Step right up …
By: John Patten – Managing Editor
Manville will be a Mecca for circus-lovers in coming weeks, with two coming to town.
First up will be the Vidbel Circus, whose Aug. 28-29 appearance will benefit Manville Volunteer Fire Company No. 1, followed by the Big Apple Circus, setting up on the site of the former Rustic Mall Sept. 23 to Oct. 11.
"This is what we’re hoping will be an annual event," Ray Walsh, a member of the fire company helping to organize the event, said. "We would love the support because all proceeds go to the fire company."
Last year, Fire Company No. 1 sponsored an appearance by the Cole Brothers Circus, but this year, the company chose to go with a slightly smaller group. Mr. Walsh said each of the three shows scheduled daily – at 2 p.m., 5 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. – will have 1,000 seats available.
"So everyone should make sure to get tickets for the date and show they want to help the fire company," he said.
Tickets are also lower than last year, priced at $8 until Aug. 27, and $12 at the gate (last year’s prices were $12 in advance and $17 at the gate). The tickets are available at the fire company on South Third Avenue from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. daily, Frank’s Pizzaria and Family Restaurant, and Nelson’s Corner Family Restaurant in Hillsborough.
As with last year’s inaugural event, the circus will set up on Gerber Field on Dukes Parkway.
Vidbel’s Circus features several family acts in its "Original Olde Tyme Circus Under the Big Top," including the Alvarez Family’s "teeter board act" and foot juggling by the Ashton Family. More information about the circus is available at www.circusvidbel.com.
Mr. Walsh said the proceeds from the show will be used to supplant any lost funding from the borough, and used to maintain the firefighter’s preparedness.
"We need to raise as much as we can to fill in the gap and make sure the fire company is the best it can be," he said. "(Firefighters) have to go to school … to be very professional."
As for the competition from the Big Apple Circus, Mr. Walsh said he’s not too worried.
"We were here first, and we’re here first again," he noted. "They’re coming in because of a conflict in scheduling, but we’re definitely the better price."
The Big Apple Circus has been appearing in recent years at the TD Bank Ballpark on Main Street in Bridgewater, but a conflict with the schedule for the Somerset Patriots prevented the circus from being able to use the ballpark. Organizers set their sights on the vacant Rustic Mall site, and received Planning Board approval last month.
Tickets for the Big Apple Circus range from $20 to $50, and are available at the website at www.bigapplecircus.org. Check the website for showtimes.

