Moolah Shrine Circus Event Set to be Greatest Show on Earth and Above

(This is my brief, unedited piece soon to be published in the MidRivers Newsmagazine)

     There was not a moment’s hesitation when Circus Director Ron Reynolds was asked about the featured performer at this year’s Moolah Shrine event, held March 19-22 at the St. Charles Family Arena at 2002 Arena Parkway.

     “We actually have Bello Nock this year!” Reynolds announced. “He’s the famous clown daredevil with orange hair. He’s a really big name who gets around, and used to be with the Barnum and Bailey Circus.”

     Not only does Nock’s orange hair stick straight up to the sky, but his entire being is often seen high up as well. Born just a year before Neil Armstrong first walked on the moon, Nock has been known to do a variety of death-defying events far off the ground like atop cruise ships and over the Statue of Liberty.

     Back in the summer of 2017, Bello Nock was shot from a cannon over the rotating blades of a helicopter.  That occurred on an episode of “America’s Got Talent.”

     But Nock is not the only performer at this year’s 78^th annual event with strong…ahem… pedigree from that popular television show.  Patrons will even be able to pose for pictures with the Olate (family) dogs that captured the $1 million grand prize in the 2012 season.  The Olates have also appeared at numerous college and professional basketball game halftime shows, circuses and several other venues.

     Tickets for those photo opportunities as well as elephant, pony and train rides plus face painting, a giant slide and a bounce house can be purchased and enjoyed starting an hour before and immediately after each show.

     “We have tigers and five elephants,” Reynolds said.  “The elephants are for the shows and for riding.  The State of Illinois doesn’t allow elephants, but we have them here!”

     The authentic three-ring circus also features incredible high-wire trapeze artists, beautiful Arabian stallions, hilarious clowns, and the show is capped off by an unforgettable FMX motorcycle finale. The venue also offers a wide array of popular carnival type refreshments.

     Tickets for all of the eight shows, ranging in price from $18.50 to $38.50, can be purchased at various times at the Family Arena (636-896-4200) or 24 hours a day from Ticketmaster at https://familyarena.com/ or the Moolah site, https://moolah.org/.  The latter site also offers a free child ticket for age 12 and under for each paid general admission ticket.

     A decent amount of the events’ profits go toward helping with the annual budget of the Moolah Shrine Center at the 12545 Fee Fee Road location.  They have been in that former Parkway North Jr. High building since 1987.

     Per the Moolah website, “Shriners are distinguished by an enjoyment of life and a commitment to philanthropy. They enjoy parades, trips, dances, dinners, sporting events and other social occasions. They support what has been called the ‘World’s Greatest Philanthropy,’ Shriners Hospitals for Children, a network of 22 pediatric specialty hospitals, operated and maintained by the Shriners.”