole Bros. Web site, www.gotothecircus.com. After April 1, tickets can only be purchased at the circus box office.

The show takes place at 1740 Airport Blvd., by Wilmington International Airport

For more information, visit the Cole Bros. Web site or ncazaleafest.org, or call (888) 332-5200.

Want to go?
What: Cole Bros. Circus.
When: 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. April 2-3; 1:30, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. April 4; and 1:30 and 4:30 p.m. April 5
Where: 1740 Airport Blvd., by Wilmington International Airport.