by Eric Millirons, special correspondent

When one thinks on past activities that brought joy to the heart, frequently, thoughts of a circus come to mind. Children would sit wide-eyed and mesmerized by the clowns, aerialists, animals and trainers. What joy it brought to their hearts. But, what if they could not see the performance and acrobatics? Would a circus hold the same attention or feeling?

All circuses have been referred to as the “Big Top.” Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Circus may have achieved another nickname – the “Big Heart.”

Approximately 30 children with special needs along with their parents, grandparents, and aids descended on the Coliseum in Richmond for a “Touch Tour” of the circus in the cold of the morning on Friday, Feb. 20. Included in this group was Dawn Peifer of Midlothian, who is the President of the Virginia Association for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments (VAAPVI). She had brought Kimberley and Kelsey Drudge with her for this experience. Just inside the doors, the first comment of what was to come was overheard.  “It’s gonna be fun.”

How little did anyone realize what that simple statement would represent.

Taking the elevator to the floor of the Coliseum, the group was led out to its center where stands had been erected just for this occasion and where four participating stations had been set up.

Each station highlighted one facet of the circus. There was a horse at one, a pony at another, two show dogs at the third and a costume center at the forth. With the main group divided into quarters, each was led to the stations by the folks with the biggest hearts in the circus world – the Clowns. As the children petted the animals, the moment created expressions of joy and, on occasion, trepidation. Overall, it was a moment of pleasure for these visually impaired youngsters, getting the chance of a lifetime to feel what they could not totally see.

While the event was for the young people, it was also about the employees of the circus. Often we only observe the job they perform and not the heart of gold that lies underneath. Expressions of joy were not only on the faces of the children, but also on those of the performers. This was exemplified by Leah Christaina, a first year aerialist and elephant rider who had assumed the job of emcee for the event. At one point, with her face beaming, she said, “I saw one of the little girls petting the horse and her face just lit up.”

The interaction with the clowns was also something to behold. Cowboy Clown, who said he got into this business because he always “clowned around” and “might as well get paid for it”, sat with a child confined to a wheelchair, holding her hand and letting her know that he was there for her. As regards the tour for these children, he said, “I love it. It’s exciting to see the different reactions to the different things.”

Over in the wardrobe area, the youngsters were trying on actual outfits worn by the circus performers. They were feeling how it is to be a circus performer and wear such neat costumes. Nearby were some props used in the The Greatest Show On Earth®  which included a small barrel like device that the children climbed into and merrily rolled around. However, the main event was yet to come.

Once regrouped at the stands, the highlight of the day was set. In the center of the Coliseum a small barrier in the shape of a horseshoe was inflated. With that complete, in came Asia, the elephant, and her animal handler.

Asia is a longtime circus performer, probably having outlived numerous of her handlers, as she is 42 years old. She is not small either, since she tips the scales at about four tons – that’s 8,000 pounds. Once the children were told they could come and touch Asia, there was a surge of parents and children. Besides touching the elephant, some asked questions of the handler. One asked what was on her head and the handler replied, “That’s her headpiece.”

Briefly pausing, and running his answer through his mind, he obviously felt his response was insufficient and elaborated saying, “It’s sorta like a baseball cap.”

Dawn Peifer described the event very succinctly, and yet ever so eloquently, when she said “It was awesome!”

When the children rubbed and petted Asia’s trunk, their faces told the story of their day at the Touch Tour of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey® Circus. They had participated in a great event: to get up close and actually touch an elephant, to interact with professional clowns, to dress in the costumes of circus performers and mainly to enjoy the Greatest Show On Earth® – a circus with a heart of gold for children of all ages and abilities.

As Asia left the arena, one small boy told his mother, “I liked the elephant the best, but I wish she had trumpeted.” Fond memories arise from thoughts such as these.

For details about the Virginia Assoc. for Parents of Children with Visual Impairments (VAAPVI)
go to http://www.vaapvi.org.