Two lucky circusgoers were given a camel ride when the Kelly Miller Circus visited Edwardsburg in 2008. (Argus photo provided)

By JESSICA SIEFF

Edwardsburg Argus

As mythical as it is in storybooks and on screen, the circus is coming to Edwardsburg and in one day, its exotic creatures and characters will roll into the village set up for a night of entertainment and excitement only to slip away under the cover of night, as if it were a dream.

The Kelly Miller Circus had been coming to Edwardsburg every other year for several years, an event sponsored and coordinated by The Edwardsburg Lions Club.

“It is huge,” said Edwardsburg Lion Tanda Stiffler.

For years, the Lions Club has been bringing the circus to the area, she said, as one of the club’s big fundraisers. Fundraisers such as this help the Lions Club with its service to the community such as building ramps for the handicapped and sending those in need of eyeglasses or surgeries to the necessary eye doctors.

The club also helps in ensuring children in need get early eye exams.

“A lot of kids don’t have their eyes checked until they’re in school,” she said. Doctors can catch problems quicker, she added between the ages of 1 and 5. The Lions Club helps in getting those exams done for children.

All of the money that comes from ticket sales “goes back into the club to do the events that we do and support the community,” Stiffler said.

As exciting as the circus itself, she added that often, parents can be found bringing their children to watch the set up of the circus, the legendary process of bringing in the animals and raising the tent.

During the event, there will be plenty of activities including the possible opportunity to hitch a ride on one of the circus’ exotic creatures.

This year, the club hopes to see good community turnout as many businesses and residences are coming off a tough economy.

There will be two showings Friday only at 4:30 and 7:30 p.m.

“When it’s over, that night they are packed up and gone,” Stiffler said.