WIN TICKETS To see the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in Asheville

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Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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ringlingbros_2014The Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus returns to Asheville today for a stay through the weekend.

Leave a comment on this blog post and you’ll be entered to win a family four-pack of tickets. Winner will be picked this afternoon. Go!clown1

Ringling clown Andrew Hicks has been performing with the circus for four years. The Goldsboro, N.C., native said his work with the circus has been a dream come true. Hicks got hooked as a child by reading a clown college handbook. He started learning how to juggle, ride a unicycle and perform in front of an audience.

Hicks jumped at the chance to audition, and has working ever since.

With the Ringling Gold Unit, Hicks is on the road 11 months out of the year. He’s one of three clowns in the unit, and he interacts closely with the audience. He and his clown colleagues weave a narrative that is an integral part of the show, rather than just filler for transitions between acts.

“This is more storyline driven, but I don’t like to be the focus. I like to be one of the characters that you just notice is being funny,” Hicks said.

Just before coming to Asheville, several performers in a Ringling unit in Rhode Island were injured in an accident. Hicks, who said he rappels from ceiling rigging in his show, said safety is of the utmost concern. “I and all the performers feel safe,” he said, adding that his thoughts were with the injured performers. clown2

As he donned his own style of clown make-up, Hicks ticked off some of the tools of the clowning trade: the right kind of grease-based make-up that is water resistant; his specially made clown nose; and a steamer trunk which he lives out of while on the road.

“The steamer trunk is sort of an old-school tradition. Some are passed down. Sometimes we go steamer trunk shopping. You’re looking something with the right mix of storage” for clothes and costumes, Hicks said. He added that he acquired his trunk from a retiring Ringling clown.

Hicks said he enjoys the close audience interaction that Ringling clowns see in today’s shows. When asked if he were planning for something beyond the circus, Hicks said he had no plans beyond his current gig.

“Being a Ringling clown really is a career,” he said, “and I love it.”clown3

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Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

  • 1

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23 Comments

  1. Dawn May 13, 2014

    Would be a great for the grand boy’s birthday……

    Reply
  2. Me May 10, 2014

    The circus??? Really? You want your kids to think it’s alright to abuse animals? Why don’t you take your kids to a bondage show – same thing as
    Circus, just no animals. Total bs.

    Reply
  3. Jason Sandford May 9, 2014

    Loyal reader Stewart had a problem posting the following comment, which I’m sharing here:

    “When I look at animals held captive by circuses, I think of slavery. Animals in circuses represent the domination and oppression we have fought against for so long. They wear the same chains and shackles.”
    – Dick Gregory
    To learn more about the circus, go to http://www.ringlingbeatsanimals.com./

    Reply
  4. Hazel May 9, 2014

    Forget kids, I want to go with my friends!! please please please please please please

    Reply
  5. John Mitchell May 9, 2014

    My wife and son (5 year old) would love it. Thanks!

    Reply
  6. Jason Sandford May 8, 2014

    We have a winner! Congrats to melinda!

    Reply
  7. Sharon May 8, 2014

    Thanks for the opportunity Ashvegas! Would love to take my family

    Reply
  8. AnneMarie Ransmeier May 8, 2014

    Loved the circus as a child and would love to share this with my son who is ten and has never been !!!!

    Reply
  9. Holly May 8, 2014

    This would be fun to take my 3 yr old to and I haven’t been in forever either. A perfect Mother’s Day weekend outing!

    Reply
  10. Jenny May 8, 2014

    Oooh oooh ooh, pick me please, my 5 year olds birthday was Monday, this would be great for his birthday week 🙂

    Reply
  11. melinda May 8, 2014

    I love the circus and so does my little guy!

    Reply
  12. chris May 8, 2014

    My daughter just turned 4 a trip to the circus would be a great way to celebrate.

    Reply
  13. Brian May 8, 2014

    My 3 year old panicked and we had to leave last time we tried the circus- love to try again now that he’s 5.

    Reply
  14. Susan May 8, 2014

    I haven’t been to the circus since I was a child, and my two year old daughter is obsessed with Madagascar 3! She would absolutely LOVE to see the circus in person, especially since she is now familiar with all the animals!

    Reply
  15. Adrienne May 8, 2014

    I think my 3 year-old would have a blast at her first circus experience… I’d love to take her and her grandparents.

    Reply
  16. jank May 8, 2014

    I wanna see it! I hope everyone goes, I hope they crack some whips and let the blood fly! its gonna be awesome!

    I bet all the a’hole dog owners that think their mutts more deserving than children will be out there holding up signs and scaring all the little kids.

    good job folks. just say YES!!!!

    Reply
  17. Rob May 8, 2014

    After a long work week, trip to the circus sounds great!

    Reply
  18. Gretchen May 8, 2014

    I can’t believe that it is 2014 and people still think it is OK to capture wild animals, abuse them (oh… I mean train them) & bring the kids for a fun family night to witness this very sad event… Come on people – put an end to circus cruelty – stop supporting these events! Bull hooks, whips, sticks, starvation, cramped in pens….. and all in the name of family fun! Humans baffle me.

    Reply
  19. Missy May 8, 2014

    Still a kid at heart…..I wanna go 🙂

    Reply
  20. Brea May 8, 2014

    My 4 year old would love it!

    Reply
  21. Kelly May 8, 2014

    35 years old and I have never been. Show me what I am missing!

    Reply
  22. Charles May 8, 2014

    just Say NO to the circus…..

    Reply
    1. Matt May 9, 2014

      NO, circus. No.

      Reply

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