Loomis Bros. Circus comes to Brooksville
Loomis Bros. Circus is scheduled to entertain Brooksville residents once again during another visit to the Hernando County Fairgrounds Thursday and Friday. This year, proceeds will benefit the Florida International Teaching Zoo, a not for profit organization that takes in retired exotic circus animals.
The company has brought its classic show to Brooksville for the past eight years, delighting audiences with family entertainment that fills childhood memories.
Loomis has been a Brooksville favorite off and on since the early 1990s, said Producer and Ring Master Justin Loomis.
“We love coming here,” he said.
Loomis Bros. Circus is still conducted with the traditions that have made the circus a joyous event for children and adults.
“We still do all the circus animals,” Loomis said, despite an ongoing move to have animals removed from the traditional circus lineup.
“Not while I’m alive,” said Loomis. The animals are the show, he added. “I receive more praise for our animals than anything else.”
Loomis Bros. Circus is the only American circus that has both African and Asian elephants. It also has Siberian white and Bengal tigers.
“Our animals are treated better than we are,” Loomis said.
“They do their few minutes of glory and are free to relax while I work 25 hour day,” he said with a chuckle.
But Loomis Bros. offers much more, including Dominquez Canine Aristocrats, a Columbian family whose 4-year-old son works with a crew of dancing poodles.
The Matagriov’s Magical Costume Transformation features two Russians who change into ten different outfits in three minutes, directly in front of the audience without any smoke or barricade.
And “Florida’s Favorite Clown,” Kasha, will entertain the crowd with his approachable and endearing creativity from nearly a lifetime of professional clowning around.
Show times are 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday and tickets are $20 per adult with two free children admissions (ages 12 and under) for each paying adult. Tickets can be purchased on the website at www.loomiscircus.com or with cash at the box office the day of the performances. Gates open one hour prior to showtime.
Loomis Brothers Circus benefits local organizations, such as the Boys & Girls Clubs, Chamber of Commerce, 4-H and other youth leagues.
The circus will be in Bushnell at the Sumter County Youth Center on Saturday and Sunday. For more information.
Email Hernando Today correspondent Kim Dame at [email protected].
