Small circus brings big benefits to the community

Ina Golden

Besides being fun, family entertainment, just what do WE, the citizens of the Holly area derive from it?  How does having the circus come to Holly benefit us?

There are a variety of ways to analyze this event.  First, economically, the circus tends to spend its money in the cities and towns that treat them well.  Fortunately, Holly is among them, even though this is only our third year hosting the Kelly Miller Circus.  Food, fuel for 25 vehicles, animal feed, hardware supplies, and incidentals total over $3,000.  The circus travels with 86 people, 54 are employees and the rest are family members with children.  Circus employees also spend money in our town.  Morgan’s Boutique saw a surge of over $350 in one day due to the circus employees shopping in her store.  Local bars and restaurants were visited by the performers and circus staff as well.  The people who travel with the circus utilize our laundry mat, post office, and other stores.  It is safe to say the circus, itself, infuses approximately $4,000 into our town.

The Kelly Miller Circus is one...

Then there are the circus goers who sometimes arrive before the performances and stay in town to dine and shop after watching the event.  Many people show up for the 9:00 a.m. raising of the circus tent assisted by the elephants.  Over 1,000 adults and children attended the two performances last year on Wednesday, Aug.  17.  Some spent no money, except for tickets, and some spent a great deal.  If each person spent an average of $10 in town, then $10,000 was spent in Holly.  This year the circus is on Saturday, Aug. 18 and performances are at 2 and 5:30 p.m.  It is held in the field on N. Holly Road across from the First Baptist Church and Calvary United Methodist Church by Quick Road.  As in the past, the elephants will help raise the “Big Top” at 9 a.m. – it’s free and everyone is welcome.

 
And, there is the group who brought the circus to town – the “Friends of the Holly Township Library”.  The volunteers advertised, sought ticket sellers, made over one thousand “peanut packs” to promote the circus, put up posters, yard signs and flyers, and publicized the circus at the “Sights, Sounds, & Tastes of Holly”.  They also welcomed “Carlee and Charlie” the advance clowns for the circus who visited Aug. 2.  The clown couple made stops at Holly Kids, Magic Moments, Holly Convalescent Center, and Holly Township Library.  They ate at the Holly Donut Shop and Villagers Restaurant and they performed skits, told jokes, and included onlookers in their performances.  

The “Friends of the Holly Township Library” netted approximately $1,500 last year;  these funds helped with the purchase of additional computers for the children and staff, fund a workshop for teens on how to write exceptional essays for scholarship applications, brought a renowned New York author, formerly from Holly, for a book signing, helped with the children’s summer reading program and end-of-summer picnic, paid for weekly summer entertainment, purchased tables for the conference room, and sent two librarians to a state conference.  Proceeds from this year’s circus will continue to support our library that serves three townships – Holly, Rose, and Groveland, as well as the Village of Holly.

There is something for everyon...

Another view could be the “uncosted” benefits.  Parents and grandparents brought their children and grandchildren to see an old fashioned, traveling circus.  They enjoyed the animal acts, the lady on the flying trapeze, the juggler, and the clowns.  They also delighted in munching on peanuts and popcorn and listening to the ring master and the music.  It was good, wholesome, family fun entertainment.  It was our COMMUNITY coming together.  Over 50 groups and businesses have supported us this year.  We are so proud of our wonderful community.  The clowns recognized this on Aug. 2 when they were in our town and one became misty-eyed when he observed all the out-pouring of love and pride our community has for each other.  And this – ladies and gentlemen and children of all ages – is priceless.