From Don Covington

bilde, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. The air was stifling under the big top Thursday afternoon, but that didn't stop sweat-drenched children from jumping up and down in the packed bleachers as Ringmaster Chris Conners officially opened the Cole Bros. Circus. Two-year-old Isabella Woodbury could hardly contain her excitement, trotting 5 feet in front of her parents chanting, “Elephants. Elephants,” as they searched for a free seat. Her father, Gene, was watching her closely. “It's her first circus and she's so excited about seeing these elephants. It's all I can do to keep up with her in this sea of kids.” A 20-minute delay gave stragglers extra time to find seats and early birds the chance to snack on popcorn, cotton candy and drinks delivered from trays balanced on vendor's heads. The crowd gasped as the lights dimmed and two cages filled with orange and white tigers entered the ring. The audience roared with laughter as one tiger balanced on cylinders that lit up at the touch of a paw, perfectly timed to the theme from “The Pink Panther.” The real crowd pleaser happened when two tigers simultaneously jumped back and forth through blazing rings of fire. Andrea Chapman brought her younger brother, Kyle, 10, as a favor to her mother. She was surprised to see how much fun the circus can be for all ages. “When I got here I immediately felt like a kid again,” she said. “I was watching the clowns and laughing so hard my brother looked at me like I was crazy. I had forgotten how good it feels to enjoy something so silly.” Other acts garnered just as much laughter and applause, including the parade of camels, llamas, zebras and ponies. The zebras got most of the attention as they tried to break rank and run freely throughout the ring. At intermission, Amanda Putnam waited in line for camel rides with her2-year-old daughter, Charlotte. “She loves animals more than anything, so this means everything to her right now,” said Putnam. “I think the whole thing is just too much for her to take in. She's in awe of all the lights and sparkles and dancing ladies, too.” Other attractions under this year's big top are the aerial ballet, free style motor show, motorcycles that take on the Globe of Death, and Super Kellan human cannonball. Chris Bunch brought his sons Alex, 6, and Zachary, 2, to the circus for Zachary's first time. “We are having so much fun,” Bunch said. “I love getting to see the excitement on their faces every time something new comes into the ring.”