By Jenet Krol
Krol@hometownnewsol.com
It's time to clown around in Brevard County.
The Cole Brothers Circus, which has been a regular visitor to the Melbourne area for more than 20 years, will return again and make a special stop at the Merritt Square Mall.
This is the first time that the circus will come to Merritt Island. The location was chosen because of the family atmosphere of the area, said Bob Harper, marketing director for the Cole Brothers Circus.
A Titusville resident, Mr. Harper knew the Merritt Square Mall would be a good location for residents of Northern Brevard.
"Merritt Square Mall is one of the main shopping destinations in Brevard County, and it's a good location for families," he said.
The circus, which is based in DeLand, donates its proceeds to the Melbourne Kiwanis Club.
It features 60 performers and a menagerie of animals including elephants, camels, horses, dogs and ponies.
Shows run for two hours and feature jugglers, clowns, aerial ballerinas, high wire routines, motorcycle daredevils and a three tier human-pyramid that is topped by an 11-year-old acrobat who performs a handstand while balancing atop seven men, said Mr. Harper.
One of the main highlights is the human cannonball, said Mr. Harper.
Billed as "Super Kellan," Kellan Bermudez of Equador bursts from a cannon and flies 65 miles an hour to land safely in a net 80 feet away.
"I like flying the best," said Mr. Kellan, who has been performing with Cole Brothers Circus for the past 12 years.
An acrobat and daredevil, Mr. Kellan started his career in the circus as a trapeze artist and also runs, spins and jumps on the "Wheel of Destiny," a wheel that spins 10 feet in the air.
"It's scary, but it's my passion," said Mr. Kellan.
Performing with the circus is also a family affair, as Mr. Kellan's parents, brother and sister perform with Cole Brothers.
Mr. Kellan said he is excited about coming to Merritt Island this year, and will be happy to get to perform to a new crowd.
"We've been coming to Melbourne for years and love it every year. It's going to be great (to come to) Merritt Island and see some new people," he said.
The tent will go up in Merritt Island at the Merritt Square Mall, Nov. 9 from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Anyone who comes to the tent-raising and brings canned food to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida in West Melbourne, will get a pair of free tickets to the circus show, said Mr. Harper.
The circus will be in Merritt Island at the Merritt Square Mall, 777 East Merritt Island Causeway, from Nov. 9 to Nov. 11 with show times at 4:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
The circus will then travel to Melbourne at Wickham Park Pavillion, 2500 Parkway Drive, and will offer shows from Nov. 16 through Nov. 18 with show times at 4:30 and 7:30.
Tickets for adults are $12 in advance and $17 at the door. Children 12 years old and younger can obtain free tickets at freekidstickets.com.
Advance tickets are available at www.tickets.com or by calling toll-free at (888) 332-5200.
For more information, visit www.gotothecircus.com or call toll-free (800) 796-5672.
Editor's note: The Cole Brothers Circus has posted a video on YouTube, "125 years in show business," which can be viewed by clicking here.