From Don Covington

Bad weather forces Cole Bros Circus cancellation Circus offers refund for canceled Bluffton shows Published: March 25, 2013 By TOM BARTON — tbarton@islandpacket.com Hilton Head Island Packet Hilton Head, South Carolina A circus featuring tigers and elephants said bad weather -- not protesters -- prompted it to cancel its Bluffton shows originally set for Monday and today. The Cole Bros. Circus called off all of its shows at Buckwalter Place because of safety concerns after the weekend's heavy rains, according to the circus' marketing director. Those who purchased advance tickets should call 1-888-332-5200 to receive a refund, Tom Renesto said. Numbers of tickets sold and how many ticket-holders had requested a refund were not immediately available Monday afternoon, Renesto said. The area received 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches of rain from 7 a.m. Saturday to 7 a.m. Monday, according to the National Weather Service in Charleston. Standing water on the circus site made the owner doubtful the big top could be safely staked down, Renesto said. "We think safety first and won't take chances of putting anyone at risk of getting hurt," he said. "Any shows we put on, whether in South Carolina, Kansas or California, if there is a safety issue due to weather of any kind, we'll cancel the show." He said the cancellation had nothing to do with plans by two local women to picket the performances over complaints of animal mistreatment.