Red Ribbon Week starts Oct. 23

Death-defying stunts, wacky antics, and family-friendly fun invited all to the Polk County Fairgrounds where the Lewis & Clark Circus recently set up shop during their countrywide tour.

The 100-minute shows saw those both young and old get involved for their weekend dose of clowns, acrobatics, food, and much more presented in a European circus style.

Entering the Big Top, the spotlight immediately directed viewers’ attention to the center ring where contortionists forced themselves through tiny spaces, trained pigeons stole hats, acrobats dangled themselves by a thread, and clowns teased the audience.

For many local youth, the circus was like nothing else they’d seen.

“My favorite one was the guy who could eat the fire,” attendee Sam Price said during the late September event. “I don’t think I want to try it, but it was super cool.”

Whether getting face painting or cheering from the seats, the circus offered plenty of opportunities to get involved.

One group of girls ended up competing in musical chairs with a clown, and plenty of others managed to get family pictures with the dancing pigeons.

Circus-lovers interested in the show will be disappointed to find Lewis and Clark no longer performing in Georgia, but tickets for their upcoming Alabama shows can be purchased at www.lewisandclarkcircus.net.

Advance ticket prices are $12 for those 15 and above; children 14 and under can receive free admission with a coupon found on the site. Tickets purchased on the day of the show are $17 each for adults and $5 for children 14 and younger.

The Lewis and Clark circus was founded by Bob Childress, former owner of the Hendricks Bros. Circus, who aimed to make the show smaller and more efficient than his previous show.

Childress would later sell Lewis and Clark to Lena and Vandier dos Reis, who still run it to this day.

National Red Ribbon Week has returned to once again highlight the importance of all things drug prevention, and Polk County Commission Chair Jennifer Hulsey formally announced the county’s observance of the October 23 through 31 campaign during a recent meeting.

‘Life is Your Journey. Travel Drug-Free’ is confirmed as the 2018 theme, which also marks the campaign’s 32nd year of raising drug awareness.

The observance began in 1985 after Enrique ‘Kiki’ Camarena- a drug enforcement agent- was murdered in the line of duty. Communities around the world began to wear red ribbons to highlight the destruction and remorse caused by drug abuse, and the program is now primarily used to warn youth about the dangers of drugs through various events.

Schools and communities often make drug-pacts, make up a theme for next year’s Red Ribbon Week, participate in the Miles of Quarters campaigns, participate in essay contests, and more. Local schools often have a different theme for each day of Red Ribbon Week such as hat days and wearing jerseys.

“We urge all citizens to join us in this special observance,” Hulsey said.

Those interested in more information about the campaign and ways to get involved should consider visiting http://redribbon. org/.