The Poplar Bluff Lions Club will be hosting an outdoor circus complete with acrobats, clowns, elephants and even dinosaurs June 28 and 29 in Ray Clinton Park.
"We have not had an outdoor circus in Poplar Bluff in a while," Lions Club member and Circus Committee Chairman Kelly Spradling said.
Under the air conditioned big top, the Carson & Barnes Circus based out of Oklahoma, will perform three shows during their two days in town.
The first show will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 28 followed by 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Friday, June 29.
A portion of advanced tickets sales will benefit the Poplar Bluff Lions Club.
Advanced tickets are $14 for adults and $6 for children.
"It's a significant savings," Spradling said.
Tickets will be $20 for adults and $12 for children the day of the show.
Advanced tickets can be purchased now at Farmers Insurance - Kelly Spradling and River Radio.
Advanced ticket booths will also open Thursday in McLane Park and in front of the Colton's annex on North Westwood Blvd.
Spradling added several coupons are circulating throughout town for free children's tickets to be picked up at the Lions Club ticket booths.
The Colton's annex ticket booth will be open from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. through the week and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday.
The McLane Park ticket booth will be open from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. through the week and 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. Saturday.
Both ticket booths will be closed Sunday.
Spradling encourages attendees to get their tickets early not only for the cost savings and helping the local Lions Club, but there is also a chance the shows could sell out.
VIP parking will be available in Ray Clinton Park, 272 Park Avenue, for $10 per vehicle. All parking proceeds will go to the Poplar Bluff Lions Club.
Folks are encouraged to come early for pony and elephant rides and a petting zoo before the shows, Spradling said.
"We are very fortunate to have the Asian elephants this year," she said.
Attendees can expect dazzling aerialists, high-flying trapeze artists, jugglers, camels, horses and more while under the big top.
For the first time, creatures from millions of years ago will collide with animals of today in Circus-Saurus.
Tyrannosaurus, Deinoychus and a Woolly Mammoth will come to life under the big top for a trip back to the prehistoric ages.
"We are pretty excited to host this event back in Poplar Bluff," Spradling said.